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First the Gurkhas, now Joanna Lumley helps to save Islington theatre
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent19 Feb 2010
The widow of the founder of the King's Head Theatre in Islington has bought the venue for £1.4 million — with the help of Joanna Lumley.
After 40 years of perilous finances, the long-term future of the pub theatre, where stars such as Hugh Grant forged their early careers, is now secure.
Stephanie Sinclaire, 55, wants to press ahead with plans to add a second storey, which would increase capacity from 120 seats to 199, a rehearsal studio and workshop.
The aim is for the King's Head to return to being a full-time producer of its own works as it was under her late husband Dan Crawford, who founded it in 1970.
The deal was concluded with the help of Lumley, 64, a theatre patron, whose lobbying previously won “justice” for British Army Gurkha
soldiers.
She spearheaded the purchase campaign and helped persuade Giles Thorley, owner of Punch Taverns, to sell.
Ms Sinclaire said: “The King's Head Theatre is held in special affection by the theatrical community and loved by the public and we are delighted to have been able to ensure the show will go on ad infinitum.
"We will now begin a fund-raising campaign to enable the building to achieve its full potential.”
When Mr Crawford died and Ms Sinclaire took over five years ago the venue was massively in debt and had long since lost its public subsidy.
As a film producer, she knew it was easier to raise finance and spread the risk with a slate of films and applied the same principle to the theatre.
But the process has proved a struggle. “It's still very frustrating with no grant when people bring marvellous work and we can't just say snap,” she said. But taking control of the venue was “blooming marvellous”, she added.
The theatre has seen stars including Victoria Wood, Rupert Graves, Samuel West, Antony Sher and Alan Rickman appear in its productions. It has transferred more than 40 shows to the West End.
Reader views (2)
Excellent news,thank you Ms Lumley,i have had many wonderful evenings in that pub theater,thanks to you i will have many more.
- Kev, London uk, 19/02/2010 16:57
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Brilliant, good for them.
- Eastender, London, 19/02/2010 13:31
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