King’s Head Theatre Islington: Steven Berkoff and Mark Gatiss amongst stars at farewell event

Mark Gatiss and Steven Berkoff were amongst some of the famous faces who attended the farewell event at the King’s Head Theatre as it closed its doors on its home for the last 53 years.

The popular Islington fringe venue is moving into a new, purpose-built space twice the size of the current venue. The King’s Head pub itself will remain open.

On Sunday evening, a goodbye gala was held with actors including Linda Marlowe and Dame Janet Suzman reviving roles they previously played at the north London venue.

Founded by Dan Crawford in 1970, the Upper Street venue is one of London’s oldest pub theatres and became a breeding ground for talent with the likes of Maureen Lipman, Hugh Grant, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Alan Rickman and Richard E Grant.

It was also where writers such as Berkoff, Tom Stoppard and Victoria Wood premiered their work

The King’s Head Theatre is renowned for showcasing LGBTQI+ work and its diverse programme of plays and musicals, opera, cabaret, comedy and drag.

Sunday evening’s performance was hosted by guest artistic director David Cumming and included snippets from popular plays at the venue over the years including Dynamo and Hello and Goodbye.

Gattis (Sherlock, Doctor Who) was joined by Ian Hallard, James Holmes and others for a reprisal performance of The Boys in the Band, which was the first ‘openly gay’ play at the West End when it premiered in the 1960s.

Berkoff made a surprise appearance at the event and made a gushing speech about the freedom the King’s Head Theatre gave him to put on his work.

The new King’s Head doesn’t yet have an official opening date, but it will feature a 200-seat auditorium and a 50-seat cabaret space, with contractors already on site.

Senior Producer Sofi Berenger said: “Our aim is to create a theatre space that can truly respond and react to artists and audiences, heralding a new era post-pandemic.

“We are also making sure to look back, reflect, honour and celebrate everything and everyone that has made King’s Head Theatre one of the leaders of London’s Fringe and independent theatre for 53 years.”