Gate Theatre, London
The Gate Theatre is a 70-seat venue in London’s Notting Hill, with a strong focus on international drama. The theatre is renowned for its inventive use of space and for championing the careers of young artists. The Gate claims to be 'a springboard of opportunity', allowing emerging theatre-makers to make their mark. The Gate is famous for being one of the most flexible and transformable spaces in London.
The current joint Artistic Directors are Natalie Abrahami and Carrie Cracknell . The Gate Theatre is supported by Arts Council England.
The Gate nurtures and supports actors, directors and designers to make bold and innovative work. Artists who have worked at the theatre include Stephen Daldry, Lez Brotherston, Kathy Burke, Dominic Cooke, Wolfgang Goebbel, Sir Peter Hall, Ed Hogg, Richard Hudson, Paterson Joseph, Sarah Kane, Alex Kingston, Jude Law, Nancy Meckler, Katie Mitchell, Sophie Okonedo, Emma Rice, Ian Rickson and Rachel Weisz.
History
In 1979 Lou Stein, an American theatrical entrepreneur with visionary ideas and a strong interest in European theatre and politics, applied for the lease of a run down studio over an equally run down pub, The Prince Albert, in bohemian Notting Hill. The Prince Albert’s neighbours were artists, philosophers, writers and vagrants, perfect company for a burgeoning theatre with radical ideas.
The London Times reflected the Gate’s rapidly growing reputation:
“Lou Stein has transformed a room above a public house in Notting Hill into a theatre with a remarkable repertoire. In a space not much larger than a cupboard he has adapted and presented novels, and resurrected plays that have been grossly neglected elsewhere in Britain.”
From the very first there was strong local support for the theatre - John Cleese gave the first donation of £10 towards Stein’s work. The theatre continues to have an army of loyal local supporters today.
In 1985 Stein handed over the reigns to Giles Croft and in 1990 the Gate became home to an ambitious young director, Stephen Daldry, who cemented its reputation as a place of international tastes and talents. Between 1992 and 2007, the Gate was home to equally visionary artistic directors: Laurence Boswell, David Farr, Mick Gordon, Erica Whyman and Thea Sharrock each made a huge impact on the tiny space. The Gate has won numerous awards and attracted many up-and-coming actors who have gone on to impressive careers.
Productions
Current Productions
- 16 April - 16 May 2009, Nocturnal by Juan Mayorga. Translated by David Johnston
- 28 - 30 May 2009, Press Created & Performed by Pierre Rigal. The Gate at Sadler's Wells
- 18 June - 18 July 2009, Medea/Medea Directed & Translated by Dylan Tighe. Winner of Gate/Headlong New Directions 2 Award
Production Archive
- 5 February - 7 March 2009, Unbroken by Alexandra Wood. Inspired by Arthur Schnitzler's La Ronde
- 6 November - 13 December 2008, State of Emergency by Falk Richter. Translated by David Tushingham
- 29 October - 1 November 2008, I Am Falling The Gate at Sadler's Wells
- 21 August - 4 October 2008, Hedda by Henrik Ibsen. Adapted by Lucy Kirwood
- 5 June - 5 July 2008, ...Sisters by Anton Chekhov. Adpated & Directed by Chris Goode. Winner of Gate/Headlong New Directions 1 Award
- 3 April - 3 May 2008, The Internationalist by Anne Washburn
- 16 April - 18 April 2008, Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat By Mark Ravenhill. Armageddon & Women in Love
- 15 February - 8 March 2008, Press Created & Performed by Pierre Rigal
- 4 January - 2 February 2008, I Am Falling
- 1 November - 1 December 2007, The Car Cemetery by Fernando Arrabal. Translated by Barbara Wright.
- 31 August - 29 September 2007, The [...] Neuroses of Our Parents by Lukas Burfuss. Translated by Neil Blackadder