The Tabard Theatre To Close For Refurb

As it prepares to open under new management

The Tabard Theatre has almost finished its negotiations to ensure that the pub theatre will continue, this time under new management. The venue is also expected to close next month for a refurbishment and formally open in March.

Fred Perry, who has been involved in running and programming the theatre for several years, is expected to stay on at the Tabard when it reopens. He told The Stage that the final stages had been reached in agreeing a new lease between the pub company, Greene King, and new management.

The fringe venue in Chiswick had been leased to theatre company Pulling Focus since 2005. This came to an end at the end of 2016 and the lease has not been renewed. The 96-seat theatre closed before Christmas.

Circumstances around the closure remain unclear. However, the site's owner, pub company Greene King, is in discussions with new management to take over the running of the theatre.

Perry told The Stage that the pub's management was "very keen to see it remain as a theatre".

"To that end, a theatre company is in the final stages of agreeing a new lease with Greene King to ensure that the popular local venue opens again soon," he said.

Seven Letters by Rian Flatley, will be staged from 1 - 4 February 2017 - it has been described as "a poignant thought-provoking story of three spirited women whose circumstances have brought them together."

"The theatre will then be closed again for a period of refurbishment and is due to open formally again in March. More details about the plans for the theatre and the upcoming season will be announced soon," Perry added

The adjacent pub is Grade II*-listed and is an Asset of Community Value.

January 28, 2017