The Bridge Theatre

Spearheaded by Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr, the Bridge Theatre is the first commercial theatre to be built in central London since 1973, when the New London Theatre officially opened. The Bridge Theatre is located outside the West End, overlooking the River Thames and Tower Bridge. 

Having worked together at the National Theatre for over a decade as artistic and executive directors, Hytner and Starr formed the London Theatre Company as part of their efforts to open what is the largest commercial theatre not in the West End. 

The 900-seater auditorium is very adaptable, much like the National Theatre’s Doorman space, and allows shows to be presented in end-on, thrust and promenade formats. 

In 2017, the theatre announced its inaugural season which included a new Richard Bean play Young Marx, starring Rory Kinnear and Oliver Chris, Julius Caesar starring Ben Whishaw and David Calder, and a new play by Nina Raine about the life of JS Bach starring Simon Russell Beale. 

Production aside, the theatre was praised for its abundance of ladies toilets (a regular grievance amongst many theatregoers) and its kitchen which, among other things, provides treats freshly baked on site during the interval.