Production Proposal Guidelines
Southwark Playhouse is a Central London theatre presenting a year-round curated showcase of plays and musicals. Presented, by a variety of talented producers and visiting companies, each production benefits from an accessible and affordable venue package that includes production, ticketing, FOH, and marketing support.
Our programme is curated by our programming team, led by Artistic Director, Chris Smyrnios. We judge each proposal based on content, production values and viability.
We tend to prioritise projects that meet our General Priorities, as well as the Space Specific priorities, all outlined below.
Do check this page frequently as we will periodically review our programming priorities.
General Priorities
- We are looking to present entertaining, thought-provoking work by a diverse array of theatre makers across our three theatre spaces, as such we are open to theatre productions of all shapes and sizes, but we will lean towards productions that touch upon any one of the following:
- Plays or musicals by under-represented voices.
- Plays or musicals about under-represented, little told subjects.
- Productions that upturn or challenge conventional thinking.
- Productions that have a connection to the community in which Southwark Playhouse operates.
- We are looking to programme productions being presented in London for the first time (not presented anywhere previously within a 25-mile radius of Central London).
- We will consider transfers of London premiere productions from smaller London venues – but they must have been presented within the last 12 months, had a run of at least 14 performances, and can prove critical and box office success to make the step up to a larger capacity space.
- We would be keen to present London premiere productions from regional studio theatres looking to showcase their work in London.
Space Specific Guidelines and Information
Theatre Name: The Little
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough
Standard Seating Capacity: 134 seats
Specific Priorities:
- New plays
- Proposals from new or emerging theatre companies/producers.
- Productions with a company no larger than 6 performers/musicians.
- Productions running for no less than 3-5 weeks.
Theatre Name: The Large
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough
Standard Seating Capacity: 198 seats
Specific Priorities:
- New Plays
- New Musicals
- Classics or contemporary plays, with a twist
- Revivals of forgotten or little produced works.
- Productions with a company no larger than 8 performers/musicians.
- Productions running for no less than 4-8 weeks.
Theatre Name: Main Space
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Elephant
Standard Seating Capacity: 294 seats
Specific Priorities
- New Plays
- New Musicals
- Classics or contemporary plays, with a twist
- Revivals of forgotten or little produced works.
- Proposals from theatre companies/producers with a proven track record.
- Productions with a company no larger than 12 performers/musicians.
- Productions running for 4-8 weeks.
