Unicorn Theatre

Unicorn Theatre

Unicorn Theatre
Unicorn Theatre
Location within Central London
Address Tooley Street
London, SE1
United Kingdom
Coordinates 51°30′16″N 0°04′54″W / 51.504496°N 0.081677°W / 51.504496; -0.081677
Public transit London Underground National Rail London Bridge
Owner Unicorn Trust
Type Receiving and producing house
Capacity 290–seat (main)
100–seat (studio theatre)
Production Guest productions
Construction
Opened 2005 (2005)
Architect Keith Williams
Website
unicorntheatre.com

The Unicorn Theatre is the UK's leading theatre for audiences aged 2–21. The theatre has its home in a custom-built, RIBA Award–winning building on Tooley Street, in the London Borough of Southwark, which opened in 2005.[1] The theatre was designed by Keith Williams, built by Arup and comprises two theatre spaces (the Weston and Clore Theatres), an education studio, rehearsal space, café and the John Lyon meeting room.

The theatre was founded in 1947, by Caryl Jenner, originally as a Mobile Theatre; In 1961, Jenner began presenting children's productions at the Arts Theatre in the West End, and in 1967 the company took over the lease of the theatre which then became Unicorn's permanent performing base until 1999; during this period the normal run of adult performances continued during the evenings.[2]

The Unicorn is a registered charity and is an Arts Council England National Portfolio organisation.

Origins

From 1944 Caryl Jenner wrote Christmas pantomimes for small-time playhouses. During performances she would make note of the behaviour of the children, recording what scenes and sequences held their attention, and which did not. She began to formulate the principles that would guide her theatre and writing. In 1947 the ‘Mobile Theatre’ was born. Caryl's mission was to drive around the austere post-war towns of Britain, as well as isolated villages to bring theatre to new audiences. They supplemented their income by performing to adults in the evenings but their goal was always to captivate the minds and imagination of children.

The ‘Mobile Theatre’ continued to grow in reputation, gaining success and acclaim. In 1950 it changed its name to ‘The Caryl Jenner Mobile Theatre’, to signify Caryl’s influence. In 1962, the name changed again, to the ‘Unicorn Theatre Club’. In 1967, the company gave up touring and took up the lease at the Arts Theatre in London, receiving a £10,000 annual grant from the Arts Council, which remained its home until the present Unicorn Theatre was built in 2005. Caryl Jenner died on the 29th of January 1973 at the age of 55. She left behind a theatre with national acclaim and a clear set of artistic principles.

Presidents

The current president is Juliet Stevenson, who took over from Sir Alan Ayckbourn CBE in 2007.

Artistic Directors

Awards

TMA Equity Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN (2001)

Arts Council Award for Best New Play for Children

Writers’ Guild Award for Best New Play for Children and Young People

Theatre Centre Brian Way Award for Best New Play for Young People

Eleanor Farjeon Award (For an outstanding contribution to the world of children’s books)

Linbury Prize for Stage Design

Time Out Top 5 Best Shows for Family Audiences

References

  1. ↑ "Unicorn Theatre London : Architecture Information". e-architect, UK. Retrieved February 5, 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ↑ "Arts Theatre and Unicorn Theatre Archive, 1902-1982". Theatre Collections. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK. Retrieved February 5, 2012.

Sources

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