Launch of new writing venue The Hope Theatre

<p>Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher and the creative team behind The Kings Head in Islington launched their new venue on Upper Street on Thursday night with an award winning double bill of exciting new writing.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/beckyharper">by Becky Harper</a> | 9th November 2013</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4601528786.jpg" width="460" height="739" alt="The Hope Theatre " title="The Hope Theatre "/></p> <p></p><p>The venue will be exclusively championing new writing and they are actively encouraging production companies to approach them with projects to stage. The venue receives no public subsidy and they aim to pay all their creative a wage in line with Equity’s Minimum wage guidelines, a rarity on the fringe circuit. </p><p>The current double bill of ‘Sandpits’ and ‘The League of St George’ are explosive and thought provoking pieces of writing, performed by an incredibly talented and passionate cast. In ‘The League of St George’ set in 1970’s Dagenham, they explore the issues faced by a young gay skinhead who falls in love with an Asian man. The intimacy of the space means the audience is consumed by the action. Laugh out loud comedy punctuated by live punk music performances by the actor musicians lead to a heart stopping emotional climax that leaves the audience reeling. </p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4601528785.jpg" width="459" height="305" alt="" title=""/></p> <p></p><p>By the chatter on the way out of the theatre, I saw how these powerful pieces had generated a passion in the audience and people talked of little else as they enjoyed a glass of wine in the bar after.</p><p>In this time of arts cuts, that not only affect our Theatres but according to Michael Gove will soon be affecting our educations, it can’t be emphasised enough how important these kind of venues are, giving new talent the opportunity to grow and develop. The venue certainly has a bright future ahead.</p><p></p><p>Book tickets here:</p><p></p><p><a href="https://kingsheadtheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873504565/events">https://kingsheadtheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873504565/events </a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p>