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Our wonderful Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher gives us an insight into running the King’s Head Theatre!
I’ve been here as the Artistic Director since 2010. When I first started, I was Artistic Director of OperaUpClose and turned the venue into ‘London’s Little Opera House.’ The company moved on at the end of 2014 but I stayed and refashioned the King’s Head Theatre as the charity that you know today.
I guess the short answer is everything. The artistic part of my job involves deciding what shows to stage, which companies to work with and which artists to bring into the building, as well as writing and directing my own work.
I spend a lot of time in meetings (particularly as we fundraise for the move into our new home) and working with other organisations that share our vision for a better, fairer industry (and society). On any given day I could be doing the washing up, meeting the local council, at a press night or at the Olivier Awards. It’s a wonderful, exciting job; you never know what’s going to land on your desk next!
I love the variety! No two days are ever the same and I get to meet and work alongside so many wonderful people from so many different walks of life. The most rewarding thing is definitely being able to give artists and theatre makers opportunities that they wouldn’t get elsewhere.
That collaboration exists at every level of theatre, not just in the rehearsal room. There are always two ways to do things and they usually come out at the same result; so why not choose the kinder?
There’s no way I’d ever be able to choose just one so I’m going to give you three! First up, 94 year old Thelma Ruby’s spectacular one-woman show That’s Entertainment, Jessica Lazar’s beautiful, poetic revival of David Greig’s Outlying Islands and Mary Franklin’s disruptive, exciting, radical new version of Bizet’s Carmen.
I began a vegan diet a couple of years ago, but before that you can bet your life I did! Back then my favourite was the unsung hero stem ginger. Now you’ll find me tucking into a mango sorbet, which is delicious!
Also By Kings Head Theatre:
Manchester’s Gay Village: Then and Now
Beauty And The Beast: A Gender Swap Performance
The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. Passionate about championing ethically produced fringe theatre, we are known for our challenging work and support of young artists. Last year 116,151 audience members saw a show of ours: 44,607 at our 110-seater home on Upper Street and 71,544 elsewhere. At our home in Islington we had 774 performances last year of 95 different shows. We are committed to fighting prejudice through the work we stage, the artists and staff we work with and by producing work for minority audience groups. We believe in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work; work we are passionate about. Last year we announced the theatre is on the move. Subject to a fundraising campaign, the King’s Head Theatre will move into a custom-built space in the heart of Islington Square, directly behind its current home securing the future of the venue for generations to come.
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