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Oscar French tells us about his role at the King’s Head Theatre, what he does day to day and what he loves most about working there.
Since the dawn of time. Otherwise known as March 2015. My job title is currently Marketing and Programme Manager.
It’s an incredibly varied role so no two days look the same. A typical day might begin with our weekly sales and marketing meeting followed by getting sign-off on a programme or press release, talking my wonderful Marketing Assistant through this week’s e-newsletter, having a contract meeting with a producer for a forthcoming late night production before heading off to a studio to art direct a cast photo shoot for our next opera. I might then head over to one of London’s many excellent fringe venues to see potential transfer work.
I think there’s something wonderfully romantic about pub theatres. I first came to the King’s Head Theatre back in 2010 and immediately fell in love with its threadbare glamour and sense of history. When looking to move to London from Birmingham in 2015, taking a Front of House job at the venue was a no-brainer. Four years and five job titles later I haven’t looked back.
The cold hard numbers man in me loves hitting a sales target and the creative free spirit loves designing a beautiful poster. Working alongside the fiendishly brilliant staff team is the greatest privilege in the world.
Theatre is inherently collaborative; embrace it rather than fighting it. Accept when things are beyond your control. Ask for help when you need it. A small change can have a huge impact. Don’t be a ****
Shock Treatment (the sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show) still holds a special place in my heart; audiences from all over the world flew to London and would turn up in full costume for ‘midnight matinees.’ It felt like we were making theatrical history. I’ve also loved Fat Rascal’s gender swapped parody of Beauty & the Beast, Tommy Murphy’s Strangers in Between, our Olivier Award nominated take on La bohème. I think our current show, Tennessee Williams double-bill, Southern Belles, is also really special.
There is no way you’ll get me to try mint flavour ice cream – it tastes of toothpaste – but I’ve tried most of the others. I’m particularly partial to stem ginger, coffee and strawberry.
Also By Kings Head Theatre:
What Do You Do? Artistic Director – Adam Spreadbury-Maher
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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