Tricycle Theatre

Tricycle Theatre was a theatre company and arts centre located in Kilburn, London, founded by Ken Campbell and Hilton McRae in 1980, with support from Glenda Jackson and Victoria Wood. The theatre was known for its innovative and diverse productions, often featuring works by Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Samuel Beckett. Over the years, the Tricycle Theatre collaborated with renowned companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. The theatre also hosted productions by notable playwrights like Tom Stoppard and Caryl Churchill, and featured performances by acclaimed actors including Ian McKellen and Judi Dench.

● History

The Tricycle Theatre was established in 1980, with its first production being a performance of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Hilton McRae and featuring Zoë Wanamaker and Jim Broadbent. The theatre quickly gained a reputation for its bold and eclectic programming, which included works by Bertolt Brecht, Henrik Ibsen, and Anton Chekhov. In the 1980s, the Tricycle Theatre was also a hub for fringe theatre and experimental theatre, hosting productions by companies like the Theatre de Complicite and the Wooster Group. The theatre's early success was also due in part to the support of Laurence Olivier and the Royal Court Theatre.

● Productions

The Tricycle Theatre was known for its diverse and innovative productions, which often explored themes of social justice and human rights. The theatre produced works by notable playwrights such as Athol Fugard, Wole Soyinka, and Dario Fo, and featured performances by acclaimed actors including Vanessa Redgrave and Ralph Fiennes. The theatre also hosted productions of classic plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Importance of Being Earnest, as well as more contemporary works like The Vagina Monologues and The Laramie Project. The Tricycle Theatre also collaborated with companies like the Young Vic and the Almeida Theatre on productions of plays like Hamlet and The Wild Duck.

● Venue

The Tricycle Theatre was located in a converted cinema in Kilburn, London, and had a seating capacity of 230. The theatre's intimate setting and flexible design made it an ideal space for a wide range of productions, from small-scale dramas to large-scale musicals. The theatre's box office was also known for its innovative ticketing system, which included a lottery system for allocating seats to popular productions. The Tricycle Theatre was also located near the Kilburn Tube station, making it easily accessible by London Underground.

● Artistic Directors

The Tricycle Theatre had several artistic directors throughout its history, including Ken Campbell, Hilton McRae, and Nicolas Kent. Nicolas Kent was the theatre's longest-serving artistic director, leading the company from 1984 to 2012 and overseeing productions of plays like The Colour of Justice and The Riots. The theatre's artistic directors were known for their commitment to producing innovative and thought-provoking works, and for their support of emerging playwrights and theatre companies. The Tricycle Theatre also had a close relationship with the Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Barbican Centre.

● Awards and Recognition

The Tricycle Theatre received numerous awards and nominations throughout its history, including several Olivier Awards and Evening Standard Awards. The theatre's production of The Colour of Justice won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in 1999, and the theatre's production of Frost/Nixon won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play in 2006. The Tricycle Theatre was also nominated for several Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards for its productions of plays like The History Boys and The Norman Conquests. The theatre's work was also recognized by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the Royal Television Society.

● Closure and Legacy

The Tricycle Theatre closed its doors in 2019, after 39 years of operation. The theatre's closure was met with an outpouring of support from the theatre community, with tributes from companies like the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Tricycle Theatre's legacy continues to be felt, with many of its productions being revived and re-staged by other companies. The theatre's commitment to producing innovative and thought-provoking works has also inspired a new generation of theatre makers, including companies like the Young Vic and the Almeida Theatre. The Tricycle Theatre's impact on the London theatre scene was also recognized by the Mayor of London and the London Borough of Brent. Category:Theatres in London