New theatre to open in Ladbroke Grove

A new theatre is to open in west London in October.

The Playground Theatre was originally founded in 2001 as a space for artists to explore theatrical ideas, without being a fully fledged venue. After restoration and conversion, with a budget of £270,000, the Playground Theatre will open as a venue with a seating capacity of up to 200 with a flexible stage and two dressing rooms.

Anthony Biggs, who has run the Jermyn Street Theatre for the last four years, will become co-artistic director with Peter Tate, who originally founded the space.

The theatre has seen people including John Caird, Marcell Magni, Simon McBurney and Rufus Norris all use the space for their work. The theatre will continue as a development and rehearsal studio during the day and will also feature a cafe bar.

Tate commented: "To create this theatre physically is one thing, but what happens beyond the 18th century theatre entrance doors is another. That is the challenge – to create work of a high quality that engages the audience. I am very excited about being joined by Anthony Biggs, as co-artistic director, as I knew, from our first meeting, that we were speaking the same language and that we would work very well together."

Biggs added: "The Playground is such a creative space and I'm thrilled to be joining it on the next stage on its journey. It has the potential to be the Almeida of West London."

The theatre is in Ladbroke Grove and ten minutes from Latimer Road tube station. The Playground's season will be announced later this spring.