Away from the limelight

London is spoilt with its choice for stage shows, with long-standing plays like The Mousetrap, new musicals like Clueless and experimental comedy and sketch shows popping up in pub theatres across the capital. But more often than not, audiences find themselves on autopilot, rushing towards the West End in search of entertainment, without considering the productions on offer away from this cultural hub.

The term ‘Off-West End’ can refer to a few things. Most obviously, it refers to theatres that are outside the West End district of London, but it can also refer to smaller venues with a smaller capacity for seating, as well as theatres that support emerging creatives rather than commercial shows that present existing IP. Off-West End shows often take creative risks, are bold in their choice of topics, contemporary in their perspective and exciting for audiences to engage with.