Step inside the newly opened Backstage at The Old Vic: the theatre’s first physical expansion in more than two centuries, and a shining example of how old spaces can make way for bold new beginnings.
With £17.2 million raised to bring this ambitious project to life, Backstage is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s an open invitation. By day, you’ll find a bright, welcoming café and workspace serving up artisan coffee, seasonal food and crafted cocktails. By night, the space transforms into a bar and restaurant with views from the outdoor terrace the kind of tucked-away gem we love discovering in SE1.
Don’t miss: The free Script Library, where you can borrow a play to read, return, and repeat.
But behind the scenes is where the real story unfolds.
Backstage now houses The Old Vic’s award-winning education and outreach programmes, with a dedicated Clore Learning Centre, Writers’ Room, and a Creative Meeting Space where partnerships like Streetwise Opera are already kicking off new community workshops. It’s all part of the theatre’s mission to stay connected to the people of London from school kids to aspiring creatives, right through to older generations.
If you’ve walked along The Cut recently, you may have already spotted the sleek new entrance next to the theatre. Inside, you’ll find:
- A drop-in daytime café and flexible workspace
- An events space with views over the London skyline
- A Writers’ Room and Green Room for creatives
- The Greene Studio – a flexible rehearsal room that can also host intimate performances
- Plenty of plug points, WiFi, and space to settle in
As well as hosting its long-running community initiatives (like Schools Club and Take the Lead), the theatre is now able to double the number of participants it can welcome on-site each year a game-changer for its Southwark-based education team.
And for those wondering about access: all floors are fully wheelchair accessible, and there’s lift access throughout.
Opening hours:
Mon–Wed 8am–11pm
Thu & Fri 8am–12am
Sat 10am–12am
(Closed Sundays)
