The Space

The building began life as St Paul’s, a Presbyterian church designed by T.E. Knightley. Its foundation stone was laid by John Scott Russell, the engineer who built the Great Eastern ship at the nearby Burrells Wharf yard. Today the old church is a flexible, atmospheric performance space hosting over 200 performances a year, mostly theatre, with music, dance and comedy too, from new writing and international work to festivals such as Voila!. Plays that began life at the Space have gone on to other London venues, the Edinburgh Fringe and national tours.

There are plenty of ways to get involved. SpaceWorks, the participatory theatre company, runs workshops and stages productions for anyone with an interest in theatre, whatever their experience, and there’s a volunteer programme and Tech Academy for those who’d like to work behind the scenes. The former vestry is now the Space Bar, a charming bar and kitchen for pre- and post-show drinks and meals, with a beer garden; it is run in-house, so every visit supports the theatre.

The venue is also available to hire for performances, rehearsals, filming, conferences, parties and wedding receptions, with flexible staging, lighting, a PA system and a Steinway B grand piano. The Space receives no regular funding, so donations, Friends memberships and sponsoring a seat all help keep the programme and the building going.