The Gate Theatre is a theatre in London which was originally established above the Prince Albert pub in Notting Hill in 1979 with the aim of bringing international plays to London. With 75 seats, it was known as the smallest "off-West End" theatre in the city. The Gate now operates as a theatre producing company, working with partners, venues and audiences in London and beyond, showing work from beyond the United Kingdom. In September 2026 it was announced that the theatre would close its doors at the end of October 2026 due to "unsustainable" funding pressures.
History
The Gate was opened in 1979 in Notting Hill. It developed a reputation for radical and political productions but lost its Arts Council England funding in 2022.
The Gate has won numerous awards, including Olivier, Critic's Circle, Peter Brook, Fringe First, LWT, and Time Out awards. Its work has been nominated for Off West End, Stage, Evening Standard, Carol Tambor, Amnesty International, and South Bank awards.
Some of the actors and practitioners to have worked at the Gate include Sir Robert Stephens, Stephen Daldry, Jude Law, Kelly Hunter, Rachel Weisz, Alex Kingston, Kathy Burke, Sam Shepherd, Sir Peter Hall, Sarah Kane, Katie Mitchell, Nancy Meckler, Mick Gordon, Tobias Menzies, and Ian Rickson.
Artistic Directors
1979–1985 Lou Stein 1985–1990 Giles Croft 1990–1992 Stephen Daldry 1992–1996 Lawrence Boswell 1996–1998 David Farr 1998–2001 Mick Gordon 2001–2004 Erica Whyman 2004–2007 Thea Sharrock 2007–2012 Natalie Abrahami and Carrie Cracknell 2012–2017 Christopher Haydon 2017–2021 Ellen McDougall 2022–2023 Stef O'Driscoll (Interim) 2023– Atri Banerjee (as Creative Associate 2023–25, Artistic Lead 2025– )
Executive Directors
Kate Denby –2015 Jonathan Hull 2015-2016 Clare Slater 2016-2018 Joanne Royce 2018– 2021 Lise Bell 2021 - 2022 Shawab Iqbal 2022 - Nicola Clements
References
External links Homepage