The Hope Theatre announces reopening with audiences welcomed back from 29 June

London’s The Hope Theatre will reopen from 29 June, it’s been announced.

Closed since March 2020, this acclaimed 50 seat pub theatre in the heart of Islington will welcome back full capacity in person audiences from 29 June, in accordance with the government’s roadmap.

The first production will be The Boy with the Bee Jar by John Straiton (long-listed for the 2019 Bruntwood Prize), and directed by Philip Wilson, playing until 17 July.

On a North London estate, a swarm of bees attracts an environmentally minded schoolboy. He strikes up a friendship with an old punk called Euston – the sole witness to a horrific crime – and together they play out the dark goings-on of life on the estate, and of their own fears.

Also playing from 29 June in the late evening slot is Hope Box from Blue Grass Theatre, a week of comedy celebrating live theatre and the artists that create it, with an exciting line-up of up-and-coming comedians, sketch artists, comedy actors and alternative acts.

The Hope Theatre will then host a series of shows encompassing sketch and stand-up comedy, drama, new writing and drag as part of the Camden Fringe during August, including Horrigan & Howell: A Sketch Too Far from 2-8 August, Tier Three Sisters from 9 – 15 August, Tier Three Sisters also from 10 – 15 August, Four Sisters from 16 – 19 August, Olives And Blowjobs from 20 – 22 August, ASÒ from 16 – 22 August, Th’wildcat Of Sheffield: Unshielded from 23 – 27 August, and Eddie Brimson: Naughty Boy from 23 – 27 August. Tickets for the Camden Fringe will go on sale from 31 May.

Tickets for shows are on sale now online here.

The Hope Theatre will present an in-house production for four weeks in September, with full details to be announced.

Kennedy Bloomer, the Artistic Director of the theatre since January 2020 said: “We’re absolutely thrilled and grateful to be able to plan to re-open in June. The Hope hasn’t been able to open since March 2020 and although we’ve managed to create online we can’t wait to be back open to a live audience again.

“Freelance artists need our support now more than ever and we’re as committed as ever to our Equity house agreement and supporting paid opportunities.”