Where ideas spark and creativity comes to life
The Bloomsbury Theatre
The Bloomsbury Theatre showcases the best of theatre, music, dance, comedy and everything in between. We seek out new work by some of the UK’s most imaginative performers and cultural organisations, as well as welcoming high-profile and household names throughout the year.
The Bloomsbury Theatre seats up to 541 people and the Bloomsbury Studio (seating up to 70 people) provides a more flexible space for performances.
The theatre is proud to be part of , one of the world’s leading universities. We work together with students and researchers to bring ground-breaking discoveries to the stage, from art and design to science, technology and beyond.Ìý
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History of the Bloomsbury Theatre
Over the years huge artists including UCL alumnus Ricky Gervais, singer Adele, USÌýjazz artist Gregory Porter, comedian Jo Brand and the world-famous Stomp percussion group have entertained audiences at the Bloomsbury.
In 2019, 50 years after its very first performance, the landmark Brutalist building reopened its doors following a major renovation project to create a spectacular main auditorium with more than 500 luxurious seats, as well as the smaller, more intimate Bloomsbury Studio. Over three years, the theatre's original concrete walls and brick foyers were refurbished and every bit of the building was upgraded - from the carpets to the roof, the stage to the dressing rooms - to create a cutting-edge performance space in the heart of London.Ìý
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UCL 911±¬ÁÏÍø and the Bloomsbury Theatre
UCL 911±¬ÁÏÍø whose careers directly benefitted from their Bloomsbury Theatre experience
UCL alumni who credit the Bloomsbury Theatre as being crucial to their UCL experience and also their future career include UCL Film Soc president andÌýOscarÌýwinning directorÌýChristopher NolanÌý(English Literature) and film producerÌýÌýwho were both ardent supporters of the Bloomsbury Theatre and its refurbishment. NolanÌýalso filmed part of his filmÌýInceptionÌýin the UCL Flaxman Gallery. Read the Guardian article Ìýwhere Nolan cites choosing to attendÌýUCL specifically for its film facilities.
UCL alumni who regulary appear on the Bloomstage includeÌýÌý(PhD English) andÌý(Philosophy) who also filmed his show AnimalsÌý(2003) here.
Katy Lipson (Human Genetics) isÌýCompany Director/Producer of her own theatre companyÌýÌýwhich recentlyÌýtouredÌýÌýacross the UK andÌýÌýin the West End. She performed as part of UCL Musical Theatre Society'sÌýproduction of Cabaret.
(Bartlett School of Architecture) founded the UCL Garage shows (now known as the Studio) and has workedÌýat STUFISH (entertainment architects) since 2006, including building theÌýABBA Voyage ArenaÌýandÌýdesigned for Beyonce, Elton John, Madonna, Lady Gaga and the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Nica BurnsÌý(Law), theatre impresario, producer and co-owner of the Lyric, Apollo, Garrick and Duchess theatres in London's West End participatedÌýin 26 drama productions in her three years at 911±¬ÁÏÍø.
Ìý(History) was an active member of UCL Musical Theatre Society (2012 -2015). After graduation she went on to appearÌýin the London Coliseum production ofÌýÌý(2021) in the lead role of Tracy TurnbladÌýalongside Michael Ball.
Simon Whitaker (BSc Natural Science 2018) performed in various UCL MusicalÌýTheatre Society productions beforeÌýachieving a place on the highly prestigious Royal Academy of Music Musical Theatre Masters and has sinceÌýstarredÌýin The Phantom of the Opera inÌýLondon’s West End.
Madeleine Edis (BA History of Art 2017) was involved as a producer, performer and most notably a costume designer across various student productionsÌýand nowÌýworks professionally in the costuming industry, working on West End shows and major TV productions including recent BBC success This Is Going to Hurt. She is currently a costume designer at the National Film and Television School.
Natalie Pound (MSc Physics 2019) isÌýa talented musician and musical director and was part of numerous shows in the Theatre and Studio for various arts societies, including the world premiere of the updated version of From Here To Eternity in the Bloomsbury Theatre. Natalie went on to gain a place on the Royal Academy of Music’s Musical Direction Masters and now has a successful career in the West End as a professional musician and musical director including productions such as SIX! (Vaudeville), The Jersey Boys (Trafalgar Studios) and Legally Blonde (Regents Park Open Air). Natalie came back to campus on November 2022 to speak with current 911±¬ÁÏÍø Musical Theatre Society students about how her Bloomsbury Theatre show experience has helped her pursue aÌýcareer in the West End.
Joseph Coelho (Archaeology 2002) was a member of UCL Drama society and directed several plays at the Bloomsbury theatre, which inspired him to become a writer and poet and later became the Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate 2022-2024
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Our Staff
The Public Venues teamÌýmanages the Bloomsbury Theatre & Studio spaces with the aim to provide an excellent experience to all visitors.
Head of Bloomsbury Theatre | John Maisey |
Theatre House Manager | Joan Coffey |
Ticketing Manager | POSITION VACANT |
Theatre Technical Manager | Chris Hoyle |
Venue Hire and Bookings Manager | Ellen Frost |
Operations Coordinator | Shalini Simpson |
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Contact
Ticketing:Ìýticketing@ucl.ac.ukÌý+44 (0)20 3108 1000
Administration:Ìýtheatre@ucl.ac.ukÌý+44 (0)20 3108 6789
Technicians:Ìýtheatre.technical@ucl.ac.ukÌý+44 (0)20 7679 1361
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