Kentish Town Station Closure: June 2023 - Summer 2024

TRAVELLING TO LION & UNICORN THEATRE
FROM JUNE 2023

Please note, due to extensive refurbishment works, KENTISH TOWN UNDERGROUND STATION (Northern Line) will be CLOSED for approximately one year until Summer 2024.  Please plan more time for your journey.

The Theatre can be reached via KENTISH TOWN WEST (London Overground), TUFNELL PARK (Northern Line, 10 mins walk) or the local bus network. KENTISH TOWN (Thameslink) remains open although expect some services to be busier than normal. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/kentish-town-station-works

L&YOU: Now Programming for 2023

We’re delighted to be able to open the theatre for brilliant theatre makers to bring their brand new work to the heart of Kentish Town from January 2023 and beyond. We are now programming work for:

• SEASON 8 - 2023 (Spring 2023)

• CAMDEN FRINGE 2023

In addition to the above we also accept speculative programming throughout the year -please email your show details following the process below and we’ll be in touch if we can fit you in!

So whether you’re making work based on new writing, gig theatre, children’s shows, physical theatre, one person shows, improv or an interesting take on an old classic, we want to help you BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE.

We’re always happy to support theatremakers who tell stories about under-represented facets of society.

We know how intimidating it can be to put on a performance, so we want to help make you feel as welcome as supported as possible!

WHAT WE PROGRAMME:

One of the best things about fringe theatre in London is the massive and diverse range of stories that are told every day in venues like The Lion & Unicorn Theatre.

• Long Run (2/3 Weeks) for promising brand new work.

• Short Runs

• Scratch Nights & one-off performances

• R&D, Ed Fringe previews and other short works

• Anything weird and wonderful - come send us your ideas!

HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU:

• Space to make and perform your work in a prestigious Zone 1 location.

• Favourable hire terms

• Speedy reconciliation of Box Office funds once a show is closed

• Free rehearsal space (for longer runs) - by arrangement

• FOH & Box Office Support

• Production support and creative feedback on your project.

• Support with Marketing & PR

• Advice, Guidance and Mentoring on staging your work from industry experts.

• Supportive relationships with industry partners who can help produce your work and make it happen

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

We want producing a show at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre to be a fantastic experience for you and your team. We make our own work too, and we understand all the perils, pitfalls and responsibilities involved in making a show - and we want to go on the adventure with you too!

We’re looking for people like us who are INVESTED, ENGAGED and the best fun to be with!

• Dynamic, enthusiastic theatre-makers with GREAT stories to tell.

• Fun, hardworking and focused individuals and companies who are committed to producing great work and to putting every effort into promoting their shows, selling tickets, and bringing the best audiences they can.

• Commercially aware theatre makers who understand the challenges of making work in a fringe theatre environment.

TO APPLY:

1. Complete and return our SUBMISSIONS FORM which outlines full details of the show you would like to perform (Link to form HERE:) (NB - Camden Fringe Applications are taken via Eventotron - please apply via the Camden Fringe website.

2. Include full details of your marketing plan and any other information you think we might need.

3. Once we’ve reviewed your submission, we’ll come back to you and arrange a meeting. (NB: We always invite companies to come in and “pitch” their project to us too!)

4. We always provide an acknowledgement that we’ve received your submission and then feedback on whether it will be a good fit, but please be patient while we review the applications. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

5. Once we’ve reviewed the information and programmed a season, we’ll include you in our season announcements and go through next steps with you!

QUESTIONS? GOT SOME WORK YOU WANT US TO SEE?

The best way to “get involved” is to send us an email, invite us to come see you perform or simply give us a shout and we’ll go for a coffee - we know a really brilliant place to meet for a drink!

Good Luck - We can’t wait to meet you!

Theatre in the Garden! - June 5th 2022

Join us in the Lion & Unicorn Garden to celebrate Jubilee Weekend. Sunday 5th June 5.00pm.

Join us as we team up with the Lion & Unicorn Pub to celebrate Jubilee Weekend with a special performance in our outside garden on June 5th 2022 at 5.00.

We’re opening our doors (and the garden gate!) with a special outdoor performance for our Kentish Town Community and here’s how you can get involved.

PERFORMER CALL OUT!

We’re creating performance slots for the best of our fringe theatre community - So whether you’re singer, poet, comedian, or performer we’re looking to curate a special evening of great people having the opportunity to perform in a fun, unique environment in support of our local community.

TYPE OF WORK

We’re looking for work that fits in with the spirit of the weekend’s celebrations - so either monologues, sketches, comedy or song sets (max 10 mins), and we’re not averse to a bit of Shakespeare or Opera singing too. Basically take your standard scratch night work and take it outside.

Pitch us your idea and we’ll see what we can do!

SUBMISSIONS

To express your interest in performing as part of our Theatre in the Garden event, please send an email by Friday May 13th at 5pm to lionandunicorn@proforca.co.uk with the following information:

• Your Name

• Contact Details (inc social media)

• Details of what you’d like to perform (either a short synopsis or extract)

• Link to a sample of your work (for example a showreel or filmed excerpt)

We’d like to announce our final line up on Monday 23rd May 2022.

THE SMALL PRINT

• Our outside space is “compact” and therefore any performances should bear this in mind which means we can’t accommodate large groups of performers or complex

• In the case of significantly bad weather then the performance will be moved upstairs to the theatre.

• Performances should rely on minimal tech (a microphone will be provided) - so therefore no complex sets or props please.

For more questions please drop us an email at lionandunicorn@proforca.co.uk .

Whats Changing on July 19th?

Lion & Unicorn Safety Update

(Changes to Safety Measures in venue as of July 19th) 

Hi Everyone, 

We’re in the process of finalising updated safety information for the operation of the Lion & Unicorn Theatre after July 19th. In common with lots of other venues, we’ll be retaining some measures in place at the venue in order to make sure we keep everyone safe and give audiences and visitors confidence that we have safety in mind. 

With this in common we can confirm that from July 19th and initially till the end of Camden Fringe, we will be operating as follows: 

• AUDIENCE SIZES - will increase as social distancing rules are relaxed.

• FACE COVERINGS - will remain strongly encouraged in the theatre whilst a performance is in progress. Please support us in keeping everyone safe by wearing a face covering if you can.

• BOX OFFICE - The Box Office will, for now, remain advanced sales only online via our website.

• TEST & TRACE APP - We will still be encouraging use of the NHS Test & Trace app, where appropriate, although this will not be mandatory.

• SOCIAL DISTANCING - We will endeavour where possible to maintain social distancing in the auditorium - meaning that if a show isn’t full, our team will encourage audience members to space themselves out from other groups in the theatre.

• DOORS - The House will, at this time, still open at 7.15pm or 15 mins before the show.

• LATECOMERS - our latecomers policy remains in place. Latecomers will NOT be admitted once the performance has commenced until a suitable break in the performance and no refunds will be issued in the event that you arrive late for the performance.

• DRINKS - Audience members can bring drinks into the auditorium now if they wish. Please return your glasses to the bar when you leave.

Obviously we know that the situation is likely to change and we want make sure everyone feels comfortable and safe to come to the theatre wherever they can.

if you have any questions about our safety arrangements, please speak to a member of our team or contact the Box Office via the contact form on our website.

Team L & U

Duty Manager Recruitment (Casual)

JOB ROLE: DUTY MANAGER (CASUAL)
LOCATION: THE LION & UNICORN THEATRE, KENTISH TOWN
SALARY: £10P/H (MINIMUM CALL £30 PER SHIFT)

We are looking to expand our team of Duty Managers for our very busy and expanding fringe theatre team in London. Our Duty Managers are the first point of contact for our audiences and visiting companies and are responsible for running the box office as well as ensuring all our shows in the venue run super smoothly and successfully.

From our regular seasonal programming to Camden Fringe and beyond, we have aims to create a brave and brilliant new fringe theatre destination in London which represents the very best that the fringe has to offer. We want to tell amazing and exciting stories from the amazing theatre makers we are so pleased to work with. and you can be part of our adventure.

So whoever you are and wherever you’re from, The Lion & Unicorn Theatre Is the place where you can #BeWhoYouWantToBe and we’re looking for some great new people to join our family.

Job Responsibilities:

• Welcoming our audiences to The Lion & Unicorn Theatre

• Opening and managing the Box Office

• Ensuring the Health & Safety of our audiences and visiting companies while a show is in progress - which now includes making sure all COVID-Secure guidelines are followed

• Engaging with audiences at the end of a show as part of our ongoing revenue generation strategy.

• Supervising Get ins / Get outs where necessary.

• Ensuring the theatre is clean and tidy, and that everything is in working order.  

• Other jobs in support of the theatre as required.

 About You:

•  Well presented with excellent customer service skills.

• Confident, articulate and outgoing, you’ll be comfortable working with people of all kinds and provide a warm and friendly welcome to The Lion & Unicorn Theatre.

• A good problem solver, be able to think on your feet and resolve issues quickly and effectively.

• You’ll have the ability to multitask and work quickly on your own initiative.

• Understand and be comfortable with basic IT / Box Office system.

• You’ll also ideally have a basic understanding of theatre tech. (Training will be given).

• You’ll also be as passionate about Fringe Theatre (and the brilliant people that make it) as we are and have a love for live performance in all it’ various forms.

In addition to paid shifts, all our Duty Managers receive free tickets to performances at the theatre and also a monthly allocation of free rehearsal space (subject to availability). Full training is also provided. We’re looking for people to commit to ideally at least one shift per week (with a minimum of one weekend show per month).

 For more information or to apply, please send a CV and a covering letter to lionandunicorn@proforca.co.uk - we’re looking forward to hearing from you!

CLOSING DATE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 10th June 2021 - 5.30pm