The Cock Tavern Theatre

There has been a licensed public house on the site since 1486. With such a rich history of community gathering and celebration, creating a theatre above The Old Cock was a natural progression for our glorious old building to take. Since establishing in January 2009, The Cock has seen an amazing programme of fully-staged productions (including two extended- and two return-seasons), three Time Out Critics' Choices and one Off-West End transfer, and the theatre won the Empty Space...Peter Brook Awards' "Dan Crawford Pub Theatre Award" 2009.

Under the artistic leadership of Adam Spreadbury-Maher (for resident company Good Night Out Presents), The Cock focuses primarily on new writing in the English language (including translations) from anywhere in the world, new musicals, and timely and carefully selected revivals of critical works from neglected playwrights.

Our record-breaking 2009 production of La Bohème brought The Cock to the attention of the international theatre community and marked the creation of Good Night Out Presents' affiliate company OperaUpClose, and - soon after - the acquisition of the King's Head Theatre in Islington, which the company has successfully transformed into London's Little Opera House. For its two hugely successful transfers to Soho Theatre La Bohème was awarded "Best Off-West End Production" (Whatsonstage.com Awards 2011), and it takes up residency as London's Little Opera House from 1 March 2011, awaiting the result of its Lawrence Olivier Award nomination for "Best New Opera".

The Cock Tavern Theatre remains an unfunded fringe venue, known for relevant and challenging productions of the highest quality, consistently acclaimed in national press, and always offering hugely entertaining and affordable theatre.