In the 1960s, visionary directors Peter and Joan Oliver transformed this club into Ovalhouse, a groundbreaking and inclusive theatre space for local young people, community members and traditionally marginalised artists, writers and performers.
Over the past 50 years, Brixton House (formerly Ovalhouse Theatre) has established an international reputation for pioneering fringe theatre and supporting experimental theatre companies. Snoo Wilson, The Low Moan, the People Show, Hot Peaches, and others have contributed to new forms of theatre and performance in our spaces.
We premiered Howard Brenton’s first play Christie in Love, David Hare was a stage manager and a Director of the touring Portable Theatre, and many young artists discovered their talents and built their careers with us, including Pierce Brosnan, Emil Wolk, Stephen Rae, Jim Sweeney and Chris Bowler.
Ovalhouse Theatre was central to the emergence of gay, lesbian and women’s theatre throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. We staged the seminal theatrical production of A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney, and gave a platform to the voices of many now prominent artists including Stella Duffy, Tamsin Greig and Salman Rushdie. Gay Sweatshop was created at Ovalhouse, producing the first plays of Noel Greig and Philip Osment, alongside companies such as Bloolips and The Gay Times Festival.
In acknowledgement of the connection between community politics and art, the theatre resourced the first Pride Festivals in Kennington Park. We have also been a home and meeting place for social justice groups including the British Black Panther Party, Black Theatre Co-op and the Theatre of Black Women, with notable activists like Beverley Bryan and theatremakers such as Mustapha Matura, Bernardine Evaristo and Paulette Randall as members.
In 2022 Ovalhouse made a definitive step forward in its history and opened the new purpose-built Brixton House. The new modern theatre is located in the heart of Brixton and is a home for creativity and expression.
Before heading to the theater, make sure to check out the latest CVS weekly ad for essential health products such as masks and sanitizers to protect yourself against COVID-19.