Our History

Stratford East: 1884–1918

1884 — Actor-manager Charles Dillon builds Stratford’s first permanent playhouse, working with architect James George Buckle. The theatre opens on 17 December with Dillon starring in Richelieu.

Late 1880s — Local coal merchant Albert O’Leary Fredericks, who had helped finance the theatre, buys it from Dillon. The theatre remains in the Fredericks family for almost 50 years. The initials ‘FF’ above the stage become the subject of a longstanding superstition that removing them would cause the theatre to collapse.

1891 — Fredericks expands the stage by purchasing the fishmonger's shop behind the theatre at 61 Angel Lane. The stage increases from 18 to 38 feet deep — the dimensions it retains today. He also adds two bars and an office overlooking Angel Lane.

1901 — Following Fredericks’ death on 26 June, control of the theatre passes to his daughter Caroline Fredericks Ellis, who manages it with her brothers Fred Jr. and Sam.

1902 — Caroline introduces electricity to the theatre, commissioning renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham to oversee the work. The auditorium is reupholstered, reseated and recarpeted, with electric lighting and new stage boxes installed.

Early 1900s — The theatre specialises in melodrama and remains in almost constant use, continuing to operate throughout the First World War.

Theatre Workshop & Joan Littlewood: 1945–1975

1945 — A group of actors and artists forms Theatre Workshop, founded on the idea of theatre as a living event involving both artists and audiences. The company tours across the UK and Europe without a permanent home.

1953 — Theatre Workshop takes over the derelict Stratford East. Under Joan Littlewood, with Gerry Raffles as manager and John Bury as designer, the company establishes its pioneering ‘people’s theatre’ in East London. With little money for repairs, the company lives in the theatre’s dressing rooms, working together to clean, paint and restore the building.

1955 — Theatre Workshop gains international recognition after being invited to represent England at the International Festival of Theatre in Paris. Volpone and Arden of Faversham are acclaimed at the festival.

1957–1967 — Theatre Workshop stages a groundbreaking programme of new writing, including Brendan Behan’s The Quare Fellow and The Hostage, Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey, Frank Norman and Lionel Bart’s Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be, and Stephen Lewis’ Sparrers Can’t Sing.

1963 — Oh, What a Lovely War! receives the Grande Prix du Festival in Paris. The production subsequently transfers to the West End and Broadway, becoming one of Theatre Workshop’s defining productions.

1967 — Mrs Wilson’s Diary by John Wells and Richard Ingrams transfers to the West End, continuing Theatre Workshop’s tradition of developing work that reaches audiences beyond Stratford.

Late 1960s — Plans for the regeneration of Stratford threaten the theatre with demolition. Gerry Raffles secures a provisional Grade II Preservation Order, saving the building despite continued attempts by developers to have it demolished.

1975 — Gerry Raffles secures funding to establish a sustainable season with former Theatre Workshop members on proper salaries. He dies suddenly on 11 April, aged 51. Joan Littlewood leaves the theatre and never returns. The square beside the theatre is later named Gerry Raffles Square in his memory.

1975–1979 — Following Littlewood’s departure, the theatre continues under brief periods of leadership from Ken Hill, Maxwell Shaw and Claire Venables, before Philip Hedley becomes Artistic Director in 1979.

Philip Hedley: 1979–2004

1979 — Philip Hedley, a former assistant to Joan Littlewood, becomes Artistic Director. His first production is Mustapha Matura’s Welcome Home Jacko.

1980s — Hedley continues and expands Littlewood’s educational and community work, developing programming that reflects the diverse communities of East London. Stratford East begins major co-productions with Black and Asian theatre companies including Black Theatre Co-operative/NITRO, Talawa, Tamasha, motiroti and Tara Arts.

1980s–1990s — The theatre becomes known for fantastical productions that exploit Stratford East’s unique stage, with Ken Hill directing works including The Phantom of the Opera, The Invisible Man, Zorro and Curse of the Werewolf. The annual pantomime also develops a reputation as one of London’s best.

Early 1990s — Patrick Prior’s trilogy of political farces — Revolting Peasants, Blackboard Bungle and Cut and Trust — tackles the poll tax, education and the NHS. Stratford East also stages Federico García Lorca’s The Public, directed and designed by Ultz, challenging the restrictions of Section 28.

1990 — Five Guys Named Moe, based on the music of Louis Jordan, becomes a major critical and commercial success, transferring to the West End and Broadway before achieving international success. Clarke Peters’ Unforgettable, A Tribute to Nat King Cole also transfers to the West End and tours internationally.

1999 — Stratford East launches its Musical Theatre Initiative, developing new musicals through workshops bringing together writers, composers and music producers, with support from lecturers at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

2004 — After 25 years as Artistic Director, Philip Hedley steps down. Kerry Michael is appointed as his successor.

Kerry Michael: 2004–2017

2004 — Kerry Michael becomes Artistic Director of Stratford East, continuing the theatre’s commitment to new work and providing a platform for underrepresented East London voices. His first production is Cosh Omar’s The Battle of Green Lanes, set within London’s Cypriot community.

2005–2006 — Continues the theatre’s Musical Theatre Initiative, including directing Come Dancing, co-written by Ray Davies, and The Harder They Come, which later transfers to the Barbican and West End and tours internationally.

2007 — Boy Blue Entertainment’s Pied Piper wins the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre.

2008 — Cinderella becomes the first pantomime to be nominated for an Olivier Award. Stratford East also pilots the International Festival for Emerging Artists, bringing 48 emerging artists from around the world together in Stratford.

2009 — Launches Open Stage, inviting audiences and local communities to shape programming and become more involved in the theatre.

2010 — Martina Cole’s Two Women is adapted for the stage, beginning a series of adaptations of her work at Stratford East.

2011 — The Graft, the second Martina Cole adaptation, premieres. Site-specific production Roadkill is staged at Stratford East.

2012 — Roadkill wins the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. Stratford East hosts Nigeria House as part of the London 2012 celebrations, alongside the 30 Nigeria House project supporting young British-born and Nigerian theatremakers. You Me Bum Bum Train takes over the theatre and receives an Olivier nomination. Martina Cole’s Dangerous Lady is also adapted for the stage.

2013 — Tanika Gupta’s Love’n’Stuff has a sell-out run. TriForce Creative Network’s MonologueSlam finds its London home at Stratford East, creating opportunities for actors from across the industry.

2014 — Oh What a Lovely War is revived to mark 50 years since its Stratford East premiere and the centenary of the First World War. The production receives an Olivier nomination.

2015 — Tanika Gupta adapts Meera Syal’s Anita and Me for the stage. HOME Theatre returns, bringing intimate performances into homes across London. After a decade of campaigning, Kerry realises his vision for a statue of Joan Littlewood outside the theatre.

2016 — Stratford East opens Gerry’s, an 80-seat studio and café space providing a new home for experimental performance, workshops, cabaret, music and community activity.

2017 — In collaboration with Ramps on the Moon, Stratford East produces The Who’s TOMMY, directed by Kerry, bringing D/deaf, hearing, disabled and non-disabled performers and musicians together on the Stratford East stage. The theatre also presents Summer in London, featuring the UK’s first all-trans cast on a mainstream stage, and Graeae’s Reasons to Be Cheerful. After 13 years as Artistic Director, Kerry Michael steps down, leaving a legacy of new writing, musical theatre, inclusion, community engagement and international collaboration.

Nadia Fall: 2017–2021

2017 — Nadia Fall becomes Artistic Director of Stratford East, beginning a new chapter for the theatre. Her first production is The Village, April De Angelis’ reworking of Lope de Vega’s Fuente Ovejuna, relocated to rural India and inspired by Joan Littlewood’s 1954 production The Sheep Well.

2018 — Fall’s first season includes Ballet Black, The Wolves, Queer Lates, Sleeping Beauty, Frantic Assembly’s The Unreturning, Equus, Noughts & Crosses, and King Hedley II, which Fall directs and stars Sir Lenny Henry. The season closes with Noye's Fludde, a co-production with English National Opera involving more than 200 local amateur performers.

2019 — The second season opens with Katori Hall’s Our Lady of Kibeho, co-produced with Royal & Derngate. Stratford East also hosts Paines Plough’s ROUNDABOUT festival, alongside Dick Whittington and Eclipse Theatre’s The Gift.

2020 — Equus wins three Off-West End Awards, while Stratford East receives three Olivier nominations, with Noye's Fludde winning Best Achievement in Opera. In March, the theatre closes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting short its season and postponing Welcome to Iran, Oliver Twist and Sucker Punch.

2020 — During lockdown, Stratford East moves its programme online and continues working with local communities. 846, led by Roy Williams and bringing together 14 Black and Asian playwrights in response to the murder of George Floyd, is created as an audio series. No Masks, a drama created from stories shared by local key workers and starring Russell Tovey, Anya Chalotra and Eamonn Walker, is broadcast on Sky Arts.

2021 — Stratford East continues producing new work during the pandemic through Press Play Here, a series of five short plays initially shared with East London residents via QR code. Nadia Fall’s Welcome to Iran is specially recorded for BBC Radio 3. In June, Fall’s production of Dipo Baruwa-Etti’s The Sun, the Moon and the Stars begins previews, marking the return of live theatre to the Stratford East stage after 15 months.

Lisa Spirling: 2025 -

2025 - Animal Farm was nominated for an Olivier Award and won the UK Theatre Award. The Women of Llanrumney transferred from Sherman Theatre with writer Azuka Oforka winning a The Stage Debut Award, nominated for an Offie and Standard Theatre Award alongside Suzanne Packer nominated at the Black British Theatre Awards with Stella-Jane Odoemelam winning Best Musical Director for the show. Joan: A Musical by Robert Hyman was written for the 140th celebration of the theatre, a musical celebrating Joan Littlewood's life. Tambo & Bones returned. The first new musical to debut in 10 years Lovestuck opened from co-creators of My Dad Wrote A Porno. The Stratford East Young Company performed a modern version of Romeo & Juliet in collaboration with Sadlers East. A new production of The Harder They Come arrived becoming the theatre's best selling show in the entire 140 year history. This year's pantomime Mama Goose won an Offie.

2026 - Here There Are Blueberries made it's UK debut and later opened on Broadway. Choir Boy transferred from Bristol Old Vic to make it's London premiere. The sell-out sensation The Harder They Come returned for a longer run. The first South Asian Summer was held, showcasing a variety of live performance work.