White Bear Theatre

White Bear Theatre is a fringe theatre in Kennington located within a pub building, featuring a small black box performance space that holds around 50 people. The setting creates an intimate environment where performers and audiences sit close together.

The theatre was established in 1988 and became known for presenting new writing alongside historical dramatic works within London's pub theatre circuit. Its founding helped foster experimental theatre in unconventional venues.

The venue focuses on staging forgotten or overlooked plays, introducing audiences to works by playwrights such as John Osborne and Thomas Dekker that rarely appear on modern stages. This commitment shapes how visitors experience theatre here and draws people interested in exploring dramatic traditions beyond the mainstream.

The venue sits within a pub building just two minutes walk from Kennington Underground Station, making it easy to reach by public transport. Visitors can enjoy food and drinks at the pub before or after performances, combining theatre with a social outing.

The venue received the Empty Space Peter Brook Award in 2012, recognizing its role in supporting new and experimental theatrical forms. This honour highlights how it has shaped British independent theatre.

Location: London Borough of Lambeth

Capacity: 50

Part of: The White Bear Public House

Address: 138 Kennington Park Road, London, Lambeth, SE11 4DJ, England

Website: https://whitebeartheatre.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.48679,-0.10786

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:09