Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone

This article is about the modern London theatre. For the original 17th-century namesake, see Cockpit Theatre.

Cockpit Theatre
Map
AddressGateforth Street
London, NW8
United Kingdom
Coordinates51°31′28″N 0°10′11″W / 51.52451°N 0.1696°W / 51.52451; -0.1696
Public transitLondon Underground National Rail Marylebone
OwnerCity of Westminster College
TypeFringe theatre
Capacity180 thrust, 240 in-the-round
Construction
Opened1970; 54 years ago (1970)
ArchitectEdward Mendelsohn
Website
www.thecockpit.org.uk

The Cockpit Theatre is a fringe theatre in Marylebone, London. Designed by Edward Mendelsohn and built in 1969–70 by the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) as a community theatre, it is London's first purpose-built Theatre in the round since the Great Fire of London.[1] When ILEA was disbanded in 1990, ownership of the Cockpit was transferred to the London Borough of Westminster,[2] who made it part of the newly renamed City of Westminster College.[3] It remains one of a handful of purpose-built theatre training venues in the capital.[4]

Between 1993 and 1995 the Soho Theatre Company took up residence and relaunched itself after a period of homelessness. During this period they premiered the works of over 35 new writers.[5]

In January 2011, owners City of Westminster College moved into their new main building at Paddington Green which included another theatre.[6] This change meant The Cockpit is no longer used for day-to-day teaching or academic office space and operates as a full-time theatre and training venue.

  1. ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus; Bridget Cherry (1999) [1990]. London 3: North West. The Buildings of England. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-071048-5.
  2. ^ "The Education (Inner London Education Authority) (Property Transfer) Order 1990". Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  3. ^ "city of Westminster College: History". Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  4. ^ "The Cockpit". Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Soho Theatre: History". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  6. ^ "New Flagship Campus for City of Westminster College / schmidt hammer lassen architects". Retrieved 5 June 2011.