About Theatre503
Theatre503 is the home of fearless, irreverent, brave and provocative new plays. Working with the most important artists of today and discovering the foremost artists of tomorrow, we push at the boundaries of what theatre can be and pose the unanswerable questions of our time. Theatre503 is the home of essential theatre.
In 1982, the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill expanded to include a brand new custom-built studio theatre above The Latchmere Pub, on the south side of Battersea Bridge Road, London. The theatre, subsequently renamed the Grace Theatre, immediately established itself as one of London’s leading fringe venues.
In 2002 the Latchmere was relaunched as a home for new writing. Another name change – to Theatre503 – led to the premiere of over 50 of the most exciting writers of their generation, including Dennis Kelly, Phil Porter, Duncan Macmillan and Rachael Wagstaff. It went on to win the Peter Brook Empty Space Award, was nominated for a Time Out Live Award in 2006.
In November 2006 Tim Roseman and Paul Robinson were appointed Artistic Directors. Their vision is to develop 503 as a crucible where writers, directors, actors and designers think better and bolder than they would expect. We seek out, nurture and promote work of uncommon and exceptional promise from artists both fresh off the boat and weathered with success. Since 2007 we have striven to become the most important theatre in the UK for first-time playwrights, providing that vital launchpad into public performance. The Mountaintop by Katori Hall started life at Theatre503 before transferring to the West End where it won the Olivier Award for Best New play, the only time ever a theatre our size has been recognised this way. It opened in 2011 on Broadway starring Samuel L Jackson and Angela Bassett.
Recent awards and nominations include
2011
Winner – Off West End Awards:
Most Welcoming Theatre
Best New Musical (Porn – The Musical)
People’s Choice Best Female Performance (Jessie Cave for Breed)
Nomination – Most Promising Playwright (Gabriel Bisset-Smith for The Charming Man)
Winner – Off West End Adopt A Playwright Competition – Sarah Grochala
2010
Winner – Olivier Awards, Best New Play, The Mountaintop by Katori Hall
Nominated – Olivier Awards, Best Actress, Lorraine Burroughs for The Mountaintop
Nominated – WhatsOnStage Awards – Best Actor, David Harewood for The Mountaintop
Nominated – WhatsOnStage Awards – Best New Play, Katori Hall for The Mountaintop
Nominated – Alfred Fagon Award – Rex Obano for Slaves
2009
Nominated – Evening Standard Awards, Most Promising Playwright, Katori Hall for The Mountaintop
Shortlisted – Evening Standard Awards – Best Actor, David Harewood for The Mountaintop
Nominated – TMA Awards, Best New Play, The Lifesavers by Fraser Grace (co-production with Mercury Theatre, Colchester)
Winner – Meyer Whitworth Award, Ali Taylor for Cotton Wool
2008
Nominated – Peter Brook Empty Space Award
