The Yard Theatre is to hold its last show before being demolished to make way for a new venue.
Founder and artistic director Jay Miller will direct a new production of The Glass Menagerie for the venue’s curtain call, which will run from February 28 to April 21 2025.
The Yard Theatre will then close for the work, with its replacement expected to open in 2026.
Speaking about the final show, Miller said: “There’s something perfect about ending with The Glass Menagerie, a play about the delicate balance between holding on and letting go.
“For 13 years, this space has held our art and our communities. Now, like Tom Wingfield (one of the show’s characters), we’re standing on the edge of transformation.”
The theatre was initially intended to be a temporary space, but has gone on to become a launchpad for actors and other artists including Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, singer Shygirl and I May Destroy You creator Michaela Coel.
It has now raised £6.4 million in capital funding to replace The Yard Theatre with a new 220-seat venue designed by Takero Shimazaki Architects whose work includes the Royal Academy of Dance and Curzon Camden.
Chair of The Yard’s board of trustees Simon Tate added: “I’m thrilled to announce the next chapter in our story. We currently cross boundaries in a converted warehouse, and we’re about to transform our physical space to match our artistic ambition.
“This redevelopment isn’t just about fixing the roof, it’s about building east London’s first purpose-built theatre in a generation.
“As a charity, The Yard exists to serve our community; with this project, we’re doubling our capacity, creating new spaces for local young artists, and pioneering sustainable design. The Yard has always dreamed big — now we’re building big too.”
Tickets for The Glass Menagerie are on sale now from The Yard Theatre’s website.
