HERE | FOR - October 2026 - SUBMISSIONS OPEN NOW

October 2026 | Lion & Unicorn Theatre

Proforca Theatre Company announces HERE | FOR, a supported mini-season of new work at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, taking place across four consecutive weeks in October 2026.

Here | For is designed to pass on the experience we’ve gained over the last ten years, and to offer the kind of genuine leg up to a new generation of theatre creatives that we wished we’d had.

At a time when long-term subsidy is increasingly difficult to secure and pathways from fringe to mid-scale work are narrowing, Here | For exists to provide meaningful, practical support to companies who have already begun to establish themselves and are ready to take high-quality work to its next stage.

The programme will support three independent theatre companies to create and premiere brand new pieces of work for public audiences, alongside a new Proforca Theatre Company production presented later in the season.

WHAT IS BEING OFFERED:

Each selected company will receive:

• A £1,000 cash contribution towards the creation of a brand new show

• One week of free rehearsal space at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre

• A five-night performance run in October 2026

• A one-night showcase performance at the Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, supporting audience development beyond London

• Two days of allocated technical and dress rehearsal time at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre

• A risk-free 50/50 box office split, with no guarantee exposure

• PR and marketing support from the Lion & Unicorn and Proforca teams

• Access to heavily discounted photography and A/V packages

• Mentorship and guidance from an award-winning, Offie-nominated producing team and a panel of industry mentors

• A dedicated press night, with all performances on sale to the general public

This is a fully audience-facing programme. It is not a scratch showcase or venue hire arrangement, and is designed for companies ready to take a confident step forward in their producing practice.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are particularly interested in companies who:

• Are developing strong, story-led ideas for new work, including new writing

• Have a clear concept and delivery plan appropriate to the Lion & Unicorn Theatre

• Have previously created two or three productions, or are production-ready with a new idea

• Make work that is creative, agile, forward-thinking and audience-inclusive

• Are commercially aware and interested in reaching beyond niche fringe audiences

• Are actively considering the future life of the work, including touring or transfer opportunities

• Can demonstrate a clear track record of quality in their previous work

This programme is aimed at artists who are ready to scale, rather than those at the very beginning of their practice.

All projects must have a producer attached, or a member of the team willing to take on that role. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate clear, realistic marketing thinking as part of their application. A marketing plan will form part of the preparation for the show itself.

WHAT WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR:

·       “Issue led” shows which are not story or concept driven

·       Adaptations of previous work or classic revivals

·       Cabaret or comedy shows (for example improv)

HOW THE SEASON WORKS:

The mini-season will run across four consecutive weeks in October 2026:

• Three weeks programmed with one supported company per week

• The fourth week dedicated to a new Proforca Theatre Company production

Each supported company will present their work as a full performance week within the season.

HOW TO APPLY:

This opportunity is offered via open call, and we actively encourage applications from artists and companies beyond our existing networks.

The application process:

·       9th February 2026: Submissions window opens. All applicants apply via the Dedicated submissions form with full details of their show.

·       2nd March 2026: Submissions Window Closes (5pm) & shortlisting begins

·       Week of 30th March 2026: Shortlisted companies will be invited to a second round pitch meeting at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre where they will be asked to present their vision for their show & final decisions will be made.

·       Week of 1st June – Season Announcement.

Full application details, eligibility criteria and deadlines can be found via the application form.

We strongly encourage participation from members of the LGBT+, working class and Global Majority communities.

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Duty Manager (FOH) Recruitment - Summer 2025

JOB ROLE: DUTY MANAGER (CASUAL)
LOCATION: THE LION & UNICORN THEATRE, KENTISH TOWN
SALARY: £13P/H (MINIMUM CALL £39 PER SHIFT)

We are looking to expand our team of Duty Managers for our very busy and expanding fringe theatre team in London. Our Duty Managers are the first point of contact for our audiences and visiting companies and are responsible for running the box office as well as ensuring all our shows in the venue run super smoothly and successfully.

From our regular seasonal programming to Camden Fringe and beyond, we have aims to create a brave and brilliant new fringe theatre destination in London which represents the very best that the fringe has to offer. We want to tell amazing and exciting stories from the amazing theatre makers we are so pleased to work with. and you can be part of our adventure.

So whoever you are and wherever you’re from, The Lion & Unicorn Theatre Is the place where you can #BeWhoYouWantToBe and we’re looking for some great new people to join our family.

Job Responsibilities:

• Welcoming our audiences to The Lion & Unicorn Theatre

• Opening and managing the Box Office

• Ensuring the Health & Safety of our audiences and visiting companies while a show is in progress - which now includes making sure all COVID-Secure guidelines are followed

• Engaging with audiences at the end of a show as part of our ongoing revenue generation strategy.

• Supervising Get ins / Get outs where necessary.

• Ensuring the theatre is clean and tidy, and that everything is in working order.  

• Other jobs in support of the theatre as required.

 About You:

•  Well presented with excellent customer service skills.

• Confident, articulate and outgoing, you’ll be comfortable working with people of all kinds and provide a warm and friendly welcome to The Lion & Unicorn Theatre.

• A good problem solver, be able to think on your feet and resolve issues quickly and effectively.

• You’ll have the ability to multitask and work quickly on your own initiative.

• Understand and be comfortable with basic IT / Box Office system.

• You’ll also ideally have a basic understanding of theatre tech. (Training will be given).

• You’ll also be as passionate about Fringe Theatre (and the brilliant people that make it) as we are and have a love for live performance in all it’ various forms.

In addition to paid shifts, all our Duty Managers receive free tickets to performances at the theatre and also a monthly allocation of free rehearsal space (subject to availability). Full training is also provided. We’re looking for people to commit to ideally at least one shift per week (with a minimum of one weekend show per month).

 For more information or to apply, please send a CV and a covering letter to lionandunicorn@proforca.co.uk - we’re looking forward to hearing from you!

Kentish Town Station Closure: June 2023 - Summer 2024

TRAVELLING TO LION & UNICORN THEATRE
FROM JUNE 2023

Please note, due to extensive refurbishment works, KENTISH TOWN UNDERGROUND STATION (Northern Line) will be CLOSED for approximately one year until Summer 2024.  Please plan more time for your journey.

The Theatre can be reached via KENTISH TOWN WEST (London Overground), TUFNELL PARK (Northern Line, 10 mins walk) or the local bus network. KENTISH TOWN (Thameslink) remains open although expect some services to be busier than normal. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/kentish-town-station-works

L&YOU: Now Programming for 2023

We’re delighted to be able to open the theatre for brilliant theatre makers to bring their brand new work to the heart of Kentish Town from January 2023 and beyond. We are now programming work for:

• SEASON 8 - 2023 (Spring 2023)

• CAMDEN FRINGE 2023

In addition to the above we also accept speculative programming throughout the year -please email your show details following the process below and we’ll be in touch if we can fit you in!

So whether you’re making work based on new writing, gig theatre, children’s shows, physical theatre, one person shows, improv or an interesting take on an old classic, we want to help you BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE.

We’re always happy to support theatremakers who tell stories about under-represented facets of society.

We know how intimidating it can be to put on a performance, so we want to help make you feel as welcome as supported as possible!

WHAT WE PROGRAMME:

One of the best things about fringe theatre in London is the massive and diverse range of stories that are told every day in venues like The Lion & Unicorn Theatre.

• Long Run (2/3 Weeks) for promising brand new work.

• Short Runs

• Scratch Nights & one-off performances

• R&D, Ed Fringe previews and other short works

• Anything weird and wonderful - come send us your ideas!

HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU:

• Space to make and perform your work in a prestigious Zone 1 location.

• Favourable hire terms

• Speedy reconciliation of Box Office funds once a show is closed

• Free rehearsal space (for longer runs) - by arrangement

• FOH & Box Office Support

• Production support and creative feedback on your project.

• Support with Marketing & PR

• Advice, Guidance and Mentoring on staging your work from industry experts.

• Supportive relationships with industry partners who can help produce your work and make it happen

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

We want producing a show at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre to be a fantastic experience for you and your team. We make our own work too, and we understand all the perils, pitfalls and responsibilities involved in making a show - and we want to go on the adventure with you too!

We’re looking for people like us who are INVESTED, ENGAGED and the best fun to be with!

• Dynamic, enthusiastic theatre-makers with GREAT stories to tell.

• Fun, hardworking and focused individuals and companies who are committed to producing great work and to putting every effort into promoting their shows, selling tickets, and bringing the best audiences they can.

• Commercially aware theatre makers who understand the challenges of making work in a fringe theatre environment.

TO APPLY:

1. Complete and return our SUBMISSIONS FORM which outlines full details of the show you would like to perform (Link to form HERE:) (NB - Camden Fringe Applications are taken via Eventotron - please apply via the Camden Fringe website.

2. Include full details of your marketing plan and any other information you think we might need.

3. Once we’ve reviewed your submission, we’ll come back to you and arrange a meeting. (NB: We always invite companies to come in and “pitch” their project to us too!)

4. We always provide an acknowledgement that we’ve received your submission and then feedback on whether it will be a good fit, but please be patient while we review the applications. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

5. Once we’ve reviewed the information and programmed a season, we’ll include you in our season announcements and go through next steps with you!

QUESTIONS? GOT SOME WORK YOU WANT US TO SEE?

The best way to “get involved” is to send us an email, invite us to come see you perform or simply give us a shout and we’ll go for a coffee - we know a really brilliant place to meet for a drink!

Good Luck - We can’t wait to meet you!

Theatre in the Garden! - June 5th 2022

Join us in the Lion & Unicorn Garden to celebrate Jubilee Weekend. Sunday 5th June 5.00pm.

Join us as we team up with the Lion & Unicorn Pub to celebrate Jubilee Weekend with a special performance in our outside garden on June 5th 2022 at 5.00.

We’re opening our doors (and the garden gate!) with a special outdoor performance for our Kentish Town Community and here’s how you can get involved.

PERFORMER CALL OUT!

We’re creating performance slots for the best of our fringe theatre community - So whether you’re singer, poet, comedian, or performer we’re looking to curate a special evening of great people having the opportunity to perform in a fun, unique environment in support of our local community.

TYPE OF WORK

We’re looking for work that fits in with the spirit of the weekend’s celebrations - so either monologues, sketches, comedy or song sets (max 10 mins), and we’re not averse to a bit of Shakespeare or Opera singing too. Basically take your standard scratch night work and take it outside.

Pitch us your idea and we’ll see what we can do!

SUBMISSIONS

To express your interest in performing as part of our Theatre in the Garden event, please send an email by Friday May 13th at 5pm to lionandunicorn@proforca.co.uk with the following information:

• Your Name

• Contact Details (inc social media)

• Details of what you’d like to perform (either a short synopsis or extract)

• Link to a sample of your work (for example a showreel or filmed excerpt)

We’d like to announce our final line up on Monday 23rd May 2022.

THE SMALL PRINT

• Our outside space is “compact” and therefore any performances should bear this in mind which means we can’t accommodate large groups of performers or complex

• In the case of significantly bad weather then the performance will be moved upstairs to the theatre.

• Performances should rely on minimal tech (a microphone will be provided) - so therefore no complex sets or props please.

For more questions please drop us an email at lionandunicorn@proforca.co.uk .