Proforca Theatre Company in association with the Lion & Unicorn Theatre presents
9 November 2026
HERE42027
A financially supported season of brand-new work.
Three independent theatre companies. Three completely new, previously unproduced shows. Financial support, rehearsal time and a public run at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
WHY
HERE4?
Making theatre is hard enough. HERE4 exists to give promising companies the backing to create something new, get it in front of an audience and plan what happens next.
Presented by Proforca Theatre Company and the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, HERE4 builds on ten years of our experience making and producing theatre.
We'll support three independent companies to premiere entirely new, previously unproduced shows, alongside a new Proforca Theatre Company production.
Companies that have previously performed at the Lion & Unicorn are welcome to apply. The proposed production itself must be new.
Not a venue hire.
A supported public production.
WHAT WE'RE OFFERING.
Each selected company receives financial, rehearsal, producing and marketing support to create and premiere its new work.
Rehearsal space
One free week at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
Five-night run
Public performances, including a dedicated press night.
Technical time
Two allocated days for technical and dress rehearsals.
50/50 box office
No venue guarantee payment or hire-fee exposure.
PR and marketing
Support from both teams and a 50% contribution towards PR costs.
Photography and A/V
Access to heavily discounted packages.
Mentorship
Guidance from an award-winning, Offie-nominated producing team and industry mentors.
Press night
A dedicated press night within a fully public-facing run.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Companies with a track record, a strong new idea, an audience in mind and an ambition to take the work beyond its first run.
01 / The work must be new
Your proposed show must never have been produced before, anywhere.
Previously staged productions, remounts, revivals, transfers or reworkings of an existing production are not eligible.
Companies previously programmed at the Lion & Unicorn can apply with new work.
02 / Venue exclusivity
Your selected production must not be performed within 30 miles of the Lion & Unicorn during the 12 weeks before its HERE4 opening or the 12 weeks after its final HERE4 performance, unless the venue gives prior written consent.
This applies to the selected production, not your company's other work.
Previous experience
Typically two or three productions, or a production-ready team with a convincing track record.
Strong storytelling
Brand-new theatre, including new writing, with a clear story or theatrical concept.
Producing capacity
A producer attached, or a company member willing to take on that responsibility.
An audience in mind
A realistic understanding of who will buy tickets and how you'll reach them.
Suitable for the space
A clear creative and practical plan for staging the show at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
Plans for the future
Interest in touring, transfer or further development after the first run.
Not eligible: issue-led proposals without a strong story or theatrical concept; adaptations of previous work; classic revivals; cabaret or comedy formats such as improv.
Applications encouraged: companies beyond our existing networks, particularly LGBT+, working-class and Global Majority theatre-makers.
FIVE WEEKS.
FOUR SHOWS.
Three independent companies each premiere a completely new show in a five-night run.
A new Proforca Theatre Company production completes the season across two weeks.
Exact performance dates will be confirmed with selected companies.
Independent premieres
Three new productions, one five-night run each.
Weeks of Proforca
One new production across two weeks.
Outlined: independent companies / Black: Proforca
KEY DATES.
Applications open
Submit the form, proposed show details and at least a first-draft script.
Applications close
The submission window closes and shortlisting begins.
First-round pitches
Longlisted companies present their proposals at the Lion & Unicorn.
Final-round pitches
Finalists discuss creative, production and marketing plans.
Season announcement
The selected companies and season are announced.
HERE4 on stage
New productions premiere at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS.
Select a topic to read the answers.
01 / The programme
What is HERE4 2027?
A financially supported season of completely new theatre from Proforca Theatre Company and the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. Three independent companies premiere new shows alongside a Proforca production.
Is this the same programme as Here | For?
HERE4 is the new name for the next season, following Here | For 2026 .
How many companies will be selected?
Three independent companies, each presenting a previously unproduced show over a five-night public run.
What does each company receive?
- £1,000 cash contribution
- One week of free rehearsal space
- A five-night public run
- Two technical and dress rehearsal days
- 50/50 box office split with no venue guarantee
- Marketing and PR support, including 50% towards PR costs
- Discounted photography and A/V packages
- Producing mentorship and industry guidance
- A dedicated press night
Does the £1,000 cover the full cost?
No. It's a contribution towards making the production, not a full budget. Your company remains responsible for meeting its production costs.
What does risk-free 50/50 box office mean?
You receive a 50/50 box office split without a venue guarantee payment or hire-fee exposure. You still need to budget for your production.
Is this a scratch night?
No. HERE4 is a fully audience-facing programme of complete productions. Each show receives a dedicated press night.
02 / The work and company
Who is HERE4 aimed at?
Companies with a track record of producing strong work and a new production they are ready to develop and present to public audiences.
Must the show be completely new?
Yes. The proposed show must never previously have been produced, at the Lion & Unicorn or anywhere else. Remounts, revivals, transfers and reworked existing productions are not eligible.
Can returning companies apply?
Yes. Companies that have previously been programmed at the Lion & Unicorn are welcome. The restriction applies to the proposed production, not the company.
Can we apply for our first production?
HERE4 isn't primarily aimed at first-time companies, but production-ready teams with relevant experience and a convincing plan will be considered.
What kinds of shows are you looking for?
Completely new, story-led theatre, including new writing, with a clear concept, audience awareness and ambitions beyond a single fringe run.
Are issue-led shows eligible?
Yes, if they're driven by a strong story or theatrical concept. An issue alone isn't enough.
Can we propose a revival or adaptation?
No. Classic revivals, adaptations of previous work, remounts and existing productions are excluded.
What about cabaret or improv?
Cabaret and comedy formats such as improv are not eligible for this programme.
Do we need a producer?
Yes. A producer must be attached, or someone in the company must be willing and able to take on that role.
Does the show need to suit the theatre?
Yes. The creative concept and production plan must be realistic for the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
Do we need confirmed touring plans?
No. We're looking for ambition and realistic thinking about the work's future, not a confirmed onward booking.
03 / Applications
When do applications open and close?
Applications open on Monday 9 November 2026 and close at 5pm on Sunday 10 January 2027.
Do we need a completed script?
You need to submit at least a first draft giving a comprehensive look at the story, characters, structure and theatrical approach.
What should the application contain?
Company details, your proposed new show, creative vision, production plans, marketing thinking and a first draft of the script. The application form contains full requirements.
How important is marketing?
Very. You should know who your audience is and have a realistic plan for selling tickets. The venue will support your marketing, but responsibility for promoting the show sits with your company.
How does selection work?
Applications are shortlisted after the deadline. Longlisted companies attend a first-round pitch in February. Finalists return for a second meeting to discuss their creative, production and marketing plans.
When are the companies announced?
The season announcement is planned for March 2027.
Do we need to be based in London?
A London-only requirement isn't stated in the programme brief. Companies must be able to fulfil their commitments at the Lion & Unicorn. Refer to the application form for full criteria.
04 / The season and exclusivity
When will HERE4 take place?
Across five weeks in September and October 2027. Three independent productions will each have a five-night run, alongside a two-week Proforca Theatre Company production.
How much rehearsal time is included?
One week of free rehearsal space and two days for technical and dress rehearsals, followed by the five-night public run.
What PR support is included?
Marketing support from Proforca and the Lion & Unicorn, a 50% contribution towards PR costs, access to discounted photography and A/V packages, and producing and industry mentorship. Specific press coverage isn't guaranteed.
Will we have a press night?
Yes. Each selected production receives a dedicated press night as part of its public run.
What is the exclusivity requirement?
Your HERE4 production cannot be performed within 30 miles of the Lion & Unicorn Theatre during the 12 weeks before its HERE4 opening or the 12 weeks after its final HERE4 performance, without the venue's prior written consent.
The restriction applies to the selected production, not to other work made by your company.
Applications close 10 January 2027.
Apply for HERE4 2027 ↗
MAKE YOUR
APPLICATION.
We're looking for companies with an entirely new, previously unproduced show and a clear plan for making it.
Tell us what you want to create, why it's right for HERE4 and what you want the work to become.
Please check the eligibility and exclusivity requirements before submitting.