THE REP Theatre Company.
Formerly the Rotherhithe and East London Playhouse, THE REP now unites the multi-award-winning Gods and Monsters, Steam Industry, Essential Classics, and The London Free Theatre Season— in celebration of 25 years of artistic direction by Phil Willmott.
Very soon, we’ll return to what we do best:
bringing the classics of our shared heritage to life in bold, big-hearted, and topical productions—always accessible and affordable for everyone.
But right now, we’re on a mission.
We’re recruiting.
We’re calling on all professionally trained and aspiring performers, theatre makers, and theatre lovers from any profession, to sign up below, donate whatever time, skills, or passion you have to give—
AND JOIN THE COMPANY.
Here’s why:
Even at the best of times only a fraction of the UK's gifted performers and theatre makers got the chance to earn a living in their chosen profession
Thousands of professionals have given up and turned away, and many have built new lives in other more secure industries.
Audiences have disengaged never to return or be replaced.
After 14 successive years of cuts to cultural funding and arts education in state schools so few people from lower income backgrounds have been introduced to theatre that venues and companies have closed for good and public interest, political influence and private and public investment is at rock bottom.
Right now a career beyond commercial musicals is out of the question for all but a few working in a handful of elite venues.
Yet we know there are still millions of people, ourselves, our kids, our friends, our families, our pupils , our colleagues, who could still be entertained, enlightened and empowered by the magic of live theatre...
...if it were introduced to them somewhere affordable, accessible and where they could feel at ease.
WE'RE THERE FOR THEM.
And there are thousands of us, now working in mainstream jobs, who'd still love to be making theatre.
- Who invested years in training for a profession that had no opportunities for them.
- Who made extraordinary work in theatres across the UK and long to do so again.
WE'RE THERE FOR THEM
COULD WE BE THERE FOR YOU?
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Our name for volunteer activists dedicated to bringing people back to theatre after decades of cuts to arts funding and education have left it irrelevant and obsolete.
Inspiring new audiences and artists, attracting new funding, creating new jobs and ensuring a brighter future.
And it isn’t just voluntary performers, theatre makers and Londoners we’re looking for.
If we’re to thrive we’ll need to recruit passionate theatre enthusiasts willing to volunteer the widest range of experience, expertise or a willingness to learn, at our London HQ or remotely nation wide. Read More
And if you're not sure how best to contribute have a chat with us and we'll find the best fit for you.
Can you invest any of your free time
in making and performing theatre again?
IF SO THEN TOGETHER WE CAN -
1. Go out and win over new audiences.
2. Inspire emerging artists as we were once inspired.
3. Convince politicians, funders and sponsors that
We're back and we're worth investing in again.
HOW?
We make professional theatre in the evenings and at weekends—because many of our actors, designers, technicians, and volunteers work full-time jobs to support themselves. This schedule allows them to take part without sacrificing their income.
We stage our productions in pop-up venues we create within local communities—often in areas with few other opportunities to experience live performance. In doing so, we connect with new audiences and discover new artists, helping to build a future for UK theatre where more of us can make a living once again.
It's as simple
and challenging
as that!
We know that volunteering must never replace a properly funded sector. Continued dependence on unpaid labour risks exploitation and burnout.
So we recommend you check our Campaign for Fair Pay page and join the fight for long term alternatives.
We're always considering the best schedule to allow for a quality production to be created within as concentrated a period of voluntary commitment as possible.
At present we’re experimenting with timetabling each production, rehearsals and performances, over approximately two months of ‘long weekends’, with sessions 7 pm–10 pm Mon & Fri, plus three sessions Sat & Sun (10 am–10 pm with breaks)
Every rehearsal after a long day,
every set built at midnight,
every poster hung before dawn
is a testament to our commitment, solidarity and how much we believe in this work.
And every performance that happens, every audience we reach and every young artists we inspire is a victory we share together.
BUT FOR NOW...
"93% OF UK SCHOOL CHILDRENARE MISSING OUT ON THE ARTS OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED TO THE PRIVATELY EDUCATED 7%"
Melvyn Bragg THE HOUSE OF LORDS
There is no one who'll pay enough of us to reach all those excluded by years of cuts to arts education.
Unfair and unjust though the situation may be,
volunteering is now the only way left
to create the amount of MEANINGFUL work
which could make any kind of impression
on a disinterested or alienated public.
Because engaging new, diverse audiences NOW means tomorrows theatre will reflect modern Britain for a vibrant future that's artistically and socially relevant.
Most of our tickets are free for anyone accessing food banks
and subsidised school meals and offered on a "pay what you can afford" basis, to everyone else to ensure EVERYONE can participate
IN OUR LAST AUDIENCE SURVEY,
34% of participants said they did not identify as White,
49% were under 35 years old,
72% said they were Londoners,
79% said cost had put them off theatre.
99% rated the performance 'Excellent'
DONATIONS
If you'd like to help fund what we do or donate space equipment or consultancy please contact us at TheRepOffice@gmail.com
THANKS TO
Davor Golub and Matthew Ostrower for ongoing encouragement and sponsorship
Tim Winter for limitless patience and support
Marcelo Ribas for funding this website
Business Moves Group for auditorium seating
Workspace for hosting this stage of our journey