The Bunker - new studio theatre in Southwark

[Deleted]

Sounds interesting ... www.bunkertheatre.com/

It's underneath the Menier.

www.thestage.co.uk/news/2016/new-south-london-theatre-the-bunker-to-open-in-october-2016/

operation of the venue has now been taken on by Joel Fisher and director Joshua McTaggart, who have already programmed four months-worth of shows in the venue following its opening in October.



This includes a transfer of Philip Ridley play Tonight With Donny Stixx, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, and a new musical, Muted, which will run over the Christmas season as an alternative to the tradition of pantomime.

[Deleted]

And it has the same font as the yard....

[Deleted]

Saw "Tonight With Donny Stixx" last night. Great show - intense 80 minutes by Philip Ridley. It's an amazing one man performance by Sean Verey telling the story of a teenage would-be magician leading up to some shocking events.

Liked the venue too. It's underneath the Menier, with the entrance to the side of the Menier entrance. Seating on 3 sides, with an excellent rake - looked like it was probably reconfigurable for different shows. Unallocated seating. Concrete ceiling (it used to be a car park) so presumably good sound insulation between the two theatres. Very friendly staff. Paper-free ticketing - they swiped your name on an ipad on the way in. (I wonder if the app for this is called Theatr?) Tiny bar and no foyer to speak of - so imagine it would be a bit of a squeeze for a full show. Similar feel to Southwark Playhouse in terms of decor.

Toilets are unisex (4 cubicles) and outside the theatre entrance. So if you were feeling cheeky they could be a useful way of avoiding the queue for the Menier loos

[Deleted]

Sad news ...

www.bunkertheatre.com/about-us/news-the-bunker-to-close

After an incredible tenure, The Bunker is closing its doors. Due to proposed redevelopment of the site, The Bunker will present its final show at 53a Southwark Street on Saturday 28th March 2020, three and a half years after the theatre opened in October 2016.



Over the past three years, The Bunker has seen over 160 productions from single nights to month-long runs. This year 86% of writers and 90% of directors working in the theatre identified as women, and the majority of writers and directors working with the venue identified as being from a background underrepresented on UK stages. The inclusivity seen in The Bunker's programming extends to its audience. Having welcomed over 40,000 ticketholders through the doors, it has also made over 500 tickets available for free this year through Black Ticket Project and committed since opening to make £10 tickets available at each performance for under-25s which increased to under-30s in 2018. A high percentage of visitors have been first-time theatregoers and from all socio-economic backgrounds, races, genders, religions, disabilities and sexualities.

Hope they find a new home to continue in. Given the short notice I guess they weren't expecting this news.

[NorthernAlien]

Oh that's a shame. I only discovered this place mid-2018, and I've seen some really interesting stuff there. Hope they find somewhere to relocate to.

[Phantom of London]

Never been there.

Is the bunker owned by the Menier?

[Deleted]

Oct 30, 2019 13:50:27 GMT Phantom of London said:

Never been there.

Is the bunker owned by the Menier?

No, it's a separate entity. If you look at an aerial view, I think it's not actually underneath the Menier, its underneath the open space behind the Menier, which may belong to the building on O'Meara Street. Possibly that's what's being redeveloped for an office or residential development.

[Someone in a tree]

I hope its a housing development as there is a shortage of luxury apartments* in London




* what doesn't anyone say flats anymore?

[Phantom of London]

Didn’t know if the surrounding land also belonged to the Menier, next to it, is some kind of outside drinking venue that plays music, music a bit too loud, you can hear it inside the Menier and it is worse when plays are on.