Tom Ratcliffe News

'Why do you want to be a parent?' This expansive, almost unanswerable question is one of many asked to gay couple Zeb and Eoin when they decide they want to adopt. In Breeding, writer Barry McStay unpacks the ‘new normal’ of queer parenthood in a crowd-pleasing narrative that doesn’t shy away from the darker moments.

King's Head Theatre has released details of the forthcoming shows this spring / summer, both at the venue's new purpose built 200-seat Main House, and the intimate and versatile 50-seat Cabaret House. 

The King’s Head Theatre has announced that BREEDING, a drama about adopting as queer parents, will return with a new production for a four-week run. Learn more about the show here!

The King’s Head Theatre charity has announced they will be closing their home of 53 years on 13 August 2023, and moving into a custom-built new theatre immediately behind the existing venue in Islington Square, with an opening date and programme to be announced.

The King's Head Theatre has announced details of David Cumming's (co-Artistic Director SpitLip and Kill the Beast, Co-creator Operation Mincemeat) season of work: QUEER FUTURES: A FESTIVAL OF THE NOW WHICH IS YET TO COME. This will be the final of the four seasons of The Takeover, diverse programmes of work curated by guest artistic directors in the iconic Islington pub.

The King's Head Theatre has announced details of Tania Azevedo's LGBTQ+ Musical Theatre focused season, MT PRIDE LAB, celebrating the best in developing musical theatre. The announcement marks the third season in The Takeover, four seasons curated by guest artistic directors in the iconic Islington pub. Tania's season, with performances from 6 June - 31 July, features the best and brightest new LGBTQ+ musical theatre.

Following sell out performances in April as part of their Queer Interrogation season the ground-breaking, critically acclaimed Gay play Self Tape is back for a limited run at The Kings Head Theatre from 18th June - 2nd July.

The King's Head Theatre has announced details of Tania Azevedo's LGBTQ+ Musical Theatre focused season, MT PRIDE LAB, celebrating the best in developing musical theatre.

HighTide Rising opens the first season of work under the company's new Artistic Director Clare Slater. This intimate one-day play reading festival on 20 May will showcase new work by playwrights from the East of England.

Tangerines is a punchy new play exploring the monarchy & their relationship to queerness. The show is part of A Queer Interrogation: a season of bold new writing selectively curated by Tom Ratcliffe for The Takeover Festival.

Isabel Adomakoh Young is the first Guest Artistic Director for 'The Takeover' at the King's Head. We spoke to her about what the audience can expect from the season, how directing enhances skillset, and the importance of celebrating successes.

The King's Head Theatre has announced further details of A QUEER INTERROGATION, the second season of the Takeover, curated by Guest Artistic Director Tom Ratcliffe, playing at the iconic Islington pub theatre 19 April – 14 May.

The King's Head Theatre has announced that the world premiere of BREEDING – a funny, moving drama about adopting as queer parents – will headline the second Takeover season.

The King's Head Theatre has announced the full programme for SIGHT UNSEEN – a season of work unpacking diversity and unheard voices, curated by Guest Artistic Director Isabel Adomakoh Young as part of The Takeover.

Islington's King's Head Theatre has announced The Takeover, where four guest Artistic Directors have been given the opportunity to curate and programme their own seasons’ from the end of March to August 2023. 

Any one of us could die at any time, with no warning and no reason behind it. This is the heartbreaking truth we grapple with in Tom Ratcliffe’s Wreckage, now running at the Turbine Theatre.

The award-winning production of Wreckage is now open at London's Turbine Theatre following a successful run at Edinburgh's Summerhall as part of this year's Fringe Festival.

All new character photos have been released for Wreckage, which will be heading to London in January 2023. 

Tom Ratcliffe writes and directs a bleak drag comedy on the trappings of modern fame, exploring online relevance, performative activism, and authenticity. He introduces a contemporary anti-hero who quickly learns that audience is currency and who's ready to do what it takes to become viral. Fame Whore is a clever, hilarious play full of personality, populated by pop culture references, and lined with solid social commentary.

Gigi Zahir, aka Crayola the Queen stars as Becky Biro in FAME WHORE by Tom Ratcliffe at The King's Head Theatre, London. Running until 29th October. See photos here!