The Kitchen 2011

Opened: September 7, 2011
Closing: November 09, 2011

The Kitchen - 2011 - West End History , Info & More

National Theatre (Olivier)
(Waterloo) South Bank London

1950s London. In the kitchen of an enormous West End restaurant, the orders are piling up: a post-war feast of soup, fish, cutlets, omelettes and fruit flans.



Fifteen hundred customers an' half of them eating fish. I had to start work on a Friday.



Thrown together by their work, chefs, waitresses and porters from across Europe – English, Irish, German, Jewish – argue and flirt as they race to keep up. Peter, a high-spirited young cook, seems to thrive on the pressure. In between preparing dishes, he manages to strike up an affair with married waitress Monique, the whole time dreaming of a better life. But in the all-consuming clamour of the kitchen, nothing is far from the brink of collapse.



We all said we wouldn’t last the day, but tell me - what is there a man can’t get used to?



Arnold Wesker’s extraordinary play premiered at the Royal Court in 1959 and has since been performed in over 30 countries. The Kitchen puts the workplace centre stage in a blackly funny and furious examination of life lived at breakneck speed, when work threatens to define who we are.

Get The Kitchen Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Renee Rap, Laufey, Janelle Monáe, & More Headline 10th Anniversary of All Things Go Festival
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 16, 2024


All Things Go Festival 2024 has announced its 10th-anniversary edition, with headliners Laufey, who will be accompanied by The Kennedy Center Orchestra, Hozier, and Reneé Rapp as well as Bleachers, Janelle Monáe, Conan Gray, Chappell Roan and more. They will be performing at the legendary Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD on Saturday, September. 28th, and Sunday, September 29th. Tickets will be available on Friday, April 19th @ 10 am ET.

Recap the Many Plays of THE OUTSIDERS Book Writer Adam Rapp
by Stephi Wild - Apr 12, 2024


The Outsiders marks Adam Rapp's first book of a musical that he has written, but he's no stranger to writing for the stage, having written several plays throughout his career. In honor of Rapp's first musical coming to Broadway, we're taking a walk down memory lane and revisiting some of his plays.

Krysta Rodriguez & More to Perform at Signature Theatre Gala Honoring Nathan Lane
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 27, 2024


On April 29, 2024, Signature Theatre will honor icon of stage and screen Nathan Lane with the company’s thirteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Learn more!

Broadway In Indianapolis And Sun King Brewery Announce HADESTOWN-Themed Beer
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 15, 2024


Broadway in Indianapolis and Sun King announce their new show, DON'T LOOK BACK. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting theatrical event.

Is Michael Greif Setting a Record by Directing 3 Shows This Season?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Mar 10, 2024


This time, the reader question was: Is Michael Greif setting a record by directing three shows this season?

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 5, 2024
by - Mar 5, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 5, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Blancmange to Release Career-Spanning Collection 'Everything Is Connected (The Best of Blancmange 1979-2024)'
by Michael Major - Feb 28, 2024


English synth-pop band Blancmange's story is one of two distinct chapters. In the early '80s they infused the emergent synth-pop scene with oblique lyrics, wry British humor and occasionally tabla-tinged sonics, an unlikely mix which saw them soar into the UK Top 10 with singles such as 'Living On The Ceiling', 'Blind Vision' and 'Don't Tell Me'.

Everything New On Max This March: What's Coming & Going
by Michael Major - Feb 26, 2024


Discover the latest additions coming to Max this March. Stay updated on the newest releases and must-watch shows. Plus, find out what titles are leaving in March. Get ready to stream your favorites!

Internationally Acclaimed Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Returns For Its 92nd Season
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 20, 2024


See lineup for Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2024, featuring performances from renowned international and American artists like The Royal Ballet of the United Kingdom, Camille A. Brown & Dancers, and more. Tickets on sale soon!

Maleah Joi Moon, Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon & More Will Reprise Roles in HELL'S KITCHEN on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 7, 2024


AKW Productions has just announced the Broadway premiere of the new musical HELL’S KITCHEN and we have the full list of stars and newcomers!

Joe Bonsall, Tenor Singer For The Oak Ridge Boys, Announces Retirement From Touring
by Michael Major - Jan 3, 2024


Joe Bonsall, tenor singer for fifty years for The Oak Ridge Boys, has announced his plans to retire from touring. During a Saturday, December 30th concert in Greenville, Mississippi, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban introduced Ben James (Doyle Lawson, Dailey & Vincent) to an enthusiastic audience at Harlow's Casino Resort.

Updated: Darren Criss and Evan Rachel Wood Will Star in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Beginning in January
by Blair Ingenthron - Dec 23, 2023


According to Darren Criss, he and Evan Rachel Wood will be headed to Skid Row for a short run as Seymour and Audrey, beginning in late January through the end of March.

What's New On Max This January 2024
by Michael Major - Dec 21, 2023


Find out what's new on Max this January, including the Debut of HBO Original “True Detective: Night Country” and Max Original “On the Roam,” New Seasons Of Max Original “Sort Of,' HBO Original “Real Time with Bill Maher,” And Adult Swim's “Rick and Morty,” And Debut of HBO Original Documentary “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project.'

Terry Spencer Hesser And Dexter Bullard Unite To Bring CHRISTMAS WITH ELVIS Back To Chicago, November 24 - January 7
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 17, 2023


Terry Spencer Hesser's hilarious and insightful play “Christmas With Elvis” returns to Chicago after 32 years in a production directed by Dexter Bullard at Chopin Theatre Nov. 24 - Jan. 7.

La Jolla Playhouse Unveils Projects for 2023 DNA New Work Series
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2023


La Jolla Playhouse has revealed the dates and projects for its 2023 DNA New Work Series, running November 30 – December 10.

Craig Wallace to Return As Ebenezer Scrooge In Ford's Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 1, 2023


Craig Wallace will return as Ebenezer Scrooge in Ford’s Theatre production of 'A Christmas Carol'. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets!

CHRISTMAS WITH ELVIS By Terry Spencer Hesser To Run At November 24- January 7
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 24, 2023


Terry Spencer Hesser's hilarious and insightful play “Christmas With Elvis” returns to Chicago after 32 years in a production directed by Dexter Bullard at Chopin Theatre Nov. 24 - Jan. 7.

Out Today! Parents' Choice Gold Winner Susie Tallman's New Single, 'Pizza Pasta Opera'
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 20, 2023


Parents' Choice Gold Award-winning family musician Susie Tallman has a new single, “Pizza Pasta Opera,” and, in celebration of National Pizza Month and National Pasta Month, it's out today!

Feature: UPFRONT! at At ShadowBox Live
by Paul Batterson - Oct 15, 2023


Shadowbox Live CEO Stacie Boord sees UpFront is a way of “serving a community of artists who don’t have a home.”

AVGI & MEMNON �" LOUNGE ROCK Comes to Agrovino Wine Bar Lofou
by Stephi Wild - Oct 9, 2023


AVGI & MEMNON – LOUNGE ROCK will be performed  on Thursday 16 November 8pm at Agrovino Wine Bar Lofou, featuring Avgi Stavrou (vocals) and Memnon Arestis (guitar). Learn more about the upcoming performance here!

VICKY & ERMIS PLAY JAZZ at O Linós Ineia in November
by Stephi Wild - Oct 2, 2023


Τhe duo, Vicky Anastasiou on vocals and Ermis Michail on guitar, perform their original arrangements of their favourite songs from various corners of the world using the elements of improvisation featuring the voice and the guitar. Learn more about the performance here!

OUTSHINE LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL Fort Lauderdale Unveils Full Film Schedule For 15th Anniversary Edition
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 29, 2023


OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Fort Lauderdale, internationally acclaimed as one of the largest LGBTQ+ cultural festivals in the world, is proud to announce its 15th anniversary film schedule.

Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Hadi Tabbal & More to Star in THE WINTER'S TALE at Folger Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 26, 2023


Tickets are now on sale for The Winter’s Tale at Folger Theatre! The Winter's Tale is Shakespeare romance that takes audiences on an exhilarating journey, weaving together a series of complex relationships.

John Oliver and Seth Meyers to Play the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace on New Year's Eve
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 25, 2023


JOHN OLIVER AND SETH MEYERS will team up for a hilarious New Year's Eve show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Get ticket and event information here!

Lana Del Rey, Sky Ferreira-Collaborator PAPA Releases New Song
by Michael Major - Sep 21, 2023


PAPA is Darren Weiss, who has been a staple in the Los Angeles indie music scene for over a decade and has worked and toured with the likes of everyone from Lana Del Rey to Sky Ferreira, from Perfume Genius to Girls. He announced PAPA’s new album and the first PAPA record since 2016, Dig Yourself Or Dig A Hole

The Kitchen FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Kitchen have there been?
The Kitchen has had 2 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1966 and West End which opened in 2011.

Videos