An innovative new writing theatre and creative space opens in the heart of East London.
Playhouse East, a new creative arts hub with a 100-seat theatre and diverse studio spaces, has opened in Haggerston, East London. The unashamed ambition from husband and wife team, James Alexandrou and Avital Lvova, is to create THE home for new theatre and film.
The Playhouse theatre will house groundbreaking new writing under the same roof as their innovative acting studio Actors East, alongside various new creative studios fully serving everything from pre to post production for theatre, TV and film.
Playhouse East is designed to challenge traditional routes to the industry by providing an accessible and collaborative space for emerging voices in theatre, film, and beyond. By offering flexible, cost-effective pathways—including a unique ‘pay what you can’ model for studio hire—the venue actively fosters a community where creative risk and high-quality production thrive side by side.
The founders bring extensive creative industry experience to their new venture. James is a filmmaker, writer, theatre maker, and actor with a 27-year acting career, most notably in EastEnders and at The Globe and 15 years in filmmaking. Co-founder Avital is an award-winning actress and theatre-maker, having been a two-time Fringe First Award Winner (2017 & 2018) and an Off West End Theatre Award: Best Female Performer nominee in 2017. Her recent acting work includes The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Sky) and Treason (Netflix).
On the ground floor of Playhouse East, The Downstairs, serves as a café and smaller events space where performances can develop before moving upstairs to the main theatre. There are four ground floor studio spaces and a rehearsal room, Studio Tardieu. Upstairs is The Playhouse, a fully adaptable theatre and main space for screenings, events, workshops, gigs, and more. The theatre’s inaugural production Casserole will run 12th- 20th December.
Playhouse East is progressing toward becoming a fully equipped centre to serve all aspects of film and theatre production, from pre- to post-production. Playhouse East’s sister company, Actors East, will also move into the building. Playhouse East will host a regular series of events, including new writing nights, jazz nights, cabaret, play readings and poetry evenings. The building will also be used by charity and not-for-profit organisations including Intermission Youth, a theatre company patronised by Mark Rylance that transform the lives of disadvantaged young people by equipping them with the tools to make positive life choices through theatre and Shakespeare
PLAYHOUSE EAST- 258 Kingsland Road, London E8 4DG
Website: Playhouse East