Arcola Theatre
Now Playing: Crocodile Fever
A dark and twisted love letter to sisterhood.
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What Visitors Say
I saw a really good and engaging theater performance here. The show was excellent, and the theater's location and access to public transportation are great. There's also a bar in the theater where you can order drinks.
The space itself is lovely, with the right human scale: spacious enough to feel at easy, but intimate enough to feel you can connect with other audience members and the performers. The play was inspiring, emotional and beautifully executed, and seeing the list of other shows just made me want to go again and again. Wonderful discovery!
We attended the Arcola theatre for the first time to see Dear Martin and were very impressed with the whole experience, the play itself was extremely entertaining and all actors were excellent and engaging. We are returning to see Cry Baby in 2 weeks time and will definitely keep an eye on future performances as we really enjoyed the more intimate nature of a much smaller theatre. Top marks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great independent theatre. I’ve only been in one theatre (the one upstairs with street access), it was cold in there and the volume towards the end of the production was far too loud, many people were covering their ears! But the play was brilliant (crocodile fever). There was a good drink and snack selection with kind staff. However there is not much space to sit during the interval. The toilets need a bit of TLC ! All in all, I’ll definitely be back!
Went to see the play 'Crocodile Fever recently, that's another review..!! However, now, the venue. Basic and bohemian, not my usual haunt. The bar bill was reasonable though limited. It had the feel of an old Irish pub in Kilburn c.1990. The theatre seating was acceptable. Not somewhere I'm likely to go again, but that was influenced partly because of the production itself.
About Arcola Theatre
Winner of multiple awards including two Peter Brook Empty Space Awards and two Time Out Live Awards.
Venue Tips
✨ Best For
Intimate theatre, experimental drama, opera, new writing and community-driven productions in an authentic East London setting.
💺 Best Seats
Front and centre of both studio spaces for maximum immersion — the performance is often just metres away.
⚠️ Seats to Avoid
Avoid the back corners of Studio 2 where pillars may partially obstruct sightlines. In Studio 1, far side seats can miss staging done on the opposite wall.
Things to Know Before You Go
Where is the Arcola Theatre located?
On Ashwin Street in Dalston, a short walk from Dalston Junction Overground.
Which Tube stations are closest?
Highbury & Islington is the closest Tube (Victoria line), with Overground trains from Dalston Junction even nearer.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 20–30 minutes early to get drinks from the bar and settle into the studio before the performance.
Is there a dress code?
No dress code — relaxed, casual atmosphere. Warm layers recommended in winter.
Is the theatre wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Level access is available to bar and Studio 1. Some Studio 2 performances may have limited access — check in advance.
Are food and drinks available?
Yes. The café-bar serves snacks, coffee, wine and beer before the show and during the interval.
🤓 Fun Facts
Founded in 2000 in a former textiles factory on Arcola Street before moving to Ashwin Street in 2011.
Home to the annual Grimeborn Festival — a playful opera and musical theatre event held every August.
Has launched work that later transferred to the West End, including Mojo Mickey.
Runs one of the largest arts engagement programmes in East London.
Aims to become the first carbon-neutral theatre through the Green Arcola project.
Nearby Places
Hackney Museum
17 min 👣
Hackney Empire
17 min 👣
Sutton House
21 min 👣
Museum of the Home
21 min 👣
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
22 min 👣
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History
23 min 👣
Centre for Recent Drawing
26 min 👣
Campbell Works
26 min 👣
Vagina Museum
28 min 👣
Young V&A
30 min 👣
Arsenal Football Club Museum
32 min 👣Venue Location
Nearest Tube Stations
- Highbury & Islington Victoria Zone 2 1.97 km