Kiln Theatre sits in the heart of Kilburn in Brent, the most culturally diverse borough in London. We produce high-quality, entertaining and innovative work – real human stories that reflect the richness of our local communities and the wider world.
We are a place of creative transformation and artistic ambition – an empowering space where community connection sits at the heart of everything we do.
Our building starting life in 1929 as a meeting hall for the Friendly Society of Foresters. The hall was converted to a theatre in 1980 by Shirley Barrie and Ken Chubb, who named it the Tricycle Theatre in honour of their touring theatre company, the Wakefield Tricycle Company. In 1984, Nicolas Kent became the artistic director and for the next 28 years grew its reputation as a major political powerhouse. Indhu Rubasingham joined as artistic director in 2012 and after a much-needed, major architectural renovation, the building re-opened as Kiln Theatre in September 2018. Amit Sharma became Kiln’s new artistic director in 2023.
As Tricycle and now Kiln, we are proud of our history and passionate about our future. We nurture talent and develop pathways whilst celebrating diversity and removing barriers – driving world-class theatre and opening up opportunities for who gets to make it.
All of this can only happen in Kilburn. Its streets, the communities and all of those who live here are not just the backdrop to our stage, but are the very story. We engage with what Kilburn has to say and we make a difference to its future.
The venue has a 292 seat theatre alongside a 291 seat cinema auditorium, a bar and restaurant plus two rehearsal spaces which are used for our productions, workshops and Creative Engagement projects.
We believe that theatre can be for anyone. Our doors are open to all, and your stories live here.