The Yard Theatre Reopens in Hackney Wick After £7m Rebuild with Ian McKellen as Lear
The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick, East London, has reopened following a £7 million renovation. Originally started as a temporary venue in a warehouse in 2011 by Jay Miller, the theatre has undergone significant upgrades, doubling its seating capacity and enhancing facilities, thanks to the design by Takero Shimazaki Architects. Sustainable features, including a natural ventilation system, have been incorporated into the design. The current season began in July with Ntozake Shange's play, which saw an extended run due to its popularity. Looking ahead, Sir Ian McKellen is set to portray King Lear in November, continuing the venue’s legacy of innovation.
Key facts
- The Yard Theatre was founded in 2011 by Jay Miller in a disused warehouse in Hackney Wick, London.
- The original 110-seat auditorium was built from scavenged scaffolding, planks, and plastic chairs.
- A £7m redevelopment demolished the original structure and built a new one designed by Takero Shimazaki Architects.
- The new theatre doubles capacity and includes a six-storey chimney, expanded bar, and sustainable features.
- The reopening season includes Ntozake Shange's for colored girls... and a King Lear riff with Ian McKellen in November.
- Ian McKellen's performance will be his first major theatrical role since a 2024 stage fall.
- The Yard has premiered works by Nina Segal, Josh Azouz, Michaela Coel, and Alexander Zeldin.
- Actors Emma D'Arcy and Ncuti Gatwa performed at The Yard early in their careers.
Entities
Artists
- Jay Miller
- Nina Segal
- Josh Azouz
- Emma D'Arcy
- Ncuti Gatwa
- Michaela Coel
- Alexander Zeldin
- Ntozake Shange
- Ian McKellen
- Simon Stephens
- Jackie Collins
- Fergus Morgan
- Rob Icke
Institutions
- The Yard Theatre
- L'École Jacques Lecoq
- Royal Court
- Almeida
- National Theatre
- Takero Shimazaki Architects
- In Bed With My Brother
- Malmö Dockteater
- The Crush Bar
Locations
- Hackney
- London
- United Kingdom
- Newcastle
- Paris
- France
- Hackney Wick
- Stratford
- Malmö
- Sweden
- Edinburgh