The Turbine Theatre Announces Closure After Five Years in London
The Turbine Theatre, a 92-seat venue near Battersea Power Station in south London, will close its doors after five years of operation.
Opened in July 2019, the theatre has been home to a wide range of innovative productions and workshops, including the award-winning West End hit My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) and the first performances of the Gwyneth Paltrow ski-crash musical I Wish You Well.
The Turbine Theatre in Battersea
A Hub for Creative Innovation
The Turbine Theatre quickly became a key part of London's Off-West End theatre scene, providing a platform for emerging and experimental productions. Artistic Director Paul Taylor-Mills, who spearheaded the creation of the theatre, shared an emotional statement on social media, reflecting on the venue’s journey and its significant contribution to the arts community.
“To say I’m proud of what we have achieved with the Turbine Theatre is an understatement. Just over six years ago, I walked into an empty railway arch at Battersea Power Station. It was leaking, there was no dressing room, no bar—just a few fold-out chairs. But with an equal mix of excitement and fear, we created a theatre. A magic corner in Battersea where we could help as many people get projects off the ground as we dared to take on.”
Taylor-Mills highlighted the venue’s role in nurturing productions like My Son’s A Queer and I Wish You Well, noting that such projects might not have flourished without the support of the Turbine.
Challenges Facing Small Theatres
Despite the venue’s success, Taylor-Mills cited financial challenges as the primary reason for its closure. In his statement, he acknowledged the shifting landscape of theatre production, explaining that without significant investment and philanthropy, it has become increasingly difficult for small theatres to remain viable.
“As the landscape of making theatre shifts, without serious investment and philanthropy, a 92-seat space just can’t work. It’s time for me to focus my efforts elsewhere. The Turbine Theatre has been an absolute labour of love. It shouldn’t have worked. But it did, and I’m so incredibly proud of the lives it’s changed and the dreams it’s made come true.”
Legacy and Final Productions
Throughout its five-year run, the Turbine Theatre has been a launchpad for several notable productions, including Torch Song, directed by Drew McOnie, and Closer to Heaven. The venue’s final production will be the adult pantomime The Liar, The Bitch and The Wardrobe, which will run from November 21 to December 22, 2024. A previously scheduled production, Blowing Whistles, was postponed earlier this year and is no longer booking.
Taylor-Mills expressed gratitude to the theatre’s loyal audiences and supporters, emphasizing the importance of smaller, fringe theatres in nurturing new talent. He urged theatre lovers to continue supporting these vital spaces.
“Go and support these theatres. They are the heartbeat of theatre and allow artists a safe place to dream.”
Future Plans
As the Turbine Theatre prepares to close, Taylor-Mills will shift his focus to his role as Artistic Director at The Other Palace, where he is working on the UK premiere of The Lightning Thief. In his parting words, he reflected on the risks and rewards of theatre-making, quoting one of his mentors, Bill Kenwright: "No risk, no magic."
The closure of the Turbine Theatre marks the end of a vibrant chapter in London's theatre scene. However, its impact will live on through the groundbreaking productions and artistic opportunities it fostered.
