Since launching three decades ago Camden People’s Theatre has been the springboard for many companies now boasting international reputations. For 30 years, a small theatre in the heart of London – Camden People’s Theatre (CPT) has punched well above its weight, providing a vital platform for hundreds if not thousands of artists, dozens of whom have gone on to become major voices in the theatre and entertainment worlds in a list that includes Olivier nominees, West-End stars, internationally renowned theatre companies, and TV faces.
Initially operating on a shoestring, an article in the Ham&High newspaper appeared in March 1995, which heralded the founding of Camden People’s Theatre by “a group of idealistic young theatremakers taking over a former pub in Hampstead Road near Euston and put on politically engaged work with a community facing agenda”
In the early days, CPT had to overcome a plethora of challenges, from leaky ceilings to financial insecurity, and even at one point – squatters. But the team persevered and before long CPT had become established as central to the capital’s championing of experimental, innovative theatre.
On 30th January 2025, CPT will host an event as the culmination of a year-long celebration of the milestone of a tricennial of creating, producing, championing and hosting bold and unconventional new theatre productions.
The event will celebrate how the past three decades have seen CPT become a fundamental part of London’s creative landscape, nurturing the next generation of theatre-makers and cementing its role as a vital community hub for the people of the borough and beyond. CPT’s commitment to fostering new talent has been central to its identity.
Founded with a mission to challenge conventional narratives and spark new ways of thinking, as the years have passed and new generations of theatre makers have emerged, CPT has consistently operated with one central goal; to support emerging artists to create adventurous theatre. Over the past 30 years, it has grown into one of the city’s most influential grass-roots arts hubs – a playground for ideas and an open door to the creative industries for artists working in non-traditional ways and who have taken non-traditional routes into the arts.
Of the hundreds, possibly thousands of performers who have graced CPT’s stage with their early career work, there’s an abundance of much-loved artists whose careers have become cemented in the British consciousness and who credit Camden People’s Theatre with being part of their core support network back when it all began. Here’s a small selection..
Tobi King Bakare took his very first steps on stage at CPT at the age of 17 in ‘Fog Everywhere’. Today, the 30-year-old is well known to TV audiences for his starring role in Sky’s Temple Series 1 and 2 playing fugitive bank robber Jamie. And he is perhaps most celebrated for his stage work, where last year Tobi shone as one of the core cast of six in ‘FOR BLACK BOYS Who have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy’ in 2024 in London’s West End (Garrick Theatre) which received 5 stars from the Guardian, Independent, Telegraph, Daily Mail and FT. Twelve years after ‘Fog Everywhere’, Tobi returned to CPT in 2023 to perform his one-man play ‘Before I Go’ – his debut as a playwright.
Haley McGee will be known as Dorothy Skerrit to fans of Doctor Who (‘Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror’ episode, in series 12 of the beloved TV show), and to theatre lovers she is even better known having been nominated for an Olivier Award in 2023 for her solo theatre show ‘Age Is A Feeling’.
But prior to this, back when it all began, Hayely’s second-ever production ‘The Ex Boyfriend Yard Sale’, was supported by CPT all the way from installation right through to a global tour and critically acclaimed book. CPT supported the show right from the very first Work in Progress as part of the theatre’s ‘Starting Blocks’ programme (the theatre’s development scheme which supports solo artists and small companies to develop new work and establish themselves as independent theatre practitioners). Hayley says ”I love CPT — they absolutely launched my career in the UK and I’m forever grateful”
The creators of the renowned and ‘unconventional, innovative and accessible’ theatre company Ridiculusmus credit CPT with being the launchpad for their career in theatre. Their break-out show “Yes Yes Yes’ won the Time Out Live Award for Best Off-West End production, a Total Theatre Award for Best British Production, and a Herald Angel Award. The company later became resident at the Barbican Centre and part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.
Writer and performer and former Associate Artist at the Royal Exchange, Chris Thorpe is also the founding member of ‘Unlimited Theatre’ – a company well known for being pioneers in bringing together theatre and science. As Chris’ career went from strength to strength he remained close to CPT as a long-time supporter and for a long time, a board member 2013–2020).
Fevered Sleep is an arts company making bold projects primarily in dance and their work also covers theatre, film, digital projects, books and installations. They bring performances to places such as Sydney Opera House, The Young Vic and Sadlers Wells and are inclusive of children, adults and sometimes even animals. Their early experimental work at CPT is an experience they credit as helping to establish their participatory approach.
Rebecca Biscuit and Louise Mothersole were both previously associate artists at CPT for five years. Collectively, they are better known as Sh!t Theatre company; a much loved and critically acclaimed theatrical comedy duo with intentionally DIY aesthetic, grotesque clown make-up with often political material. Sh!t Theatre shows celebrate live-ness and improvisation. Their adult-only Christmas Show about Love Actually was CPT’s fastest-ever selling show. Since premiering shows at CPT, Sh!t has gone on to win a Total Theatre Award for emerging companies, the ThreeWeeks Editors Choice Award, a Scotsman Fringe First Award and an Overall Best Theatre Award and Critics Circle Award in Adelaide.
Award-winning multi-arts collective Highrise are known for representing unheard communities and stories of inner-city Britain. The team are at the forefront of youth arts engagement across the UK and have previously partnered with the likes of Nike, The National Theatre, the Barbican, Centre Point and the Met Police. CPT commissioned their show ‘Merryville’ and supported ‘Drill’ their show challenging myths about UK Drill music and its links to youth violence which won the Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award in 2022 and later went on to be staged at the Barbican.
Having appointed a new Artistic Director in 2024, CPT is entering an exciting new era. Rio Matchett says “It’s a privilege to inherit such a legacy and reputation for artistic risk and support. Despite the challenges facing our sector – particularly new writing and fringe theatre – CPT is committed to continuing support, adapting to a changing landscape, and removing barriers to opportunity. Artist development is the lifeblood of theatre; the voices, stories and audiences of tomorrow depend on it.”
As it celebrates 30 years, CPT remains steadfast in its mission to connect, support, and entertain. It continues to champion inclusivity, equity, and extraordinary performance, laying the foundation for the next 30 years of bold, groundbreaking theatre and community-building.
