Unicorn Theatre

The Unicorn Theatre is a children’s theatre on Tooley Street in the London Borough of Southwark. It stands in a modern building designed by Keith Williams, completed in 2005 and awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects. The theatre contains two performance spaces, an education studio, rehearsal rooms, a café and a meeting room named after John Lyon. It began as a touring company in 1949 under Caryl Jenner, who later moved performances to the Arts Theatre in the West End. The company became a registered charity and is supported by Arts Council England. Juliet Stevenson has been its president since 2007. Its value lies in decades of work for young audiences and the artists who shaped it. Caryl Jenner founded the Mobile Theatre in 1949 to bring shows to towns and villages across Britain. Nicholas Barter led the company during the 1980s, followed by Tony Graham from 1997 to 2011. Purni Morell became artistic director in 2011 and Justin Audibert took over in 2018. The current director, Rachel Bagshaw, joined in 2023. The theatre’s archive is held at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Visitors find a bright, purpose-built theatre with two stages: the Weston and Clore Theatres. The education studio hosts workshops for schools and community groups. Rehearsal spaces support new productions and touring shows. The café offers a place to wait or meet after performances. The John Lyon meeting room provides a quiet space for discussions. The building sits close to London Bridge station, making it easy to reach. Inside, the focus remains on plays and activities for children and families.