Drum Theatre

The Drum Theatre stands in Plymouth beside the Theatre Royal. It is a small playhouse with two hundred seats, built to stage new writing. The space won the Peter Brook Empty Space Award in 2007 for its adventurous programme. It regularly works with subsidised companies across the country. Collaborations include the Royal Court, ATC, Lyric Hammersmith and Bush Theatre. Other partners are Frantic Assembly, Hampstead Theatre, Paines Plough, Traverse Theatre and Tron Glasgow. In 2007 it presented Flower Girls, a play performed by disabled women. The theatre is worth the journey for its focus on fresh plays and bold choices. Its award shows how it fills gaps left by larger venues. The network of partner companies brings work to Plymouth that might otherwise stay in London. Each season mixes emerging writers with established names. The theatre also nurtures local talent through workshops and readings. Its reputation has grown since the Empty Space Award brought wider notice. Visitors find a compact auditorium with an intimate atmosphere. The stage is framed by brick walls and warm lighting. The programme changes every few weeks, so there is always something new. The foyer displays posters of past productions and touring companies. After the show, audiences can meet the artists in the downstairs bar. The building sits close to the city’s historic Barbican quarter, making it easy to combine theatre with a meal or a walk by the water.