The Space

The Space stands in Millwall on the Isle of Dogs, inside a former Presbyterian church built in 1859 for Scottish shipyard workers. The church was designed by Thomas Knightley and dedicated to St Paul. In 1989 the St Paul’s Arts Trust, led by Robert Richardson, took it over. After restoration it reopened in 1996 as an arts space. Today it is run by a registered charity whose patrons include Sir Ian McKellen and Marie McLaughlin. The theatre offers dance, drama and live music, often staging its own productions through the in-house company SpaceWorks. It also hosts visiting companies and artists from across the UK and beyond. New and emerging artists receive support, including those fresh from drama school. Past visitors have included Les Enfants Terribles, Nick Helm, Ian McKellen and Mitch Benn. The first in-house show was a double bill of Dogg’s Hamlet and The Real Inspector Hound. Above the theatre lies The Space Bar, a restaurant and bar owned by the same charity. The building functions as a community theatre, staffed mainly by volunteers. Its programme ranges from contemporary drama to experimental performances. The interior keeps the church’s original features alongside modern adaptations.