Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone

The Cockpit is a fringe theatre in Marylebone, London. Designed by Edward Mendelsohn and built in 1969–70 as the Gateforth Youth Arts Centre, it is London’s first purpose-built theatre in the round since the Great Fire of London. Owned by the City of Westminster College, the building now serves as a training venue for performing arts and technical theatre skills. The auditorium has retractable seating banks on all four sides, each holding 60 people, with removable cushions and backrests. The stage measures 6.6m by 8.6m in thrust setting and can be reconfigured for different performance styles. Trapdoors span the stage width, and a manually winched lift beneath allows for stage effects or storage. The Cockpit has a strong history of supporting new writers and emerging artists. Between 1993 and 1995, the Soho Theatre Company rented the space and premiered works by over 35 new writers. The theatre also hosted the National Youth Jazz Orchestra’s Saturday rehearsals for many years and ran Theatre in Education programmes for young people. Since 2011, it has operated as one of London’s larger fringe venues, continuing its commitment to young and emerging talent. The name ‘Cockpit’ reflects its in-the-round design, inspired by 17th-century theatres used for both performances and cockfighting. Visitors find a flexible performance space with a high auditorium and adaptable seating arrangements. The lighting gantries, installed when the theatre opened, remain operational and provide safe access for rigging lanterns or scenery. The foyer features a roundel motif, linking to the theatre’s name and design. Regular events include ‘Jazz In The Round’, a monthly showcase of jazz and contemporary music, and ‘Theatre In The Pound’, an award-winning scratch night. The Cockpit also hosts wrestling events, including Mythos Ragnarok, a Nordic mythology-themed wrestling show. Under the direction of Dave Wybrow for over 25 years, the theatre remains a vital hub for experimental and youth-focused performances.