The Hen and Chickens Theatre Bar, Canonbury

The Hen and Chickens Theatre Bar sits above a pub in Highbury, in the London Borough of Islington. It began in 1986 when Tony Heywood turned the upstairs function room into a theatre. He had worked as Associate Director at theatres in Kingston and Notting Hill. At first it was called The Corner Theatre because it faced Highbury Corner station. The first show was a musical called Barnstormers, written by Mich Binns and directed by Heywood. Fifty-four raked seats came from the old Palace Pier Theatre in Brighton. The theatre changed hands in 1999 when actress Felicity Wren took over management. It remains one of London’s smaller fringe venues, known for an intimate atmosphere. Performances range from theatre to comedy, often staged in the same room where the seats were installed. The pub below still serves as the entrance and foyer. The name comes from the old pub sign showing a hen with her chicks. Visitors climb stairs from the pub to reach the theatre. Inside they find a single room with 54 seats arranged in rows that slope gently upwards. The walls are plain, keeping the focus on the stage at the far end. The space feels close and friendly, with no grand foyers or balconies. The pub’s bar stays open before and after shows, offering drinks and snacks. Audiences sit near the actors, making every performance feel immediate.