New Diorama Theatre

The New Diorama Theatre is a small eighty-seat venue near Regent’s Park in Camden. It opened in 2010 inside the Regents Place development as part of a planning agreement. The theatre was designed to serve local workers and residents. Its artistic director until August 2024 was Bec Martin, who left after creative differences. Before her, playwright David Byrne held the same role. The theatre has won several awards for its work. It received two Peter Brook awards in its first two years. In 2022 it was named Fringe Theatre of the Year, and in 2023 it won the Critics’ Circle Venue Award. David Byrne also received the 2014 Offi prize for Best Artistic Director. Recent productions include a 2021 play by Ryan Calais Cameron and a 2019 adaptation by SpitLip. Visitors find an intimate space with a focus on new writing and bold performances. The programme often features plays by emerging writers alongside established names. The theatre’s compact size creates a close connection between actors and audience. Its location near Regent’s Park makes it easy to combine a show with a walk. The building itself is part of a modern development yet keeps a human scale.