Young Vic

The Young Vic is a globally renowned theatre in Southwark, an offshoot of the nearby Old Vic that was established as a place to challenge and inspire younger audiences, as well as let authors, actors and producers experiment with their art.

The theatre was launched by acclaimed theatre director Frank Dunlop in 1970, initially as part of the National Theatre under Laurence Olivier before becoming independent a few years later. Originally built as a temporary venue, Young Vic was renovated and expanded in the 2000s. The main auditorium with an open stage and a capacity of around 420 was complemented by two smaller studios that provide an even more intimate experience between the actors and the audience.

The Young Vic has put on a wide variety of plays since during its career, from new ones to innovative productions of classics, placing an emphasis on developing up-and-coming talent, especially artists from under-represented backgrounds. The theatre even runs a special programme for productions made for, with or by the local community. That said, numerous stars have performed here as well, including big names such as John Malkovich, Ian Charleson, Helen Mirren, Gillian Anderson and Michael Sheen.