SUMMER 2025
2025 SUMMER SEASON
Welcome to Summer 2025!
We kick off the season with Blood Wedding as Barney Norris’s dark comedy brings Lorca’s passionate Spanish classic blazing into England, 2025. WhatsOnStage and multi OffWestEnd Award nominated playwright David Shopland follows with his new play Cul-De-Sac as it makes its world premiere at Omnibus Theatre, presented by the acclaimed team behind the multi-5 star sell out Off Broadway hit Saving Britney.
Our annual 96 Festival returns, now in its 10th year with Queer artists from across the world coming together to share their stories, from Eastern European folklore and physical theatre to the island of Lesbos where The L Word meets Ancient Greece. Joseph Aldous brings us his vibrant and pulsating 5-star show Get Happy, a queer explosion of joy and identity. For the first time this year we’re introducing a 96 Festival edition of our Next Page Season - a yearly festival of rehearsed readings we usually hold in January, inviting Queer writers to share their work and receive crucial feedback to help the development of their writing.
In the spirit of festivals, Out of the Wings returns also celebrating their 10th anniversary, presenting readings of plays from five different countries, all in English translation, and in the UK for the first time.
July takes us into our Edinburgh Fringe Previews where we’ll be showcasing some of the most exciting artists and stories heading up to the fringe this year.
Alongside the season, our returning shows and events such as So This is What Happened, Lost the Plot and Fridaze will be keeping us entertained throughout the summer months, and, as always, our regular music events in the cafe bar and the Common Room will provide the soundtrack for our summer.
Thank you for supporting us we can’t wait to welcome you all through our doors.
Marie McCarthy Artistic Director
HOW TO BOOK
PRESENTED BY TWO’S COMPANY AND KARL SYDOW
BLOOD WEDDING
Tension runs high in a village on the edge of Salisbury Plain as the happy anticipation of a wedding suddenly turns ominous.
Beautiful Georgie, 22, is torn between funloving Rob and brooding Lee. The seeds of disaster are sown.
Inspired by Frederico Garcia Lorca’s play, Barney Norris brings Lorca’s Spanish classic bang up-to-date with the dreams and fears of any young couple today.
Tricia Thorns’s Two’s Company is best known for sparkling rediscoveries of forgotten classics – A Day by the Sea, Bodies, The Cutting of the Cloth at Southwark Playhouse, Don’t Destroy Me at the Arcola, London Wall at the Finborough.
Multi-award-winning Barney Norris’s other plays include Visitors and Eventide, (Arcola), Nightfall (Bridge Theatre) and Second Best (Riverside). He is also the author of novels, including Five Rivers Met On A Wooded Plain and Undercurrent.
30 APR – 24 MAY, 7:30 PM (TUES-SAT), 2:30PM (SAT), 4PM (SUN)
TICKETS:£20 STANDARD, £18 CONCESSION, £15 PREVIEW
TILLY FILMS In Association with
BARNEY NORRIS, AFTER LORCA
Written by
PRESENTED BY FAKE ESCAPE
CUL-DE-SAC
“It feels like things are getting faster, faster. Like culture, society, whatever is this roundabout in the middle of a park, and it’s spinning faster and faster and we’re all just trying to jump on at the right time. And if we miss the landing, that’s it. It’s over.”
Northwood Hills. Zone 6 London. The Middle of Nowhere.
Ruth is questioning every decision she’s ever made. Simon is grappling with a personality he can’t quite define. Marie is keeping a secret that could shatter everything. And Frank? Frank just wants his driveway back.
What starts as a quiet evening rapidly unravels, as polite smiles give way to sharp words, truths spill as freely as the booze, and when an unexpected guest arrives, the night explodes into chaos. It’s suburbia like you’ve never seen it before.
WhatsOnStage and multi OffWestEnd Award nominated playwright David Shopland dissects contemporary Britain with the precision of a scalpel and the unpredictability of a slammed door; peeling back the layers of Millennial civility with unflinching honesty. Tackling everything from cultural identity to the ever-increasing price of a London pint, Cul-de-Sac is a witty winesoaked post-mortem on the quiet desperation simmering behind net curtains.
Cul-de-Sac makes its world premiere at the Omnibus Theatre, presented by the acclaimed team behind the multi-5 star sell out Off Broadway hit Saving Britney.
TICKETS: £18 STANDARD, £16 CONCESSION, £10 PREVIEWS 27 MAY–14 JUN, 7.30PM (TUES - SAT) + 4PM (SUN)
DAVID SHOPLAND
Written by
96 Festival is back by popular demand! A glittering line-up of artists will set up camp at Omnibus Theatre for a spectacular celebration of queerness and theatre.
An extravaganza of theatre, comedy, cabaret, music, art and activism; now in its 10th year, 96 Festival has been conceived in remembrance and celebration of the iconic Pride party on Clapham Common in 1996.
PRESENTED BY OUT OF THE WINGS
OUT OF THE WINGS
Since 2016, the Out of the Wings (OOTW) Festival has been bringing the best of Iberian and Latin American playwriting to UK audiences.
From 15th-Century Mallorca to 21st-Century Chile, taking in Nicaraguan or Cuban classics; fierce, queer writing from Brazil or Panama; comedy from Portugal, and radio drama from Colombia, the OOTW Festival has celebrated the theatre of the Spanish- and Portuguesespeaking worlds in all its vibrancy, history, ambition, and depth. In 2025, join OOTW, back at Omnibus for a 6th time, for a party to mark a decade of bringing these works to the London stage.
The #OOTW2025 Festival will premiere English-language translations of five plays, from five different countries, over five nights. The play-readings are one element of OOTW’s six-day programme of theatre in translation.
This unmissable flagship event in the OOTW calendar begins with the OOTW Forum at King’s College London, then continues all week with practical workshops, our festival book-sale, and opportunities to meet the OOTW team informally in the Omnibus bar.
Discover with us the best of Ibero-American playwriting, in a celebration of international collaboration and theatre in translation.
Born out of a collaboration between its co-founders and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed Spanish Golden Age season, OOTW has been bringing English translations of theatre from the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds to the UK and beyond since 2008.
All plays at #OOTW2025 will be presented as staged readings.
SOUNDS & COLOURS
"A very special moment."
CANAL LONDRES TV "Fresh, exciting plays."
TICKETS: £12 STANDARD, £8 CONCESSION. £50 FESTIVAL PASS 15–19 JUL, 7.30PM
EDINBURGH PREVIEWS
Get one jump ahead of Edinburgh Festival Fringe this Summer at Omnibus Theatre.
A dynamic mix of emerging and established theatre-makers preview their work in Clapham before heading to the largest theatre festival in the world, giving Londoners the chance to experience the best of the Fringe before anyone else.
Supporting new work and adventurous artists is at the heart of what we do, which is why each year we provide a stage for creators to test out their work ahead of the Fringe. Join us for some unforgettable and affordable theatre.
Stay tuned to see what’s on this year.
20-31 JUL
You are invited to the premiere of the World’s Newest Musical!
Lost The Plot: An Improvised Musical is a brand new all-singing, all-dancing production every night. Warning: this show is entirely made up on the spot. Every line of dialogue, note on the piano and catchy chorus is fully improvised.
SO THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED LOST THE PLOT FRIDAZE
A monthly Cabaret style night featuring the best emerging musicians, comedians, drag performers and everything in between! Where every month unites creativity, community, and celebration.
Six people tell a true story.
So, This Is What Happened is back! Our popular storytelling night returns.
Connection is more important than ever, so we invite you to laugh, cry and celebrate stories from the lives of real people.
2
TICKETS: £10 STANDARD, £8 CONCESSION
ENGINE ROOM POETRY @ OMNIBUS
Join hosts Ella Dorman-Gajic and Iftikhar Latif for Off The Chest’s anticipated return to Omnibus this summer.
This explosive night of poetry will include feature performances from two acclaimed poets, plus their renowned open mic, which invites poets from all backgrounds to take to the mic. Announcements of feature poets happening soon – keep an eye on @offthe_chest for more.
Dynamic theatre makers present work for the very first time in front of a live audience.
Our regular scratch programme, where dynamic and talented theatre makers present daring, new work in the first stages of development.
Engine Room puts you, the audience, at the heart of the creative process. Following the sharing you will be asked to complete a feedback form, with your comments directly influencing the next development of the pieces. Give feedback, offer ideas and discover the next generation of theatre before anyone else.
TICKETS: £10 STANDARD, £8 CONCESSION 23 JUN, 7:30PM 24 JUL, 7:45PM
TICKETS: £6
Make friends and learn new skills as a member of Omnibus Theatre's Young Company. Through fun drama games and workshops, members are encouraged to grow in confidence, express creativity and build teamwork in a supportive space. For more information visit: www.omnibus-clapham.org/young-company/
CAFE BAR
GET INVOLVED
OMNI-WRIGHT JOIN THE TEAM
A writer’s group exploring the fundamentals of writing for theatre.
Led by our Literary Associate Sam, OmniWright is an 8-part playwriting course dedicated to exploring how the fundamental elements of playwriting. Writers examine plays, workshop ideas, and develop their own work with the chance to share to the rest of the group at the end of the course. Running on Tuesday evenings or Thursday mornings, Omni-Wright is a great chance to meet and work with other writers and leave inspired to wright a brilliant play!
This course runs seasonly. Keep an eye out on our socials/website for when submissions open.
ENGINE ROOM
Our regular scratch programme, where dynamic and talented theatre makers present daring new work.
Once a month, 3 companies come together to share their work in front of an audience who are invited to share their feedback and ideas on how the work can develop. As part of Engine Room, companies are also offered free rehearsal space, dramaturgy and tech support - it’s an R&D with an audience.
Engine Room is curated seasonly via a submission process. Keep an eye out on socials/website to see how to get involved.
As a registered charity with no guaranteed funding, we rely on our wonderful band of volunteers to help us. No experience needed –we'll give you training and support.
Join as one of our volunteer ushers and you’ll be helping ensure the theatre runs smoothly, assisting patrons, checking tickets, and keeping an eye out for Health & Safety issues...then, when the show starts, sit back and enjoy (for free)!
If you’re interested in finding out more about joining our volunteering team send an email to enquiries@omnibus-clapham.org.
WEDNESDAY CHATS
Meet the Artistic Director! We’re throwing open the digital doors for you to have an online chat with our Artistic Director, Marie McCarthy. Whether you want to discuss an idea, collaborate with us or pitch your show to be in our programme. Book a slot and we’d love to meet you!
Find out how to book a slot on our website on the ‘Get Involved’ page.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Omnibus Theatre is a registered charity but we do not recieve any regular funding. We rely on your donations to keep our ticket prices affordable, bolster emerging artistic talent and provide innovative programmes for young people in our local communities.
BECOME A MEMBER
Our members receive fantastic benefits including free tickets, parties and the latest Omnibus Theatre news for as little as £25 a year.
MAKE A DONATION
Donations are essential in helping us to stage excellent theatre and provide creative opportunities for the whole community.
JOIN THE 1889 CIRCLE
Help us raise capital investment to secure the future of Omnibus Theatre. 1889 Circle members gain exclusive access to special events with notable guests from stage and film.
To find out more visit omnibus-clapham.org/support-us or call 0207 622 4105
THANK YOU
We are incredibly grateful to all of our donors and members for their generous contributions to Omnibus Theatre, including the following individuals:
VISITOR INFORMATION
HOW TO FIND US TUBE
We are a 5 minute walk from Clapham Common underground station.
BUS
88, 137, 249, 417 buses stop directly outside Omnibus Theatre and many others close by at Clapham Common.
CAR
Limited on street parking available after 6.30pm. Before 6.30pm these spaces are pay and display. Visit our site for more access info.
ACCESSIBILITY
All performance spaces and facilities are fully wheelchairaccessible. Due to the variability of seating arrangements in our performance spaces, it is useful for us to know at the time of booking if a wheelchair space is required. However, it is possible that this can be arranged on arrival.
If you have access requirements, please arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the show and make yourself known to box office staff on arrival.
TICKET COLLECTION
We run a paperless box office system. You will be emailed a PDF ticket when you book in advance. Pick up your entry pass to the theatre from our box office on arrival.
VISIT OUR CAFE BAR
CONCESSIONS
Concessions apply to over-65s, children under 18 years, students in full time education, Equity & SDUK and individuals who work for the NHS. Concessions also apply to anyone that identifies as disabled, carers and access support workers and anyone who is in receipt of an income based benefit, or an unwaged dependant of someone who is claiming (proof of status may be required).
GROUP BOOKINGS
Some events carry a group offer of 10% off for groups of 6 or more people. Please check online, as details vary depending on the event, or phone us for more details.
Our brand new Café Bar is the perfect relaxed spot to unwind before or after a show, to hang out with friends, have meetings or to just sit and watch the world go by. By night a buzzing hive of audiences and artists enjoying pre or post show meals as well as the fully stocked bar of craft beers, wine and seasonal cocktails. Visit omnibus-clapham.org/ cafe-bar for seasonal menu's and opening hours.
www.omnibus-clapham.org
