Description:

The original Orange Tree Theatre was located in a small room above the Orange Tree pub in Richmond . It had six former church pews arranged around the performing area and could seat an audience of 80 people. With increasing audience numbers it had to move to the larger accomodation of a converted primary school accross the road from the original theatre.

The Orange Tree Theatre is London's only permanent theatre in the round. It is one of the most highly respected off-West-End venues, the unique space creates a powerful intimacy between audience and performer and provides a truly shared experience. The Orange Tree is entirely committed to this form of theatre and all the productions are always in the round.

It specialises in staging new plays and neglected classics. It operates an educational programme called Shakespeare for Schools and also runs a Trainee Director scheme Each year appointing two young assistant-directors, who direct and present a showcase production at the end of their term.

The auditorium seats 175 with two levels: the 'lower' with comfortable bench style seating which places you on a level with the action and the 'upper' with individual seats and just one row of seating around the perimeter of the space that allows you to view the action from above. There is no restriced viewing and no difference in pricing. All seating is unreserved.

There is a reasonably priced bar which opens 45 minutes before each performance serving a variety of drinks and bar snacks.

Look at the Orange Tree diary to find something you might enjoy.