
Southwark Playhouse Borough, one of two vibrant venues, is a cornerstone of London's fringe theatre scene, renowned for its intimate atmosphere and commitment to new writing and emerging talent. Housed within a converted railway arch, it offers a raw, adaptable space that fosters experimental and engaging productions. Since its inception in 1993, the Playhouse has cultivated a reputation for innovative revivals and a dynamic, community-focused theatrical experience.
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Seating
- The LargeSolid sightlines from most seats; arrive early to bag your preferred spot in this flexible space.
- The LittleThe most intimate experience; virtually no bad seats and you're always close to the action.
The Large
The main performance space, The Large typically seats up to 200 people in a highly flexible, unreserved setup. You'll often find raked bleacher-style seating, which generally ensures good sightlines over the heads of those in front, even from the rear rows.
Legroom is usually adequate with these individual bleacher seats, though it can vary slightly depending on the production's specific configuration. Views of the stage are generally excellent, reflecting the industrial aesthetic of the space, so don't expect traditional 'boxes' or 'circles'.
Restricted views are rare, but could potentially occur from extreme side positions, depending on the set design and stage layout. Arrive early to secure your preferred spot within the unreserved system.
The Little
This intimate studio space accommodates up to 100 audience members, offering an exceptionally close-up experience. Like The Large, seating is unreserved and highly adaptable, often arranged in flexible bleacher, cabaret, or even floor-level configurations, bringing you very close to the performance.
All seats here provide an intimate and immersive experience. Legroom is generally comfortable, and thanks to the proximity, views are almost always unobstructed and direct, no matter where you sit.
The space's flexibility allows for diverse staging, sometimes with the audience on multiple sides of the performance area. With virtually no restricted views, it's ideal for truly close-up theatrical experiences.
Early arrival is recommended for optimal seat selection.
Staying nearby
The nearest hotels to the Southwark Playhouse Borough, for anyone travelling in for a show rather than heading home after it.
- St Christopher's Village, London Bridgeabout 10 min walk
- citizenM London Banksideabout 15 min walk
- Native Banksideabout 15 min walk
Hotels.com affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Prices and availability are shown on their site.
Facilities
Toilets
Accessible toilets are on the ground level.
Box office is closed on Sundays.
Location
77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD
Getting there
nearest first
- 2–3 min
Borough
Northern
Step-by-step walking directions
The Southwark Playhouse Borough is located a short walk from Borough Tube Station (Northern Line). Exit the station and head south-east on Borough High Street towards Newington Causeway. Turn left onto Newington Causeway, and the theatre will be on your left. It is approximately a 2-3 minute walk from the station.



