The Cockpit

Ich war im Cockpit, um mir die letzte Vorführung von «Faustaff» anzusehen. Auch wenn das Stück leider ein ziemlicher Reinfall war, ist mir das Theater an sich doch sehr positiv in Erinnerung geblieben. Zwar liegt es eher etwas außerhalb, aber dafür ist die Gegend mit zahlreichen orientalischen Restaurants ziemlich interessant.
The Cockpit selbst ist recht klein, aber gerade deswegen so schön intim! Durch die Boxring-​artige Bühne kann man wunderbar nah am Geschehen sein und die Schauspieler aus nächster Nähe betrachten. Einzig die Bänke dürften gerne ein bisschen gemütlicher sein.

There are two things that seem to set the Cockpit Theatre apart to me — firstly, they run an event called ‘Theatre in the Pound’ once a month, enabling emerging playwrights a chance to really try out a work in progress on the cheap to an attentive, receptive audience who’ve only paid a pound for 2 – 3 hours worth of entertainment! Secondly, it is such a great place to socialise or network, as everyone is friendly, from the Stage Manager to the Actors, well-​supplied by some reasonably priced wine and a crowded but vibrant Lobby during intermissions. My commendations also to them having gone with a friend in a wheelchair who was well taken care of.

The Cockpit Theatre is one of those theatres you may not hear about unless you’re an actor, know an actor, or are thinking about becoming an actor (or thinking about knowing an actor.)
This small theatre in Paddington is a staging ground for classes and upcoming work. Actors learn, train and then put on a show. I had a friend who knew someone in a show, so I saw a collection of Shakespeare pieces all tied together in a loose plot of people in a mad house.
The theatre is small but nice. Bar area up front, stage in the back (which is actually a black box theatre with stadium seating and the stage on level ground looking down to it.) Sound was good even without microphones and the chairs, although just long cushioned benches, were actually rather comfortable. It was crazy hot in the theatre though and I can only imagine what it would be like on a really hot London day.
Still, an enjoyable performance and some serious talent in the audience. Whatever they’re doing to train, it’s going well.

Have no negative on this space I think. Found it easy enough. Doesn’t look much from the outside, but get in there and the theatre is great. Quite big, narrow corridors backstage and amenities were available to use. Postive.

I use train as an actor and had the pleasure of training in the Cockpit Theatre. It was a perfect place to train as you could get use to the feeling of the Auditorium.
Today, there are still plenty of performances being held at this famous London fringe theatre. It is robotic with its seating as it has often changed to accommodate what type of play it is. It is also one of the few theatres that can actually re-​arrange the seating to surround the stage.
There are great performances here, and tickets are cheap. It is just off Edgware Road so in a good location to get a bite to eat afterwards.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that in the foyer, there is a full bar, and it is quite cheap.