Announcing a new chapter for SCRUM Theatre
Posted: 2 March 2026
SCRUM Theatre announces that it will become a Resident Company at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, marking an exciting new phase in the charity’s development.
Now: Image credit: Dave Snell, the SCRUM Company in performance Since early 2024, SCRUM Theatre has been based at 191 Talgarth Road, transforming the near-derelict former council archives building into a vibrant creative hub. Over 300 local volunteers came together to return the building to public use, which in just two years has offered an artistic home for over 3300 creatives, and provided free and pay-what-you-can training to over 630 hundred early-career theatre makers. The building has housed a vast theatrical community, including West End shows, emerging theatre companies, refugee creatives, local young people, puppet makers, set and costume designers, art installations, major bands, drama students, short films, and much more.
As the charity prepares to leave Talgarth Road in March amid continuing conversations for a new SCRUM Studios site, it reflects with pride on the transformation of the space and the creative community it supported.
“This move marks an exciting and strategic step forward for SCRUM Theatre. We are proud of what we built at Talgarth Road: a thriving creative hub supporting artists every single day. Becoming a Resident Company at Riverside Studios allows us to build on that momentum within one of London’s most richly textured cultural venues.”
— Wofai J.E., SCRUM Theatre's Executive Director
Image credits: Dave Snell, Will Dawkins' mural of Sarah Bernhardt; Jack Daly, the SCRUM Company perform in 191's Warehouse spaceThe new residency at Riverside Studios will enable SCRUM Theatre to expand its artistic programme and outreach activities, including:
Shakespeare’s School Project - an evergreen GCSE resource pack equipping teachers with innovative tools to engage students with Shakespeare
Artistic Development Programme - workshops and masterclasses led by leading practitioners. Previous contributors have included Adrian Lester and internationally renowned directors.
The Fresh Ink project, empowering teenagers in the local community to explore playwriting for the first time through mentoring and summer schools.
“This next chapter allows us to deepen our focus on creating empowering spaces for theatre makers to create bold and rigorous work. Riverside Studios has spent half a century housing companies at the cutting edge of theatrical experimentation; we are excited to become part of that history and deepen the impact of our work.”
— Lucie Dawkins, SCRUM Theatre's Artistic Director
Image credit: Jack Daly. Adrian Lester, cutting the ribbon at our Launch Party, Sept 2024“SCRUM Theatre wears its huge heart on its sleeve. It aims high while making sure it never lets go of its founding principles. Theatre is for everyone. The more different the perspectives of those in the room, the better the work will be. SCRUM says, “How you make is just as important as What you make.” In my opinion. Every society needs a company like this. It is an honour, as their patron, to watch the company grow.”
— Olivier Award winner and Tony-nominated actor, Adrian Lester
Scrum Theatre looks forward to welcoming artists and audiences to Riverside Studios and continuing its mission to create ambitious, accessible and artist-led theatre.
Image credit: Sheila Burnett, SCRUM Company in performance in 191's Warehouse spacePerformers featured: (top photo, L to R) Humera Syed, Rebecca Banatvala, Nishad More, Claire Parry, Freddie MacBruce; Os Leanse, Dominic Applewhite; (middle-right photo, L to R); Dominic Applewhite, Humera Syed, Os Leanse; (bottom photo, L to R) Josh Goulding, Claire ParryHave you got questions about our Residency or the move? Head over to the FAQs page for this announcement.