The Riverside Studios Story

Riverside Studios is built on extraordinary foundations.

We stand on the former site of a Victorian ironworks which, in 1933, was converted into a film studio with two sound stages. Many classic films were made here, such as The Seventh Veil (1945) with James Mason, The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) with Margaret Rutherford and Father Brown (1950) with Alec Guinness.

In 1954, the studios were taken over by BBC Television and became home to many of the Corporations most iconic programmes, including Hancock’s Half Hour (1957-60), Quatermass and the Pit (1958-1959) and Doctor Who (1964-1968).

Following the BBC’s departure in 1974, the building became an arts centre in 1976, launching with a vibrant community festival. Riverside Studios quickly gained a reputation for excellence and innovation with landmark productions of The Cherry Orchard with Judy Parfitt (1978), The Changeling with Brian Cox and Measure for Measure with Helen Mirren (both 1979).

Our mixed programme of international theatre, dance, visual art, comedy and music was established early on and has succeeded in bringing the world to west London. The variety of our collaborators over the years – including Benjamin Zephaniah, Amy Winehouse, Samuel Beckett, Yoko Ono, Michael Clark, Leigh Bowery, The Wooster Group, David Hockney, Graeae, David Bowie and the Black Theatre Cooperative – reflects Riverside’s purpose as a melting pot for creative artists.

The original Riverside Studios closed for redevelopment in 2014 and our new building opened on the same site in 2019. 

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary as an arts centre, we remain proud of our achievements and excited for the future of Riverside Studios.

Programming Highlights

1970s

As You Like It with Alun Armstrong. Directed by Peter Gill (1976)

The Dead Class presented by Tadeusz Kantor and Cricot 2 Theatre (1976)

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists directed by William Gaskill (1978)

The Cherry Orchard with Julie Covington, Judy Parfitt and Caroline Langrishe (1978)

St. Mark’s Gospel devised, directed and performed by Alec McCowen (1978)

Measure for Measure with Helen Mirren (1979)

1980s

Mama Dragon by the Black Theatre Cooperative (1980)

Parade visual art exhibition by David Hockney (1981)

Rush by Michael Clark (1982)

Set & Reset by Trisha Brown (1983)

A Moon for the Misbegotten with Frances De La Tour (1983)

The Biko Inquest with Albert Finney (1984)

Playing the Right Tune by Benjamin Zephaniah (1985)

Twelfth Night with Richard Briers and Frances Barber. Directed by Kenneth Branagh (1988)

Lenny Henry (1988)

1990s

In Facing visual art exhibition by Yoko Ono (1990)

Hamlet with Alan Rickman and Geraldine McEwan (1992)

Twyla Tharp (1994)

The Seven Streams of the River Ota directed by Robert Lepage (1994)

Antony and Cleopatra with Venessa Redgrave and David Harewood (1994)

Peter Sellers is Dead with Sanjeev Bhaskar, Nina Wadia, Meera Syal, and Kulvinder Ghir (1995)

Jump to Cow Heaven with Martin Freeman (1997)

Mnemonic by Simon McBurney, Théâtre De Complicité (1999)

2000s

Phèdre with Sheila Gish. Directed by Deborah Warner (2002)

Scaramouche Jones with Pete Postlethwaite (2002)

Reality live concert by David Bowie (2003)

Othello presented by Cheek by Jowl (2004)

The Exonerated with Stockard Channing, Aidan Quinn, Danny Glover and Alanis Morisette (2006)

Bill Bailey: Tinselworm (2007)

The New Electric Ballroom by Enda Walsh (2009)

2010s

Julian Clary (2010)

Troilus and Cressida presented by The Wooster Group and The Royal Shakespeare Company (2010)

Dr Marigold and Mr Chops with Simon Callow (2010)

Salad Days presented by tête-à-tête (2010-11 and 2012-13)

A Round-Heeled Woman with Sharon Gless (2011. Prior to West End transfer)

The Importance of Being Earnest (Musical adaptation) with Gyles Brandreth (2011)

Mies Julie by Yael Farber (2013)

2020s

Happy Days by Samuel Beckett with Lisa Dwan. Directed by Sir Trevor Nunn (2021)

Great Expectations with Suzy Eddie Izzard (2022)

Saving Grace (Musical adaptation) with Craig Ferguson. Music by KT Tunstall (2022)

Operation Mincemeat (2022. Prior to West End transfer)

Flowers for Mrs Harris with Jenna Russell (2023)

Ulster American with Woody Harrelson and Andy Serkis (2023-2024)

Second Best with Asa Butterfield (2025)

Interview with Robert Sean Leonard (2025)