What's On

We choose to relish what others shy away from, show what others daren't; destroy boundaries when others would create rules. We explore the beauty of the text and skill of the actor to consider harsh, brutal themes with a modern examination of Theatre of the Absurd in classic and contemporary storytelling.

Our current productions

Orlando Descends

Research & Development

A split-stage, immersive opera updating Virginia Woolf's 'Orlando' through a contemporary lens, as well as a 3500 year old poem by a woman of colour called "The Descent of Inanna." With a new libretto by Nazli Tabatabai-Khatambakhsh, brought to life by 5 actor-musicians this poetic feast explores the interconnectedness between planes of “Difference” exposed through new ways of listening.

Click for more information

Julius Caesar

UK Tour

Strikingly Original

What is sparking dark omens and plots to overthrow the conquering hero? And what will be the result if he is brought down?

Join Icarus Theatre Collective as we inject fresh relevance into Shakespeare’s political thriller by setting it in the near future. We use digital screens and creative graphics to underscore the parallels between the schemers of Ancient Rome, the turmoil of Shakespeare’s England, and the power of fake news to destroy our world today.

Creative Captioning for all performances.

All in original verse.

Running time: 2h10m including 20min interval

With a generous grant from Arts Council England, we are integrating Creative Captioning as a complete design element, building on our success in The Lesson.

Click for more information

Past productions

2022

The Lesson

Southwark Playhouse Run and International Tour

A hysterical farce and riveting tragedy.

"50s Absurdism meets 90s in-yer-face apocalypticism."

A mild-mannered professor takes on a new pupil, and swiftly descends into tyranny, becoming bent on her destruction.

A blistering revival of Icarus’ award-winning dark comedy with a new Creative Captioning process supported by Arts Council England, for both hearing and deaf/HoH audiences.


A comically surreal expose about power, knowledge and those who hoard both.

Premiered at Southwark Playhouse

2016

The Trials of Galileo

International Tour

The Universe is a divine miracle Galileo, not a clockwork toy!

Emmy Award winning writer Nic Young re-joins Tim Hardy, faculty at RADA who has worked with The Royal Shakespeare Company, in the West End, and starred in major European tours.

2018

How to be a Bad Girl

Edinburgh Fringe

Queer daughter of Bulgarian immigrants brings the spirit of Burlesque to her cabaret act at the Free Fringe

New York's wittiest cabaret act - 'How to Be a Bad Girl' chronicles this former classical pianist's delightful descent into the world of smut, booze and burlesque.

2018

Macbeth

International Tour

Something wicked this way comes.

This slick production is perfect for audiences new to Macbeth and those already well acquainted with Shakespeare’s tragedies.

2016

At the Mountains of Madness

International tour

Desperate. Incensed. Exhausted. William Dyer returns from a cursed expedition to the Antarctic..

Icarus honours Lovecraft's seminal tale as his Dyer leads us through his discoveries in the Antarctic ice, we question his reliability, his sanity, and then at last even our own place in the order of things.

2017

Hamlet: Prince of Denmark

UK & Ireland Tour

Shakespeare for the Game of Thrones generation.

A company of seasoned classical actors embrace the brutality of the greatest play ever written. A gripping, ensemble style brings exhilaration and violence to the unforgettable music and delicacy of the words.

2014

Hedda Gabler

National Tour

These impulses come over me all of a sudden, and I just can’t resist them.

Icarus brings you one of the earliest challenges to modern patriarchy, a brazen precursor to feminism and gender equality. Recession and economic boom sit side by side in Hedda’s world, antiquated by patriarchal society and made vibrant by Hedda’s lust for life.

2013

Othello: Moor of Venice

Sep 2013 - May 2014

A tempestuous journey from scandal and intrigue to lust and vengeance.

Tackling subjects of racism, belonging, and deception, this is a classic take on a poignant tragedy that mercilessly explores every inch of the human condition.

2012

Romeo & Juliet - 2012

National Tour

Violent delights have violent ends...

Following on from the success of Macbeth, the highly acclaimed Icarus Theatre Collective presents a bold and exciting new production of Shakespeare’s most tragic tale – Romeo & Juliet.

2013

Spring Awakening

National Tour

We've all got our junk, and my junk is you.

A powerful production of this haunting classic play about the terrors of becoming an adult.

2011

Macbeth 2011 - 2012

International Tour

Something wicked this way comes...

This slick production is perfect for audiences new to Macbeth and those already well acquainted with Shakespeare’s tragedies.

2010

Hamlet

Autumn 2010 - Spring 2011

To be or not to be…

Do I murder the king now or wait for proof? Are women constant and worthy or flippant and unfaithful? Is life worth living? To be or not to be…

2010

The Madness of George III

National TOur

Mad Kings and Englishmen...

The year is 1786. George III is King. King of England. He has a loving wife; a nation of subjects, a loyal parliament, and the world kneels at his feet.And all is not as it seems.

2010

Journey's End

National Tour

A group of officers prepares for an imminent German attack in a classic story of war and humanity.

1918. The rat infested trenches of the Somme. A group of officers prepares for an imminent German attack in a classic story of war and humanity.

2010

Rip Her to Shreds

Old Red Lion Theatre

It’s 1981 and Mena Town isn’t ready for a seventeen year old transsexual.

Mena Town isn't ready for a seventeen year old cross dressing Debbie Harry, but D doesn't give a shit, he's going to be who he wants to be and no one's getting in his way.

2009

Othello

National Tour

A tempestuous journey from scandal and intrigue to lust and vengeance!

Tackling subjects of racism, belonging, and deception, this is a classic take on a poignant tragedy that mercilessly explores every inch of the human condition.

2009

Vincent in Brixton

12 March - 06 June 2009

Inspiration found in the most unusual corners.

Winner of the 2003 Olivier Award for best new play, this great show wrenches home the destructive qualities of both love and art and the sacrifices made by those who create it.

2008

The Time of Your Life

Finborough Theatre

First Revival since the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1983

First Revival of Pulitzer Prize winning American/Armenian play since the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1983

2008

Many Roads To Paradise

Finborough Theatre

Relationships are like going on a very long train journey.

Relationships are like going on a very long train journey. You have to keep on going till the end; you can't just jump out of the carriage when things get a bit bumpy..

2007

The Lesson 2007 & 2008

International Tour

A hysterical farce and riveting tragedy.

2006

Perhaps Merely Quiet

RADA Foyer Bar & South Hill Park Arts Centre

Female, 19, Bi-polar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode: Hypomanic.

'perhaps merely quiet' defines the betrayal, sacrifice, and helping hands women lend each other to walk a fine line of self within a web of mental illness.

2005

Albert's Boy

Finborough Theatre

A blackly humorous and achingly moving new play.

Winner of the Pearson Playwright Award, Pick of the week from ‘The Stage, Aleks Sierz Rogues and Vagabonds & Newsline

2004

Coyote Ugly

Finborough Theatre

An immensely compelling unrequited love story.

Critics choice by Time Out,Robert Shore. Play of the week by The Church of England Newsletter

2004

The Lesson 2004

White Bear and Etcetera Theatres

50s absurdism made over as '90s 'in-yer-face' apocalypticism

Our company's inaugural production, this was the first version of The Lesson which we later completely re-made and toured internationally.

All our facilitators are professional actors or directors with a background in teaching and workshop leading. Having performed many of the Shakespeare leading roles themselves they know the texts inside out and can help even the youngest of students understand and connect with the language and core themes of the plays.

Education

All Star Shakespeare

All-Star Shakespeare is a fun, interactive series of workshops where each class can rehearse and perform a scene from a Shakespeare play, culminating in a school-wide sharing.

Education

The Alba Method

A safe alternative to emotion memory & psychological techniques for releasing, maintaining, & controlling emotional states on stage as well as in other areas of your life.

The Lesson Workshops

The Lesson Workshops

Step into the world of ‘Anti-Theatre’ to learn how Ionesco, Becket, Pinter and their contemporaries shaped a new genre of performance. Or learn Stansislavski Technique: Actions, Objective, and Finding Truth. Can be adapted to suit abilities of GCSE, A Level, and Undergraduate students.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Your students will put on a shortened version of the play! Choose from 1, 2, or 3 full days of workshops. Professional actors & directors to help students achieve their grades or experience the joy of Shakespeare.

The Tempest

The Tempest

Your students will put on a shortened version of the play! Choose from 1, 2, or 3 full days of workshops. Professional actors & directors to help students achieve their grades or experience the joy of Shakespeare.

Hamlet

Hamlet

Your students will put on a shortened version of the play! Choose from 1, 2, or 3 full days of workshops. Professional actors & directors to help students achieve their grades or experience the joy of Shakespeare.

Macbeth

Macbeth

Your students will put on a shortened version of the play! Choose from 1, 2, or 3 full days of workshops. Professional actors & directors to help students achieve their grades or experience the joy of Shakespeare.

July 8, 2021

Creative Captioning

Creative Captioning offers opportunities to deaf and hard of hearing audiences to more fully immerse themselves in a performance. Captions can appear on stage by being integrated with a set design matching the style of the show and reflect characterisation and tone.