A "new cultural hub for families" has opened in Hampstead with the Well Walk Theatre set to stage magical puppet and conjuring shows from next month.
The family owned independent venue has completely restored and transformed the former Well Walk Pottery into a 50-seat "Victorian time capsule" with puppet theatre, cafe and bookshop - but no Wi-Fi.
Dylan McNeil who is co-Artistic Director along with his wife Zina Drouche, said: "The very soft opening" of the cafe and bookshop this month has gone well. The place is already bustling with visitors."
The team are now preparing for the theatre's official opening on September 7 and say the Willow Road venue will be dedicated to high quality children's production and will enrich Hampstead's cultural landscape.
Exciting plans include puppet shows, traditional magic acts, mime, and silent films accompanied by live music.
The theatre's design pays homage to the Robert-Houdin Theatre in Paris, where Georges Méliès, the celebrated pioneer filmmaker, began his career as a magician.
Dylan, who lives a stone's throw from the venue, says the Well Walk Theatre is "a true Victorian time capsule in modern-day Hampstead" which offers a "live experience away from screens".
"We are thrilled to open our doors to the community and families from all around," he added.
"Our goal is to create a space where locals can reconnect and bond. We encourage children to draw, engage, and play with physical toys - our shop
carries no plastic, only traditional wooden toys. This is the anti-high street, anti-homogenized experience: an independent, family-run business where creativity is encouraged.
"People are surprised when we tell them there’s no Wi-Fi, but then they thank us."
Dylan adds: “Hampstead has always been a cultural hub, and we hope to contribute to its artistic legacy with our unique programming and commitment to quality. Our shows, like the books we sell, are windows to other universes. We want to embolden children by showing them something different.
"We’re building a tradition, an identity so strong that you don’t need to check the show’s credits or storyline - you’ll know what to expect: a certain style, a commitment to quality, and a journey into a distinct universe.”
The opening season features exciting productions including Out of the Hat (Ages 7+) a “mini-musical” comedy, magic and variety show by Norvil & Josephine that turns the classic notion of a Vaudeville magic act on its head.
Petit Pierre from Paris for ages 3+ is a family-friendly glove puppet show in the playful and irreverent tradition of Punch & Judy that children will want to watch again and again.
And Silent Movies with Live Music presents masterpieces from the silent era with Hugo Max’s fabulous live improvised scores.
Meanwhile Séances (Ages 12+) offers spooky séances for grown-ups, just in time for Halloween, in a perfectly appropriate Victorian setting.
There will also be workshops, readings, and community events, alongside an outreach programme that will engage local schools and community groups, and offer educational opportunities for all.
For those who want to enjoy a snack, the charming Victorian-style café and bar serves teas, coffees, and handmade crêpes, while the bookshop offers a unique
selection of quirky children’s books, appealing to both the young and the young at heart.
Tickets for the inaugural season are now available online at www.thewellwalktheatre.com or visit the box office at 49 Willow Road Hampstead, NW3 or call 020 3951 1465.
Early booking is recommended due to the venue's intimate size.
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