While most pubs these days have big screens and music blaring, The Lamb on Lamb’s Conduit Street in Bloomsbury is an exception preferring conversation, good beer, good food and theatre.  This summer, the pub which has been serving an eclectic mix of patrons since the 18^th century will be helping to bring outdoor theatre back to Bloomsbury by supporting The Principal Theatre Company’s production of Twelfth Night, which is being performed in nearby Coram’s Fields.

 

Built in the 1720’s, just 104 years after Shakespeare’s death, The Lamb still has the look and feel of a traditional English pub...  Without TV, music and fruit machines, landlord Suzanne Simpson instead strives to provide an environment that takes you back in time to how an English hostelry used to be.

 

Suzanne says, “Televisions are non-existent here.  The one time they were installed, they only lasted a couple of days as the regulars wouldn’t have them ruining their conversations.  The only sounds you will hear are the cheerful ones of patrons just finishing work, enjoying a pint and catching up on conversations with their fellow drinkers.”

 

With priority given to providing well kept beers, home-made traditional English fare and with the staff showing the friendliness that encapsulates British hospitality, the Lamb is the perfect place to wine and dine before heading across the road for a night at the out-door theatre. 

 

With its authentic English look from the outside, the interior still includes the infamous snob screens which were used to separate the classes and to give its diverse mix of patrons the privacy they required.  The pub has long since been a hang out for politicians, actors and high flyers and it lists former MP Jenny Lee, former MP Nye Bevin, Denis Thatcher, actor Peter O’Toole and the legendary Oliver Reed as its famous past drinkers.

 

Before the 2^nd World War, the upstairs of the pub was used by the Holborn Empire Theatre as a practice area so it is gratifying that after a long break, a new link has been established between The Lamb and the performing arts.

 

Suzanne said, “As the pub has been frequented in its history by a host of actors and people involved in and with a love for the arts, we feel by supporting The Principal Theatre Company we are giving something back to the theatre, our patrons and the area.  As part of the support we have advertised in their brochure which gives theatre companies like these the financial support which is vital to them.”

 

The Principal Theatre Company was set up seven years ago by professional actors Sarah Knight and Paul Gladwin.  This year’s show will involve 18 professional actors along with several students and children from schools from the London area.

 

After great success performing ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’ at Coram’s Field last year, The Principal Theatre Company from Enfield were booked again to perform at one of London’s most beautiful stages for outdoor theatre.  Crowds of over a thousand watched last summer’s three performances and strong links were forged with The Lamb as the local refreshment provider and the perfect post-play venue in which to discuss the night’s performance.  Due to last year’s success and thanks to some excellent reviews from ‘Time Out’ and ‘What’s On’ The Principal Theatre Company is hoping for audiences of three thousand.

 

Sarah Knight, co-founder of The Principal Theatre Company said, 

 

“This year we are performing Twelfth Night but it is set in 1944 in the back drop of the 2^nd World War.  We are very happy with the preparations so far and we are all looking forward to performing again at such a lovely venue.  Coram’s Fields is central, it’s a beautiful area and by performing in different venues across London, it means we can raise the awareness of our company.  It also seems a fitting venue as our company spends a huge amount of time working with the community and running acting workshops in schools for children.” 

 

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night will be performed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for three weeks between the 2^nd – 18^th of August with tickets on sale online at www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk or from the box office on 0208 807 6680.  The performances start at 7.45pm and end at 10pm.   

 

Adult - £15

Concession - £11

Family - £40

Group of 10 - £100