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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
SPID stands for Social Progressive Interconnected Diverse. We are a registered charity and an award-winning youth theatre specializing in art that advocates housing justice
Since 2005 we have been based in the Grade II* listed historic Kensal House estate in Ladbroke Grove, West London and recently completed a £4m refurbishment of our space and scale up of our free drama and heritage programs. Our address is Kensal House, Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5BQ.
We work with young people, community members and those experiencing housing injustice to make high quality community theatre on council estates. We challenge the stereotypes around council estates and celebrate their history. We advocate for investment in housing access and safety. We create award winning productions such as dramatized tours, interactive exhibitions and promenade performances using theatre, film and history.
Kensal House is a landmark of modern architecture designed by Maxwell Fry and Elizabeth Denby in 1937. It was a pioneer in social housing, designed to provide "light, air, and health" to the working class. SPID is proud to have worked with residents to ensure the landlord we share with Grenfell brings the whole estate up to standard.
While the estate is a private residential area, we often hold heritage tours and open days as part of our programming. Check our [What’s On] page for upcoming heritage events.
Visiting & Accessibility
The nearest tube station is Ladbroke Grove (Hammersmith & City and Circle lines), which is about a 7-minute walk away. Several buses stop nearby, including the 23, 52, 70, 228, 295, and 452.
We don’t have an on-site parking lot. The nearest car park is at Sainsbury’s on Canal Way, about a 4-minute walk from the venue.
We are located in a Grade II* listed building. Currently, we are working hard to improve accessibility as part of our refurbishment project. Please contact us in advance of your visit so we can provide specific access information and assist you.
Venue Hire & Facilities
Yes. Please get in touch via the booking request form HERE.
Our venue is suitable for a wide range of events, activities and celebrations, including performances, workshops, meetings, birthdays, weddings, catering events, nursery activities, fitness classes. All hire requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the event and availability of our space.
You can find technical specifications at the bottom of our hire-us webpage HERE.
The Main hall hire includes:
- Use of chairs and tables (up to 100 chairs)
- Staff support for opening/closing and general oversight
- Use of Kitchen for Serving (NOT COOKING)
- Access to toilets and foyer area
For an additional fee, we can also provide use of:
- Kitchen (FOR COOKING)
- PA system (SET-UP)
- Projector (SET-UP)
- Tech support
The auditorium opens approximately 10 minutes before the performance begins. While we do not have an indoor café or designated resting or dining space at the moment, audiences are welcome to wait and mingle outside the auditorium before the show. As this is a semi-open environment, we kindly advise audience members who may be unwell or need a seated rest to avoid arriving too far in advance.
Yes, cash is accepted. You can also buy SPID caps, T-shirts, and scripts on our online shop HERE.
Performances & Shows
Tickets can be booked via our website. Please visit our What’s On page for current performances and events: https://spidtheatre.com/whats-on/
Tickets are generally non-refundable and non-exchangeable, except in cases where a performance is cancelled or rescheduled. However, we understand that circumstances can change, and in some instances, we may be able to offer flexibility.
Concessions or discounted tickets may be available for selected performances. Please check the individual event listing for details, or contact us if you have any questions.
Yes. For group bookings, please email us at booking@spidtheatre.com with details of your group and the performance you are interested in.
Our venue has step-free access, with a lift connecting street level to the auditorium, and wheelchair spaces are available. If you have other access requirements or would like to discuss your visit in advance, please contact us by email at booking@spidtheatre.com. We are committed to working with audiences to understand their needs and will make every reasonable effort to support your visit.
Running times are usually listed in the production description on the event page. If you have any questions, our ushers will be happy to help on the day.
Information about themes and content can be found in the production description.
If you have specific concerns or questions, you are very welcome to contact us at booking@spidtheatre.com for further information.
Getting Involved
You can get involved by volunteering or facilitating workshops. You can also send your child to take part in our free workshops and after school clubs. Please see the information below
Volunteer: Email eeshita@spidtheatre.com
Facilitator: Email eeshita@spidtheatre.com Please attach your CV
Free workshop online registration form Estate Endz (13- 25) HERE
After school club online registration form Far Far Away (8- 13) HERE
Yes. Please see the above section for more information on where and how.
Our core youth programs are generally designed for young people aged 13 to 25. However, we occasionally run workshops for younger children and intergenerational projects for all ages.
No! We welcome all levels of experience. Whether you are an aspiring professional or have never stepped on a stage before, our workshops are designed to be inclusive and supportive.
Most of our youth programs and community workshops are completely free to attend. We are committed to ensuring that financial barriers never prevent young people from accessing the arts.
As a charity, we rely on donations and grants. You can support us by [donating online], volunteering your time, or partnering with us on community projects.