Ten years ago something terrible happened to Presley and Haley. Since then they've lived alone in their dead parents’ house, doors bolted against the terrors of the world. But, one night, Presley sees a beautiful stranger on the street outside. And while his sister sleeps… he invites in their worst nightmare.
Darkly comic and deeply unsettling, Philip Ridley’s seminal masterpiece single-handedly changed the course of British drama. Its exploration of ‘a climate of fear’, living in ‘alternate worlds’, and persistent thrum of sexual anxiety has continued to act as a tuning fork for the zeitgeist. It is a play whose relevance is forever in the now.
Lidless Theatre has a long-standing collaboration with Philip Ridley and is now set to return with a landmark production—his first-ever play, The Pitchfork Disney. One of Ridley’s most celebrated and influential works, this production marks a major moment in their partnership.
Fresh from two sell-out, ★★★★★ runs at Park Theatre, including Leaves of Glass, which broke Park90’s box office records, Lidless Theatre continues to champion Ridley’s groundbreaking storytelling on stage.
📍 Venue Description:
The King’s Head Theatre stands on a plot of land that has been used as a public house since 1543, though for most of its history it has been known as the King’s Head Tavern (the name itself coming from an old story about Henry VIII supposedly stopping for a pint on his way to see his mistress). The current building dates back to the 1800s.
Dan Crawford took over The King's Head in 1970, and founded the King’s Head Theatre in a room that had been used as a boxing ring and pool hall, establishing the first pub theatre in London since Shakespeare’s day. Under his leadership the pub became well-known for ringing up pounds, shillings and pence until 2008, a full thirty-seven years after the rest of the UK had switched to decimal currency. Five years on, the old till still sits behind the bar. The pub is packed full of other period details, including gas lights, the original bar, old photography, and coal fires that burn continuously throughout the winter.
Crawford led The King's Head for thirty-five years, establishing it as a breeding ground for new talent and great work. The walls of the pub display the multitude of famous faces that began their career here. In 2010, Olivier Award-winning UpClose Productions became The King's Head Theatre’s resident company, and Adam Spreadbury-Maher was appointed the venue’s second Artistic Director, working alongside Robin Norton-Hale who leads the company’s opera programme. UpClose Productions produce at least eight shows a year, and curate the work of visiting companies all year round. The venue’s reputation for nurturing new talent continues, with pioneering Trainee Director scheme (winner of the Royal Anniversary Trust Award in 1992) still being run by UpClose Productions. Recent graduates have gone on to work at the National Theatre, RSC, Lyric Hammersmith and the Globe, plus many other internationally-renowned companies.
✨ Discover the extraordinary at The Pitchfork Disney, where magic meets reality in ways you've never imagined! 🏛️ Set in King's Head Theatre nestled in bustling London, EN, this event promises to be a landmark occasion. 📅 Taking place on August 27th, 2025 at 03:00 PM, it's going to create an atmosphere where every moment becomes a cherished memory. 🌟 Immerse yourself in an experience crafted with attention to every detail, designed to surprise and delight at every turn. They have worked tirelessly to ensure this event exceeds all expectations, bringing together elements of entertainment, innovation, and pure joy. ✨ With tickets available at 13.00 GBP, your journey awaits. 🎊 Don't miss your chance to be part of this remarkable journey!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
King's Head Theatre, 115 Upper St, Islington, , King's Head Theatre, London, United Kingdom
