Stratford East is an engine for bold storytelling and trailblazing talent that speaks to now. Rooted in East London, we create unforgettable experiences that challenge, inspire, and open doors for everyone. We are driven by a spirit of reinvention — expanding what theatre can be, who it’s for, and how it’s made. From fresh takes on classics to urgent new voices, we bring stories to life that reflect and shape the world around us.
In 2025, Lisa Spirling and Hanna Streeter will join Stratford East as Artistic Director and Executive Director. With their combined experience in running Theatre503 and The Orange Tree, their tenure will usher in a new chapter of creativity. As we celebrate 140 years, we look ahead — to the artists and audiences who will define what’s next.
Stratford East sits in the heart of East London, in the London Borough of Newham, a borough that along with just four others in London was identified by ACE in 2022 as one of their Priority Places for increased investment and improved engagement. It has one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse populations in London and is an area which has undergone massive regeneration and change over the last 15 years. Newham is an exciting place to be in 2025, with the opening of East Bank as a cultural hub comprising BBC Music Studios, London College of Fashion, Sadler’s Wells East, UCL and V&A East, alongside huge investment and development across the borough, bringing more people to the area.
“The Coolest Theatre in London” – The Times
“Good theatre draws the energies out of the place where it is and gives it back”– Joan Littlewood
