To create a world-class performing arts space on a historic ship in the old docks of Canary Wharf
Built in 1913 when London’s docks were filled with similar ships. It’s now one of the last ones left here. Restored and lovingly converted into a public arts centre the ship has a new lease of life. The cargo hold now holds a 100-seater theatre, a characterful bar, and an exhibition space.
It’s a unique space, in a really special part of London, and we really hope our programming reflects some of that. The docks have always introduced new things to London, and we’re keen to continue that history with events that highlight new and interesting voices, and bring new audiences to more established artists.
There's a special alchemy in ports - where people and ideas come from all over the world and mix - it's part of what makes East London so special and our project hopes to mirror that. We aim for an events programme where people and ideas can continue to mix. We want to provide a space for the interdisciplinary, the underepresented, and the experimental, and a shared social space for people to meet and connect.
In celebrating the rich history of this area we try to look forwards: whether that's through new recompositions of ancient folk tunes, contemporary performances paired with classic films, or through loving repairs to keep the ship alive for another hundred years. Most of all we hope to create a space that feels welcoming - and we can't wait to welcome you onboard!
Heritage: We want to celebrate the rich history of the area by opening a public arts centre onboard a living piece of its history.
Diversity: We are committed to developing an arts programme whose range and quality reflect the brilliant diversity of this location and its inhabitants.
Environment: We aim to enhance Canary Wharf’s environment, ecologically and socially, and to serve as a beacon of sustainability.
Community: We hope to enhance the social, cultural and artistic life of the area, by creating a public arts venue which benefits local workers and residents and attracts visitors from across London. We want to remain welcoming and friendly, with a focus on providing shared social space.
Accessibility: This project is committed to accessibility: broadening access to the arts through programming choices and the warmth of our team, removing financial barriers with our no-questions asked discounted tickets policy, and aiming to make our space as physically accessible as we can.
It's no secret that Inigo loves boats. He also loves making and fixing things - ranging from old ship engines, to immersive events, to new language models.
For over ten years Inigo’s work has focussed on the restoration and repair of historic steel ships. He has overseen the full restoration of seven ships, including two on the National Historic Ships register. Consistently delivering marine restoration projects on time and under budget, Inigo is passionately committed to restoring the heritage of our waterways. Inigo is a member of the Council of Experts for National Historic Ships UK, and sits on the London Advisory Board for the Canal and River Trust.
Inigo also works as a creative producer in immersive event production - for the past three years he's been Theatrical Ground Crew Director for Boomtown Festival - the world's largest immersive theatre event.
Additionally, Inigo works as an AI Developer and data-scientist - specialising in natural language analysis. Most recently as lead-developer and a founding director at strategy consultancy R-ai. R-ai takes seriously the idea of listening - talking to every employee in large organisations to help democratise strategic decision making. R-ai has developed an impressive reputation for transforming the effectiveness of large organisations across sectors and across the world - including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Unilever, B-Lab Global and US-AID. They’ve been attributed with catalysing ‘a turnaround to double digit growth’ at Danone Waters by Thomas Kunz (then Global Head) and ‘growth in turnover from $150 million to $1 billion in 3 years’ at Kraft China by Lorna Davies (then CEO).
At Theatreship, Inigo is excited to be bringing these strands of his professional interests together - physically restoring a historic cargo ship, leading on the programming to open the ship up as a public space for innovative events, and grounding the project in active listening to build a project that truly responds to the needs of the people around it. If you see him onboard come say hi!
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When Nat was writing her diary at 5 years old, every page started with 'Today I watched Television'. 40 years later
she's a multi-BAFTA winning TV director & producer. Over her 25 year career she's produced some of the most significant shows in Britain, including the Apprentice, 24 hours in A&E, Great British Menu, Stacey Dooley investigates, & Fantastical Food with Heston Blumenthal.
Nat was Creative Director at Rogo films/AJH Media - producers of 'Unprecedented' a ground-breaking documentary with exclusive access to the Trump family, and Grierson shortlisted Bad Boy Chiller Crew.
Most recently she developed and executive produced Netflix documentary series 'The Man with 1000 Kids' exploring the unregulated world of rogue sperm donation. Released last year to critical acclaim the series became Netflix's most viewed show in 95 countries.
Nat brings years of experience in film and TV to her role as head of film programming at Theatreship.
At Theatreship Nat's been critical in developing partnerships with BFI - delivering four BFI funded film festivals to date. She leads the film curation onboard, while managing to be an indispensable part of everything else that happens here too! Expect to see her at our weekly Free Mystery Cinema events where she'll be introducing cinematic gems and sharing what she loves about these films.
Built in 1913, the ship was one of the sailing cargo barges that once filled London's docks. Transporting bulk dry cargoes like grain and coal from europe right into the heart of London.
Once a common sight in London's docks, the rise of containerisation in the 1960s moved shipping out of central London and lead to the eventual dereliction of the old docks.
With a riveted steel hull, and classic sweeping lines, the ship speaks to a different age of shipping.
As shipping evolved, so did the ship. With life-extending modifications to her hull and superstructure, she spent over 110 years in continuous service, trading bulk dry cargo around the port cities of Northern Europe.
Now, returning to West India Dock and converted to a performing arts theatre, she continues to serve the needs of the Docklands communities, as she always has.
The ship has become a new public space, reflecting the rich history of the docks, while looking forwards to a future of live events and lively community.
The ship features a spacious exhibition space on the upper deck, a characterful community café bar on the lower deck, and a 110 seat theatre & cinema space in the old cargo hold. We can't wait to invite you onboard.
The Ship is moored on the Millwall Cutting, London. This is a convenient location, just 30 second walk from the South Quay DLR and a 5 minutes walk from Canary Wharf Jubilee line.
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We are moored on the new Arts and Heritage Berth, alongside other ships of public or historic interest, including Artship and Tugboat Addie, one of only two surviving British Waterways steam tugs.
The Theatreship project is built on skilled and motivated people coming together and learning from each other. So naturally, skill-sharing is at the heart of what we do. We believe strongly that there should be no barrier to learning new skills, and that no existing skill set or ability prevents you from learning new, unfamiliar ones.
This is why we are always looking for volunteers to get involved with us. Maybe you have particular skills you think could contribute, such as in theatre, production, construction or boat maintenance? Maybe you just want to learn something completely new? We’d love to hear from you!
If you fancy getting involved, then simply click below to sign up and we’ll get back to you.
