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Published: 28 May 2010
by JOSH LOEB

A RESPECTED pub theatre is gearing up to welcome a risqué “sibling” into its family.

The New Red Lion – a venue featuring burlesque, cabaret and comedy – will become the borough’s newest performing arts venue when it opens in the autumn.

The sister venue of the popular Old Red Lion in St John Street will be based in what is currently the Offside Bar in City Road.

The new venture is announced as three new artistic directors – Henry Filloux-Bennett, Stephen Makin and Kellie Spooner – prepare to take the reins at both the old and new venues at the end of this month.

While many theatres are feeling the pinch because of the recession, Mr Filloux-Bennett believes the Red Lion venues have a rock-solid financial base. “The Old Red Lion’s financing approach has been successful for years,” he said. “It’s never been publicly subsid­ised. What has made it a success is that it’s reasonable enough for a young artist to afford – and the New Red Lion will be even more reasonable.” 

He hopes the new venue will bring cabaret back to Islington. “If we can make it work, we think there’s a tremendous appetite,” he said.

The Offside Bar was started in 2004 by brothers Lorcan, who died last year, and Damien Devine, who took over the Old Red Lion in the same year. 

Damien said his brother’s death coincided with his decision to rethink the running of the business.

“Lorcan’s death was tragic and unexpected,” he said. “This is a family thing. Helen Devine, my niece [the outgoing artistic director of the Old Red Lion], has done some tremendous work at the venue. 

“Around the time Lorcan died, she decided she wanted to take a year off and go travelling. The licensed business has for the last few years been a bit tight so we thought it was time to refurbish and relaunch.” 

Mr Devine added that he hoped the New Red Lion would be “a unique addition to the cultural landscape in Islington”.