Old Red Lion Theatre Pub — Restaurant in London

Paul Hegarty sees ..........

I am of Ireland

A play to inform, entertain and provoke it’s audience.

McMac productions present this stirring play on Ireland, continuing the summer run of fascinating plays at The Old Red Lion.

This play is compelling and the story captured the zeitgeist of recent history in Northern Ireland. Given the limited production values the director Ken McClymont takes a panoply of characters, a range of short snappy scenes, emotionally challenging moments plus swathes of historical detail and wraps them up into an absorbing, informative and entertaining play. There may be other famous plays around about Ireland this year but this powerful drama is not overshadowed – it stands tall along side the Irish diaspora.

I am Of Ireland is an ambitious, broad sweeping review of Ireland. It explores the complexity of the Celtic identity, as it recounts the experiences of men who grow from youthful ignorance to older cynical individuals who still can’t or won’t escape from ‘Ireland’s Call’; ‘we will fight, until we can fight no more.’ It is a consuming affair. The company play a range of parts in order to accommodate a wide range of action and time shifts but it is to the credit of writer, Seamus Finnegan that we are so wholly drawn into this drama with its mixture of fact and fiction, as we hang on to episodic moments that slowly build, peak late and only provide some resolution at the end. There was an excellent performance from the experienced Shenagh Govan who was strong of voice, nuanced in delivery and emotionally compelling at times. She anchored the play with a range of well-defined yet surprising characters and along with Euan MacNaughton, who, with his smiling Irish eyes, debonair delivery and a lilt to make a linnet sing, was a lynchpin in this flitting, fast-moving drama.

Finnegan’s broad range of characters sweep us along through sectarianism, racism, sexism, justice and of course class discrimination, ultimately bringing characters and the audience to a place of realisation, where there is more to bind than divide. He takes us from the 60s up to the present day with a range of contrasting scenes (out-of-order, rather like Ireland herself) that twist and turn with denials and betrayals on all sides. It offers us a glimpse of a complex world where terrorists become politicians and victims become empowered as reparation is sought along side confession. In this country of contradictions a black priest, Patrick Flanagan (Jerome Ngonadi) from Montserrat has been attacked for his colour by local thugs and he sensitively explains how his Irish name came from the slave trade where slaves took on the name of their landowners – this time Irish land owners.! Angus Castle-Doughty delivers nicely detailed contrasting performances as Barry and Derek and he is well supported by the endearing Saria Steele, very engaging as a symbol of new hope in Ireland but raging in the background are the old voices of church and terror and Richard Fish powerfully captures their contrasting positions that drown out modernity.

The play is exhilarating. It is well worth a visit to see such a talented company handle with care this narrative of Ireland and as they breathe life in to it they explore how Ireland will possess you and...

🚇 Angel 🍺 £6.50 Moretti

An Historic Oldschool Theatre Pub.

The Old Red Lion is located at the northern end of Clerkenwell close to Sadler’s Well Theatre. The nearest Tube is Angel, it’s a two minute walk to get here.

This pub was founded in 1415 which makes this one of the oldest surviving established pubs in London. The original pub appears in the painting "Evening" by 17th century born painter William Hogarth. The building you see today dates from 1899

The Old Red Lion Theatre is located upstairs, it opened its doors in 1979 and is still going strong today. This pub is also home to the Capital Canaries the official London fan club for Norwich City.

This is a traditionally decorated one bar pub that is red by name and red by nature. There is a characterful oldschool feel to the place with a couple of original features surviving. The servery stretches down the right hand side and has a 1930’s back bar. At the front right is a Victorian etched glass glazed screen which divides the main bar with what would have been the old Saloon Bar. The seating is long banquettes, little red stools plus a couple of comfy chesterfields at the far end by the projector screen. One of the most interesting facets of this pub is the historic timeline of the pub which is on the left hand wall, this definitely worth a read as part of a visit here. To cement this pub’s ‘proper pub’ credentials, there is a patterned red carpet running throughout.

The beer selection is good and includes cask and craft beers from local brewers @hammertonbrew , there are also popular mainstream brands too. I decided on a Moretti, my pint hit the spot, price point a little above average. The pub doesn’t have a food menu at present.

I visited a couple of times last year, my last visit was back in October. We arrived just after 12pm so we could have a good look around the pub before it got busy. We met with Guv’nor Damien who was telling us all about the history of the pub and the challenges he faces in running an old theatre pub in London. He also kindly gave me a copy of a book called ‘The Red Lioness’ which is about a woman who visited 650 pubs in 4 years, a kindred spirit.

Visiting The Old Red Lion was an enjoyable experience, who doesn’t love an oldschool boozer. The beer selection was good, there’s lots of history and there’s a passionate Guv’nor at the helm. This pub is well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

ℹ️ Info correct on...

A Mesmerising and Touching Performance at the Old Red Lion Theatre Pub

I recently had the pleasure of attending the theatre production 'Hole' at the Old Red Lion Theatre Pub, and it was an experience that will stay with me for a long time. Written by Hannah Morrish, directed by the talented duo David Fairs and Conor O'Kane, and performed by the exceptional Matsume Kai, this play tackled the difficult subject of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) with remarkable sensitivity and brilliance.

Matsume Kai's solo performance was nothing short of spectacular. She brought depth and authenticity to the character, making the audience feel every ounce of pain, confusion, and hope. The story of 'Hole' is touching, delving into the protagonist's journey with BED, a condition that is often misunderstood and stigmatized. The direction was masterful, blending elements of fantasy and reality seamlessly, reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland meets Pan’s Labyrinth with a Lynchian twist. The narrative was both haunting and enlightening, making it a truly immersive experience.

The Old Red Lion Theatre Pub, a 600-year-old gem in the heart of Angel, provided a cozy and intimate setting for the play. The pub itself, while showing its age in places, exudes charm and warmth. The outside area is an ok spot to enjoy a drink before the show, and the theatre upstairs offers a comfortable and engaging space for performances.

This venue is one of London's oldest and most beloved, and it's easy to see why. The combination of a historic pub atmosphere with cutting-edge theatre makes for a unique cultural outing. The theatre's commitment to showcasing ambitious and challenging work is evident, and 'Hole' is a prime example of this ethos.

If you're looking for a theatre experience that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving, I highly recommend 'Hole' at the Old Red Lion Theatre Pub. Matsume Kai's performance alone is worth the visit, but the overall production is a testament to the power of theatre to address and illuminate complex issues with grace and creativity....