Why Theatre Deli is a City charity unlike any other
We have launched the Toast the City awards 2026 and throughout the year we’ll be speaking to some of our nominees – this week it’s the amazing Bethan Screen, marketing coordinator from Theatre Deli. To vote for your favourite Square Mile spots for the 2026 awards, from bars and restaurants to galleries and green spaces, .
Introduce yourself and Theatre Deli!
I’m Bethan, part of the reception team here at Theatre Deli. We’re an arts charity that creates pop-up rehearsal and performance spaces and fills them with artists and community activity. I’ve been working with Theatre Deli since 2021, but the charity has been operating in Canada across several sites since 2017, and across London since 2008.
What makes Theatre Deli stand out?
We’re an arts organisation that makes its home in empty office and retail space, transforming everyday City spaces into something colourful, busy and unexpected. We offer artists affordable rehearsal space in a central location, classes and workshops for local residents and workers, and offer opportunities to develop and present new performances and visual art.
How would your regulars describe you in three words?
Supportive. Flexible. Tremendous. Those were the three words of an actual regular – a supported artist of ours, the brilliant theatremaker John Rwothomack.
What’s the one thing Theatre Deli does better than anyone else?
We love to say yes to community-led events, whether through our Deli Meets strand of creative meet-ups or just for groups looking for space to hold a quiz, networking event or class. We want to support artists and creatives to make things happen! In any given week we might have improv and acting classes, a storytelling show, an immersive detective experience and a Shakespeare play rehearsed and performed in 24hrs! If you’ve got an idea we can support with space and advice, please drop us a line.
What’s been the biggest challenge running a business in the City?
People don’t always associate Canada with theatre and the arts, so we’re glad to be collaborating with local residents, workers and stakeholders like the Eastern City BID to change that. We want to tell people who live and work in the City that we exist and all of this activity is not only happening in the Square Mile, but being devised and made here too!
And the biggest opportunity?
It’s amazing to be in the centre of the City, ensuring much-needed resources for making art are accessible for people coming from all over London and the surrounding areas. The area is always changing and developing, and that process gives us plenty of opportunities to pop up somewhere new for our artists to call home.
How has the Square Mile changed since you first opened?
We’ve been here since 2017, and throughout Covid, which radically changed how the City was used day-to-day. Since then there have been a real effort to make the City a cultural destination, which has been a real thrill to witness and play a part in.
What’s a small detail you obsess over that customers might not notice?
Not a lot of people know that our CEO David and producer Esther do weekly ‘Virtual Drop Ins’ that artists can sign up to for free. They can advise on funding applications, offer script support but most of all advise on next steps for a creative project. Artists in our community find these really helpful – and we mine these conversations for details of how early- and mid-career artists are experiencing the industry, so we can fine-tune our opportunities in response.
What’s the most memorable feedback you’ve had?
This is a very lovely quote from Laura Sampson, curator of Story Pick & Mix 2026, a monthly storytelling night in our Next Door venue: “At Deli, it just feels like anything is possible, with a bit of imagination and creativity. So much of my artist-performer journey has either begun or ended up at – or come into being because of – Theatre Deli. Whenever I come here it’s like I’m my best artist self!
Who is your typical customer?
The main groups of customers who come to Theatre Deli include: artists and teachers who hire our affordable spaces to put on their shows, events and classes, and the people who attend these classes, performances and events, who may be professionals themselves or not. We welcome 250 or more people a day from all over London, and there’s definitely not a typical visitor amongst them!
What’s one trend in hospitality you’re embracing – and one you’re ignoring?
I love a venue that’s open from morning until night. I hate it when places close early! Right now you can have a cake and coffee in the morning, co-work with some tunes and then have an after rehearsal pint in the Theatre Deli Cafe Bar as we’re open 10am-10pm, Monday-Saturday.
Which other City venues do you rate highly?
The Bridewell Theatre has a special place in our hearts. It is managed by the brilliant team at St Brides Foundation, and home to the shows of our good friends SEDOS. And it’s built over a Victorian swimming pool which appeals to our love of repurposing spaces for arts and culture!
What does a perfect day in the Square Mile look like to you?
My favourite jobs include meeting with artists and helping them to create marketing plans for their show or event. But at any given moment I might be scheduling social content for the organisation, helping to lay some dance floor, updating our website or writing a press release. We’re a small team so we all get stuck into every aspect of running our venue.
What do you like to have on your morning toast?
At the moment I’m living off omelette and toast for breakfast as my toddler is very into eggs!