Riverside Studios has officially announced the first wave of special events to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Since opening in 1976, the West London venue has served as a vital hub for innovation across theatre, dance, television, and comedy. This milestone season looks back at that rich heritage by welcoming home several iconic figures who helped shape the venue's identity.
The celebrations begin on March 15th with the incomparable Dame Helen Mirren. Returning to the stage where she starred in Measure for Measure in 1979, the Oscar winner will join director Simon Curtis for an intimate fundraising conversation about her legendary career. Following this, on April 14th, Sir Lenny Henry will take the spotlight. Interviewed by Gyles Brandreth, Sir Lenny will reflect on a career that saw him perform sold-out stand-up sets at Riverside in 1988 while launching Comic Relief.
Comedy fans have another reason to celebrate on April 26th with a rare reunion of the Goodness Gracious Me cast. Nina Wadia, Sanjeev Bhaskar, and Kulvinder Ghir will join producer Jon Plowman to discuss the show’s journey from its 1995 stage debut at Riverside to becoming a revolutionary television phenomenon. On June 28th, Gyles Brandreth returns for a personal trip up "Memory Lane," sharing backstage tales and exploring the quirks of the human mind alongside podcast producer Harriet Jaine.
Beyond the stage, the venue will host Pull Focus (March 17th – May 3rd), a curated exhibition celebrating 40 years of the Riverside Artists Group. The showcase features artworks and films from 33 members, tracing the history of the collective formed at the studios in 1986.
Season curator Daniel Thurman noted that this diverse lineup reflects Riverside’s legacy as an "incubator for the arts." With a Gala Auction and further performances to be announced, the 50th-anniversary season reaffirms Riverside’s commitment to new voices. General ticket sales begin at 10 am on Tuesday, February 24th, via the official website.
