MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY
53 Southwark Street
London SE1 1RU
The Menier Chocolate Factory was built in 1870 to house a chocolate factory in Southwark Street. It became derelict in the 1980s until it was converted in 2004 to a rehearsal room and 150 seater Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre. It has retained the original exposed wooden beams, cast iron columns and exposed brick interior.
It is run by David Babani who is the artistic director. In 2005 he received the Peter Brook/Empty Space Up and Coming Venue Award and in the same year, he and Danielle Tarento jointly won the Milton Shulman Evening Standard Award for Outstanding Newcomer.
Southwark's off-West End theatre has a number of high-profile transfers, including the musicals “Cage Aux Folles”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, "Sweet Charity" starring Tamzin Outhwaite and most recently Trevor Nunn's revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Aspects of Love".
There are not a lot of places to get something to eat and drink in Southwark Street, but the Menier offers some very good meal-deal tickets in its lively bar and restaurant which serves lunch, evening drinks or pre or post theatre dinner.
HOW TO GET TO MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY
 |
Tube: London Bridge (Borough High Street exit) - Jubilee & Northern Lines |
 |
RV1 and 381 |
 |
Parking on single yellow lines available after 18:30 and all day at weekends |
DISABLED ACCESS TO MENIER
 |
Customers with visual or hearing impairments qualify for concession rates for themselves plus a companion. There is no infra red or loop system, but the size of the venue means you can sit only a few feet away from performers |
 |
Guide dogs are permitted inside the auditorium |
 |
Wheelchair access into the building is via our main entrance on Southwark Street. The theatre can take one wheelchair per performance, located at the front of the auditorium with an excellent view of the stage. There will always be at least one space available next to the wheelchair space for a companion. |