If you’re a writer, producer or director in London, scouring the city for a space to host an R&D, workshops, auditions, read through or kick off your rehearsals, then look no further.

Here are my Top 5 London spaces, which offer up their studios or rehearsal rooms for a small fee – or if you’re in luck – for free!

1.) The Seven Dials Playhouse (Covent Garden)

When PlayFight got transferred to The Seven Dials, were lucky enough to use their studio room for our rehearsals. We were part of the team after all! But during our rehearsals there, another company was hosting an R&D next door. The Seven Dials Playhouse offers rehearsal space for a small fee, by the hour, so you can create your work, right in the heart of London!

2.) The Calder Bookshop (Southwark)

This was my very first audition room! Back when I had my first play, we hosted auditions here. Right down the road from Southwark tube station, this small bookshop has a rehearsal room in the very back! They charge about £20 for the hour, but you’ll have a large basement room, equipped with tables, chairs and even a piano! If you’re not workshopping or rehearsing a musical, you’ll certainly have lots of fun and games during your lunch breaks!

3.) The Southwark Playhouse (Southwark)

We had our Face to Face R&D here! Again, just a short walk from Southwark and Borough tube stations, The Southwark Playhouse boasts a spacious rehearsal room, available for hire from Monday – Friday, 10am -6pm. The room has plenty of natural light, so you won’t have to squint over your scripts! The room also has a basic sound system, wireless, blackout curtains, chairs, tables, laminate flooring, a tea station, central heating for those winter sessions – or – air conditioning for those long summer days before the fringe festivals!

4.) Theatre Deli (Moorgate)

This space holds so many fun memories of rehearsals, auditions, readings and meetings. At minimum costs, you can hold your creative events in a spacious room with lots of daylight, fully equipped with chairs and tables. The Theatre Deli bar is also downstairs so you can treat yourself to a cheeky drink after a long session!

5.) The Lyric Hammersmith (Hammersmith)

By far one of my favourite rehearsal spaces! Literally across the road from Hammersmith tube station, this rehearsal room was so large, it felt like a ballroom! Definitely a space to look into, if you’re hosting a big R&D or rehearsing a play with a massive cast.