Founded in 1970, The King's Head in Islington is the original pub theatre, and still the best. Opened up by visionary American landlord Dan Crawford, it rapidly prospered thanks to the incredible depth of writing and performance talent in the area.

Actors and artists who got their first break in this humble but atmospheric theatre include Steven Berkoff, Kenneth Branagh, Kathy Burke, Dawn French, John Hurt, Ben Kingsley, Joanna Lumley, Gary Oldman, Clive Owen, Nigel Planer, Alan Rickman, Tom Stoppard and Victoria Wood. On a lucky night you can catch a Hollywood megastar having a nostalgic pint at the cosy bar after watching a show.

The Kings Head is a beautiful little pub with a theatre space at the back. The staging is modest, the atmosphere intimate, and the discernment of the locals, unforgiving. When Dan died in 2005 tributes poured in from around the world.

Under the recent direction of Adam Spreadbury-Maher, the venue has been turned into London's Little Opera House where ambitious librettos get their first glimpse of daylight.

The theatre has kept his legacy alive with several breakthrough productions in the past few years including the Olivier Award-winning La Boheme.