Council Considering Walpole Park Theatre Proposal
1,200 seat temporary venue would be in place for three years
Visualisation released by the council of the proposed venue
September 2, 2026
Ealing Council will next week consider plans for a major new cultural venture that could bring West End-scale theatre productions to the borough for the first time.
The proposal, going before the council’s cabinet on Wednesday 9 September, sets out a partnership with Troubadour Theatres to build and operate a 1,200-seat temporary theatre in Walpole Park for three years, replacing the long-running Ealing Summer Festivals venue that has occupied the same area of the park in previous seasons.
Troubadour, which already runs theatres in Canary Wharf and Wembley Park and has another planned for Greenwich, is known for staging large-scale productions in flexible, purpose-built venues. Its portfolio includes collaborations on shows such as Hunger Games, Starlight Express and War Horse. Under the proposal, the company would fund, build and manage the Ealing venue, installing a fully heated and air-conditioned temporary structure with a box office, foyer, bar and front-of-house facilities. At the end of the three-year lease, the building would be dismantled and the land restored to parkland.
The council sees the project as a chance to test whether Ealing can sustain a permanent theatre in the future, while delivering a significant cultural boost in the short term. Council leader Peter Mason said the plan reflects a commitment to bring “world class performing arts” to the borough and to support struggling high streets. He said a venue of this scale could draw visitors from across London, increasing footfall for businesses in Ealing Broadway and West Ealing and offering residents access to major productions at more affordable prices. He described the proposal as a potentially transformative opportunity for the borough’s cultural and economic life.
Councillor Mason emphasised that the scheme is temporary and designed to protect Walpole Park in the long term. If approved, construction could begin early in the new year, with the theatre opening by Easter 2027. The venue would host more than eight shows a week and serve all seven towns in the borough, with Troubadour’s industry connections expected to secure a diverse programme of high-profile productions.
Councillor Lauren Wall, cabinet member for thriving communities, said the proposal aligns with the council’s cultural manifesto, which aims to make high-quality cultural experiences more accessible. She said a theatre of this calibre could help establish Ealing as a cultural destination for west London and offer residents the chance to enjoy major productions closer to home.
If cabinet agrees to grant a lease in principle, residents and businesses will have several opportunities to comment. A formal consultation will be carried out on the proposed lease of part of Walpole Park, and the planning application will also be open for public feedback. Troubadour and the council plan to hold engagement events in the autumn to explain the proposals and gather views.
“We know residents will have questions as well as ideas,” Councillor Wall said. “That’s why I’d encourage everyone to get involved in the engagement events and consultation.”
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