Branagh... not just an Actor - a Theatre

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company was founded by Rick Parfitt and Kenneth Branagh after working together in 1986. Fellow writers, actors and friends helped them to finance their first season.

Wanting to engage with his audience to ensure that they felt part of the experience, Branagh went off in search of the perfect theatre. One that had a big enough stage to capture the bigger scenes but laid out that people could see the expression on the actors faces. The venue also had to seat a large group of people.

In 2008, Branagh was last in the West End, and wanted to return. He didn’t just want one-hit wonders though. Preferring to make a difference and stay in one place for a while. Looking for a home-base to be creative and structured in his delivery of quality shows.

Wanting to be the first choice for entertainment, Branagh took the risk and in 2015, unveiled the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. He would manage the Branagh Theatre Company and serve as actor as and when required to do so. London theaters would never be the same again.

Branagh announced that there would be six fabulous shows scheduled during October 2015 through to November 2016. Actors like Judy Dench, Lily James, Rob Brydon and Richard Madden agreed to be part of the shows planned. To name a few, The Painkiller, Romeo &Juliet, The Entertainer and The Winters Tail.

The Painkiller which was directed by Sean Foley and staring Kenneth Branagh, Rob Brydon, Mark Hadfield, Claudie Blakley, Marcus Fraser, Alex Macqueen.

Romeo & Juliet which was directed by Kenneth Branagh and staring Richard Madden, Freddie Fox, Lily James, Derek Jacobi, Meera Syal, Marisa Berenson, Jack Colgrave Hirst, Matthew Hawksley, Taylor James, Ansu Kabia, Zoe Rainey, Michael Rouse, Kathryn Wilder, Tom Hanson, Racheal Ofori, Nikki Patel, Chris Porter, Samuel Valentine.

The Entertainer which was directed by Rob Ashford and staring Kenneth Branagh, Gawn Grainger, Phil Dunster, Jonah Hauer-King, Sophie McShera, Greta Scacchi, Crispin Letts.

The Winters Tale which was directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh and staring Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Pierre Atri, Jaygann Ayeh, Tom Bateman, Jessie Buckley, Vera Chok, Jack Colgrave Hirst, John Dagleish, Hadley Fraser, Adam Garcia, Rudi Goodman, Matthew Hawksley, Taylor James, Pip Jordan, Ansu Kabia, Stuart Neal, Michael Pennington, Zoё Rainey, Miranda Raison, Michael Rouse, John Shrapnel, Kathryn Wilder, Jimmy Yuill.

In 2016, the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company were nominated for the “What’s On Stage” award. Also in 2016, Kenneth Branagh received the Lebedev Award for his shows at The Garrick.

At the end of November 2016, the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s residency at The Garrick, came to an end. They now utilise theatre's in the West End for all Branagh productions.

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company at times work in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). This is to raise funds for a RADA project aimed at providing on-site accommodation and refurbishing the academy’s building on Chenies Street.

Other directors and designers work in conjunction with Branagh to deliver exception shows, along with an amazing group of actors.

In 2017, the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company engaged with Tom Hiddelston for the production of Hamlet. This took place during September at the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre in London.