The Lost Library of Spitalfields Market

“Superbly written, skillfully directed and exquisitely performed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️” – Everything Theatre

“An absorbing and intruiging fantasy [with] balletic direction. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️” – West End Best Friend

“I loved it with all my heart. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️” – Audience Review

“There are stories in everything. If only you know where to look.”

It’s Christmas Eve, and Isla is lost. Wandering through the halls and alleys of Spitalfields market, she is searching for something – a gift for her mother, after a tumultuous year past. But nothing seems to be quite right. Until, that is, she finds the shop. Or, to be more precise, the library. Or, to be more precise still, the Lost Library of Spitalfields Market.

But this isn’t like any library you’ve seen before. Sure, it’s full of stories – as most libraries are. But here, the stories aren’t found in pages or on tape. The stories come from things. Lost things, discarded things. Things that were once treasured by a Londoner, now lying forgotten. Or almost forgotten.

Step in to The Lost Library of Spitalfields Market with Isla, and join her on a whirlwind journey as she explores all the stories that London has to offer, and learns how, in this City, connection can be found in the most unlikely of places. A show for people of all ages, you’ll experience a truly unique Christmas show about family, loss, magic, and the stories that bind us all together.

The Venue

For Christmas 2023, The Greenhouse Theatre took over a disused shop at the heart of Spitalfields Market, and completely transformed it into a junk-shop, a repository, or, as some know it, The Lost Library of Spitalfields Market. Audiences were invited in to the library to experience a truly unique Christmas – but there are plenty of other ways to experience the library too. We offered daily social events – from Christmas Carol Sing-Alongs to a Festive Pub-Quiz – as well as our zero-waste bar, serving a standard selection, plus mulled wine and cider. The project proved so successful, we added in 4 extra shows, and received over 50, 5-star reviews from audience members.

Information

Address: 8 Market Street, Spitalfields Market, E1 6DT

Preview Dates: Weds 29th November and Thurs 30th November

Performance Dates: Fri 1st December to Sun 24th December (closed Tuesdays)

Preview Times: Weekdays at 17:30 and 20:30, Weekends at 14:30 and 19:30

Price: £15/£10

PLEASE NOTE – THIS SHOW IS SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AGED 7+, BUT IT IS NOT A CHILDREN’S SHOW.

Ronay Poole – Isla Greenwood

Favourite Market: Herne Hill Sunday Market (London)

Favourite Story: Peter Pan (by J.M Barrie)

Ronay Poole is a scholarship graduate from The Guildford School of Acting (2016-2019). She is appearing in the role of Isla Greenwood in The Greenhouse Theatres Lost Library of Spitalfields Market.

Ronay has recently appeared in the BBC’s Inside Number 9, ITV2’s Tell Me Everything, BBC’s Motherland and the feature film The Laureate. In 2023, she appeared in The Father at The Lyric Hammersmith, I Couldn’t Do Your Job at the Pleasance Islington and Black or White Coffee at The Union Theatre. She is a voice over artist, most recently working for the United Nations voicing UNCTAD’s e-learning program for Trade, Gender and Development.

Eoin Lynch – Maximilian Crimp

Favourite Market: Mother Redcaps (Dublin)
Favourite Story: Fog Island (by Tomi Ungerer)

This is Eoin’s first production with Greenhouse Theatre and is delighted to be playing the role of Maximillian Crimp.

Theatre work includes – The Playboy of the Western World, Riders to the Sea, Deidre of the Sorrows, The Tinkers Wedding, Well of the Saints (Druid), ChamberMade, Lochra (CoisCeim), Orfeo ed Euridice (Opera Ireland). Luca, The Parable of the Plums (Barabbas),California Suite (OnBook Theatre), Diamond (Avalon/BBC Arts).

Television work includes- Scary Tales of New York (HBO), Silent Witness, Poldark, Ripper Street (BBC), Single Handed, The Clinic, Fair City ( RTE).

Film work includes- The Shamrock Spitfire, Sou’ Paw, The Boxer, God Grant Me, The Girl with the Mechanical Maiden, O, Aftermath, No Messages.