Free space. Open access. Room to grow. 

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Bold new ideas take time and space to develop, but we live in a city where space comes at a premium. At Theatre Deli, we champion the art of collaboration, which is why we're teaming up with New Diorama Theatre in search of long-term solutions to a chronic problem. 

In Autumn 2025, we launched The Allotment, offering free R&D and rehearsal space in Central London to independent artists, with no strings attached. Building on the legacy of NDT Broadgate, these spaces are offered through lottery selection, democratising access to a much-needed resource.

Our first season supported 17 brilliant companies to develop new work. 

In response to exceptional demand, a second season of The Allotment is running for an expanded 16 weeks until 1^st May 2026, supporting a further 21 companies. 

Applications are now closed.

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Eligibility

This opportunity is open to independent theatre companies, ensembles, or collectives developing or rehearsing new theatre and performance work this spring. If successful, we ask that you commit to using the space for the full period you are offered. In order to maximise the impact of this resource, NPOs and commercial entities are not eligible to apply. 

We are particularly interested in supporting companies using devised, collaborative, or non-traditional making processes for whom studio space is critical for testing ideas.

We will reserve 50% of spaces for companies that are led by Black, Asian, and/or Global Majority artists, Disabled or Deaf artists, Working Class artists, and/or trans artists. 

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Selection Process

Spaces will be allocated through lottery selection. The application will cover only the essential details we need in order to schedule and assign studios, and the rest will be left to chance.

The lottery will take place in two stages: the first will allocate priority spaces and the second will cover the remaining pool of applications. Anyone who is unsuccessful in the priority draw will be placed in the wider pool for the second draw. 

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Apply Now

Applications for the spring 2026 season of The Allotment are now closed. All applicants will be notified of their lottery outcome by Friday 19^th December. 

If you have any questions about the process, we recommend first taking a look at our Frequently Asked Questions.

If you would like to view the application questions in advance of filling out the form, you can download them below:

Application Questions (PDF) 

Application Questions (Large Print PDF) 

If there's anything that hasn't been covered by the FAQs, you can get in touch with us at [email protected].