The Hobbs Factory

The Hobbs Factory was established in September 2004 by Emma Serlin and adopted its name from its first venue, a cavernous disused factory nestled in Primrose Hill. A vast, inspiring and extremely flexible space; our venue created unmistakable atmosphere for every performance.

The Hobbs Factory staged four productions in the factory, culminating in a promenade production of The Tempest, which turned the entire two floored factory into a two-floored ten-roomed set. This was a sell-out production and allowed us a grand farewell to what has been an incredible space.

Hobbs Horizons
The Hobbs Factory has a number of exciting projects on slow boil and will continue to do innovative shows in inspired settings. To keep up to date with Hobbs Happenings, please join our mailing list by emailing: info@thehobbsfactory.com putting ‘Hobbs Horizons’ in the subject box.

Hobbs Mission Statement
The Hobbs Factory wants to make theatre that connects with their audience, hits them right in their hearts while stimulating and entertaining their minds. We think theatre should be fun, thought provoking and take you on a journey, so that when you leave there is a little buzz, a stirring, that wasn’t there before.
Through new plays and old classics, new spaces and older ones, using imagination and a whole lot of heart, that is what we aim to do.

The Tempest

The Hobbs Factory most recent project was a promenade adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. This was the company’s fourth show and its most ambitious to date, involving a team of some 15 recent design graduates to create set designer takis, and director Emma Serlin’s artistic vision. It was a great success, selling out in the final week and receiving fantastic feedback from press and public alike.

Praise for The Hobbs Factory and The Tempest:

‘This production demonstrates to the fullest extent just what exciting, creative, dynamic places found spaces can be. Takis’ designs for the rooms and Jonathan Samuels’ lighting immerse the audience in director Emma Serlin’s multilayered three dimensional concept. She has such a grasp of how to use the space, such vision. This production must be seen.’
The Stage Newspaper

‘Site-specific theatre where audiences are made to follow the act around unusual places, is a risky business. The true test is whether you eagerly anticipate the next move, or whether you consider taking a wrong turning… but by the end of this inspired production there were no stragglers to be seen.’
Camden New Journal – Tom Foot

‘Well strike me down. I just feel sorry for everyone who didn’t get to see The Tempest at The Hobbs Factory, it flamed amazement. A total theatre experience. The characters were all incredible with Prospero standing out as he should and supported brilliantly by the rest of the cast. It is just a shame that this was the last performance of the play and even more of a shame that The Hobbs Factory won’t be used again as a theatre. The rapturous applause was muffled as nearly everyone was wearing gloves but it was well worth the numb limbs.’
London Student Newspaper- David Wright

‘Last night I saw “The Tempest” at The Hobbs Factory in Primrose Hill, If you’d be interested in seeing a very, very good promenade production of a Shakespeare, go see it.’
User review from Whatsonstage

‘Emma Serlin, the director may well be someone to watch. Emma Serlin is using her space in very clever and intriguing ways…For any theatre people this is a “must see” for research if for no other reason. Also you may want to work for Emma Serlin in the future.’
User review from Whatsonstage

The Hobbs Factory’s inaugural production was The Game of Love and Chance: A classic tale of romantic intrigue by much loved 18th Century playwright Marivaux, it is rarely seen in Britain. It was rapturously received by sell-out audiences. Following that was Nick Dear’s adaptation of The Promise: A poignant and heart-aching story of the intertwined love lives of three people, set against the back drop of the Leningrad Siege. This was only the second production of this adaptation in London. The company’s third production was The Veronika Sessions, a devised piece created in collaboration with award-winning young writer Rachel Wagstaff. It tells the story of a young woman who, after a failed suicide attempt and with only a week to live, re-discovers the joy of living.

Praise for The Hobbs Factory and The Promise:

I applaud this project… the future of theatre is in really interesting plays being put on in interesting places… I always like doing things in informal settings.
Director, writer and local resident, Dr Jonathan Miller

A brave gem of total theatre
, Piers Eady , Ham and High

This is a fantastic project. Emma has a terrific passion and commitment and she has great things ahead of her.
Emma Serlin’ s mentor, Actress Dearbhla Malloy

Top extracts taken from The Ham and High, January 28th 2005

Outreach, education and training

Aside from producing theatre, The Hobbs Factory is also committed to being a positive force within the wider community. The company has consistently provided opportunities for those just starting their theatrical careers, offering valuable experience in both technical and artistic areas. The company is also dedicated to increasing young people’s enthusiasm for theatre: The Game of Love and Chance raised over £1,000 for the charity Scene and Heard, which supports educating underprivileged children in the performing arts. The Promise featured free post-show talks designed to help young people interested in starting their own companies. There were similar talks for The Tempest, and The Hobbs Factory also gave talks in local schools regarding the production.