The Rudolf Steiner Theatre, also known as the Steiner Theatre or the Rudolf Steiner House, is a performing arts venue located in Westminster, London. It was named in honor of the Austrian philosopher and esotericist Rudolf Steiner, who founded the Anthroposophical movement in the early 20th century.
The Steiner Theatre is primarily used for theatrical productions, concerts, lectures, and workshops related to Anthroposophy, as well as other spiritual and artistic disciplines. It has a seating capacity of approximately 200 people and is equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems.
The history of the Steiner Theatre dates back to the 1920s, when a group of Anthroposophists led by Dr. Walter Johannes Stein purchased a property on Park Road in Hampstead, North London. The property consisted of a large house and a garden, which were converted into a center for Anthroposophical activities.
In 1926, the basement of the house was transformed into a small theatre, which was used for performances of eurythmy, a form of movement art developed by Steiner. The theatre quickly became a popular venue for Anthroposophical events, and in 1930, the upper floors of the house were also converted into a larger theatre space.
During World War II, the Steiner Theatre was requisitioned by the British government and used as a training center for the Women’s Royal Naval Service. After the war, it was returned to the Anthroposophical Society and restored to its former use as a theatre and cultural center.
In the following decades, the Steiner Theatre hosted a wide range of artistic and spiritual events, including performances by the London Eurythmy Theatre, concerts by the London Bach Society, and lectures by prominent Anthroposophists such as Dr. Ita Wegman and Dr. Elisabeth Vreede.
In 1998, the Anthroposophical Society sold the property on Park Road and purchased a new building on Baker Street in Westminster, which became the current home of the Steiner Theatre. The new building was extensively renovated, and the theatre was equipped with modern facilities to meet the needs of contemporary productions.
Today, the Rudolf Steiner Theatre continues to be a vibrant cultural hub in the heart of London, offering a diverse range of performances, lectures, and workshops that reflect the Anthroposophical movement’s commitment to artistic expression, spiritual development, and social renewal.
