The Stephen Joseph Transfer – a new programme developed and delivered by both The Cockpit and The Glitch – offers one company performing as part of The Glitch’s spring season a full week to develop and deliver their work at The Cockpit. The scheme is aimed at artists showing exceptional promise for making work in-the-round, and who would benefit from the opportunity to scale their work up to a much larger space.
Alongside a week’s programming slot, the company will also receive a week of free rehearsal space at The Glitch, support and mentorship from Dave Wybrow, Artistic Director at The Cockpit, and production support from Oli Savage (VAULT’s Artistic Director).
The Highgate Vampire has been selected as the inaugural Stephen Joseph Transfer in January 2026.
The Cockpit is London’s oldest and largest in-the-round theatre. With 220 seats, and a year-round programme of theatre, music, festivals, and dance, the venue has long been a trend-setter for supporting disruptive and exciting new work. At just 50 seats, The Glitch (run by VAULT Creative Arts, the former producers of VAULT Festival) might be London’s smallest in-the-round venue. With this programme, these organisations hope to encourage more early-career artists to make work in-the-round, supporting them reach new audiences and develop their craft, at a time when it seems many other venues are shying away from such work.
The programme is named after Stephen Joseph – a pioneer and champion of in-the-round theatre in the UK – and is supported also by the Stephen Joseph Committee, a sub-committee of the Association of British Theatre Technicians.
Supported by The Stephen Joseph Committee, part of the ATTB (The Association of British Theatre Technicians)
The Stephen Joseph Committee
The Stephen Joseph Committee was formed to support and celebrate the life work of Stephen Joseph as director and teacher, and as the pioneer of theatre-in-the-round in the UK.
His legacy and name live on though the theatres he created, and also through the events, awards and seminars hosted by the SJC.
The aim of the SJC is to promote Stephen’s legacy with projects and collaborations which investigate and extend the awareness of his influence on the design and development of new theatre forms, writing and performance.
Who was Stephen Joseph?
Stephen Joseph was one of the most influential theatre practitioners of the last century. He was a founder of both the ABTT and the Society of Theatre Consultants. He promoted new writing, architectural standards and technical excellence, and pioneered theatre in the round and adaptable staging. At the heart of his practice lay the close relationship between performer and audience.
ABTT - The Association of British Theatre Technicians.
The ABTT is a membership organisation, setting and upholding standards in technical excellence, safety and compliance for live performance.
They provide:
– A technical helpline for your technical queries.
– Ongoing training for your professional development.
– Guidance on the design and operation of venues.
– The Code of Practice for the Industry.
Dave Wybrow, Artistic Director at The Cockpit, said: “Theatre in the round was the heart of Stephen Joseph's mission: The same goes for The Glitch and The Cockpit. As theatre in the round enjoys a new wave of popularity, we're two venues excited to offer a developmental opportunity focused on optimising the form and up-skilling practitioners. The Stephen Joseph Transfer will bring London more and better in-the-round shows. Verve and entertainment - with the power to change lives and the world. Intimate - in a big way. Amphitheatrical - but also a theatre of action.”
Alex Knott, Director of Bag of Beard, said: “"Bag of Beard are beyond thrilled to have been selected for the first Stephen Joseph Transfer! 'The Highgate Vampire' was our first experience working in the round, and to begin with we couldn't imagine how a play that is partially a "scientific lecture" could work with the audience on all sides. But throughout rehearsals, working at The Glitch and trying the play in front of an audience, we discovered a love for the form and are absolutely delighted to be taking the show to The Cockpit! What a fantastic opportunity."
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