In February 2010, The Old Vic acquired this new performance space beneath Waterloo Station from BRB (Residuary) formerly British Rail. This unique venue showcases productions, performances and installations and will continue to be home to a series of innovative and surprising arts events throughout 2011.

Last year The Old Vic Tunnels opened with The Lambeth Palace, an underground cinema built to screen the UK premiere of Banksy’s film Exit through the Gift Shop, followed by the first major theatre production in the space – Ditch, by Beth Steel, a High Tide and The Old Vic co-production. This was followed closely by Aftermath, as part of the LIFT Festival and over the last few months, a number of varied events have taken place. These include SlapDash, a three day festival of improvisation and Alan Moore, the graphic comic genius behind V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentleman and The Watchmen read his new short story Unearthing to images supported by a live band.

The first music concert in the venue featured Villagers who received a Mercury prize for their single Becoming a Jackal. Not forgetting The Old Vic Tunnels volunteers who produced an extravaganza of cross-art collaboration, the sold-out Dark Carnival: Notes from Underground.

The Old Vic Tunnels has also been home to the British premiere of Scorched, a Dialogue and The Old Vic co-production by award-winning playwright Wajdi Mouawad. Most recently we’ve had Hell’s Half Acre - in association with the Lazarides Gallery and Platform, London’s biggest community project produced by Old Vic New Voices.