Ahead of Theatre Peckham’s festive season announcement of Alice in Wonderland, written by Geoff Aymer and directed by Artistic Director Dr. Suzann McLean MBE, ALT A’s Editor sat down with McLean to discuss her vision, challenges, and achievements since taking the helm in 2018. In this wide-ranging conversation, McLean reflects on the evolving theatre landscape, the importance of community-rooted programming, and what lies ahead for Theatre Peckham as it approaches its 40th anniversary.
ALT A: What does theatre programming for your local and diverse community look like at Theatre Peckham?
Suzann McLean: Our programming is rooted in the community, we’re creating work for Peckham, and we’re creating it with Peckham. We work hard to platform stories that speak to the cultures, the complexities, and the brilliance of South London. That means intergenerational stories, resilience, coming-of-age tales, Spoken Word Theatre, and the everyday magic. It’s hyperlocal with a universal heart.
ALT A: You’ve been Artistic Director since 2018. After seven years in the role, what has changed most at Theatre Peckham and maybe the industry for better or worse?
Suzann McLean: When I started, Theatre Peckham was already known for its incredible legacy in training children and young people. That work still thrives today through our Academy, and I’m so proud that it remains at the heart of what we do. Over the last seven years, the team and I have also worked to expand that foundation, we’ve put Theatre Peckham firmly on the map as a home for innovative theatre, new writing, and stories from Global Majority creatives.
Artists are getting access to a stage to put their work in front of a live audience. That’s what every artist really needs. A stage, an audience, and a space to try, to learn, to grow, and to develop their craft. I’m proud that we provide that.
Across the wider industry, there’s definitely been more willingness to listen. There have been important conversations about access, equity, and representation, but talk is one thing, sustained action is another and the momentum hasn’t always lasted. The kind of work we do at Theatre Peckham, nurturing artists from the ground up and staying rooted in community, is often overlooked and underfunded. Yet this is the very foundation that the future of theatre depends on.
ALT A: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in leading the theatre and community programming?
Suzann McLean: Sustainability, both financial and emotional. Leading a venue like Theatre Peckham means constantly fighting for resources while protecting the integrity of what we stand for. We’re ambitious, but we’re still a small team doing big things. Balancing that is tough. Someone shared this phrase with me recently, ‘It takes a lot of effort to look effortless,’ that’s Theatre Peckham to its core.
ALT A: Looking back, what are you most proud of during your time as Artistic Director?
Suzann McLean: I’m proud of so many things. Overall, it’s the opportunity we provide for people to enjoy creativity and grow as creatives. Every time someone says, “This was the first time I saw myself on stage,” I know we’re doing something right.
ALT A: Can you tell us about the upcoming season and what audiences can look forward to?
Suzann McLean: This season, we’re celebrating bold, brave storytelling. We’ve got new work, and this year YGB has extended to Canada Water Theatre, allowing us to further our commitment to platforming local talent. We’re also spotlighting our Elevating Spoken Word Theatre Project with two Spoken Word Theatre plays. And we are closing the season with Sierra Leone Arts & Culture Festival 2025 (SLACfest), a cultural exchange and showcase of multidisciplinary art. There’s going to be music, poetry, panel talks, comedy, food, exhibitions and activities for the whole family.
ALT A: What would you say is Theatre Peckham’s unique selling point compared to other theatres in London?
Suzann McLean: Theatre Peckham is a learning theatre. We’re a community first, and a theatre that rises from that energy. We centre young people, we champion representation, and we love what we do.
ALT A: How do you reach and engage audiences who might not ordinarily see theatre as a space for them?
Suzann McLean: We believe theatre has to be by the people, for the people. That means involving our community in every stage of the creative process, so they see themselves reflected in the stories. Our programming removes barriers, whether that’s ticket price, language, or perceptions of who theatre is for. And importantly, we keep the door open for long-term relationships.
ALT A: What’s your vision for Theatre Peckham over the next five years?
Suzann McLean: Next year, Theatre Peckham celebrates 40 years. My vision is to continue breaking down the walls between professional and community theatre, because we blur that line on purpose. Over the next five years, I want us to secure the funding that fully supports artists at the earliest stages of their development so they can be resourced fairly. I also want other theatres to engage more deeply with the innovative, boundary-pushing work coming out of Theatre Peckham, giving these stories a future life beyond our walls.
ALT A: How has your background and experience as an actor shaped your approach as an Artistic Director?
Suzann McLean: Massively. I lead with empathy and an understanding of what it feels like to be in the rehearsal room, to audition, to be vulnerable. I know what it’s like to feel like the outsider, and I always want every artist to feel welcome and seen here.
ALT A: What stories would you like to see more of on stage, not just at Theatre Peckham but across British theatre as a whole?
Suzann McLean: Stories filled with joy, love, strength, and hope. Stories from communities that have often been overlooked or misunderstood, especially working-class voices.
ALT A: Who inspires you most in your work and in your wider creative journey?
Suzann McLean: The young people. Always. Their creativity, resilience, and energy for life inspires me. And of course, trailblazers like Paulette Randall, Anni Domingo and Angie Le Mar.
ALT A: Where do you call home?
Suzann McLean: Home is wherever there’s love, music, and people full of heart. My roots are in Bermuda and Trinidad, so home lives in both those islands, in the UK and in every space where I feel seen, held, and inspired.
ALT A: Name your ultimate go-to dish?
Suzann McLean: Definitely a Trini Roti. Soft dhalpuri filled with curry chicken — it feeds your soul, not just your belly.
🎭 What’s On at Theatre Peckham – October Highlights
✨ Stroke In The Sun | 2 Oct, 7:30pm
Zee is lost. Or at least she thinks she is. As others appear in her journey, she must confront where she’s been and where she’s going.
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✨ ROUTES | 2–4 Oct, 2:30pm & 7:30pm
A bold double-bill exploring identity, struggle and survival through two contrasting perspectives—one reflective, one satirical.
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✨ One More Track | 9–10 Oct, 7:30pm
With the anniversary of his father’s death looming, Gabriel, a DJ with big dreams, confronts legacy, pressure and who he is meant to become.
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✨ Made You Look | 21 Oct, 7:30pm
A one-man poetry show examining masculinity, migration, and what it means to be seen or unseen in modern Britain.
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✨ The Institution of Failed Artists | 23–24 Oct, 7:30pm
After years of rejection, “Rubes” is abducted into an institution that promises one last chance for failing artists — but the stakes are dangerously high.
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✨ Runner Girl | 28 Oct, 7:30pm
Anu returns home from university and faces buried emotions after a traumatic encounter. A powerful lyrical journey through wounds, secrets, and renewal.
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✨ Alice in Wonderland – Festive Show | Dates 5-23 Dec 2025
Join Alice on a magical journey down the rabbit hole in Theatre Peckham’s enchanting festive production. Fun, wonder, and surprises await for all ages!
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……………………………………….. book your tickets now and support local theatre!
