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From playing an android in Alien: Romulus to a hedge fund manager in Industry and a heart-eyed lover in Rye Lane, it’s fair to say that east London-born David Jonsson has range. He’s up for a Rising Star award at this year’s BAFTAs, and while you may be more used to seeing him on screen, his acting journey started on the stage with a debut at Islington’s Almeida theatre back in 2018.
‘The best actors have all come through theatre,’ he said. ‘Especially if you’re British. Look at Daniel Craig at the Almeida. For me, it was my way in.’ London isn’t short on excellent stages hosting world-leading theatre – from huge cultural institutions like the National to boundary-pushing grassroots venues like The Yard – but if you’re new to the scene, it can be hard to know where to start.
Below, David Jonsson handpicks four of his favourite theatres in London.
Read the full David Jonsson interview here, where he talks ‘Industry’, ‘Alien: Romulus’ and working with Frank Ocean.
1. Almeida
‘It’s just a gorgeous building in Islington, which is a lovely part of London. The walls are all brickwork and then you go up and it’s this small, intimate theatre. The Almeida has a history of doing really daring stuff, and on the walls are pictures of Tom Hardy in Festen and all these actors that I really admire. The Almeida was my first show – I got pulled out of drama school a bit early for a play called Mary Stuart. I love it.’
Almeida St, N1 1TA
2. The Barbican
‘This is a special one for me. It’s almost like it’s not built for theatre because it’s so big, but it’s one of those cultural spots. The atmosphere is eerie. It feels menacing, and I love that about it because it’s all the concrete, it’s Brutalist. The acoustics are really good. And it has bigger dressing rooms.’
Silk St, City of London, EC2Y 8DS
3. The Young Vic
‘I love the Young and the Old Vic because they’re the same but different. Before I was acting, I remember seeing Ben Whishaw do Hamlet at the Old Vic and it was legendary. You go into that theatre and it feels like yesteryear. It feels posh to me. Then you go into the Young Vic and it’s so cutting edge, breaking boundaries and cool. When I was at drama school, I saw A View From the Bridge there with Mark Strong and Phoebe Fox and it blew my mind. You want to have a pint at the Young Vic and you want to have a glass of wine at the Old Vic.’
66 The Cut, SE1 8LZ
4. Theatre503
‘It’s a black box theatre in this weird bit in Clapham Junction above a pub. New writing is so important and this is one of those places that showcases it. The Arcola Theatre in east London is another one. If you come to the theatre and leave with nothing, it’s a waste of time. You have to leave changed.’
503 Battersea Park Rd, SW11 3BW
David Jonsson is nominated for the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award. You can vote here until 12pm, Fri Feb 14.
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