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Collaboration at its most creative

Welcome to The Source, a brand new arts venue in Stratford’s up-and-coming cultural quarter. The Source has been created in a partnership between the University of East London and Newham’s Youth Empowerment Service - uniting the university and our vibrant community in Stratford.

The Source of collaboration, creativity and connection

The Source combines an incubator for creative expression and live performance, a youth zone for young people to explore their social and emotional learning, and performance spaces used for learning and hire.

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Upcoming events

  • FILM NIGHTS - Memoir of a Snail

    The Source

    Tuesday 18 November 2025

    “Memoir of a Snail” follows Grace Pudel, a lonely collector who learns to heal from loss and isolation.

    “Memoir of a Snail” follows Grace Pudel, a lonely collector who learns to heal from loss and isolation.

  • FILM NIGHTS - "Kingsman - The Secret Service"

    The Source

    Tuesday 25 November 2025

    As Eggsy learns the values of courage, loyalty, and refinement that define a true Kingsman, a global threat emerges in the form of Richmond Valentine.

    As Eggsy learns the values of courage, loyalty, and refinement that define a true Kingsman, a global threat emerges in the form of Richmond Valentine.

  • Qawwaledy Night!

    The Source

    Saturday 29 November 2025

    Get ready for a night packed with laughter, good vibes, and pure entertainment!

    Get ready for a night packed with laughter, good vibes, and pure entertainment!

  • Tanu Weds Manu - South Asian film nights

    The Source

    Saturday 29 November 2025

    Join us at The Source for a screening of 'Tanu Weds Manu' - a romantic comedy that blends heart, humour, and cultural tension in a story of love that refuses to follow the rules.

    Join us at The Source for a screening of 'Tanu Weds Manu' - a romantic comedy that blends heart, humour, and cultural tension in a story of love that refuses to follow the rules.

  • Dil Dhadakne Do - South Asian film nights

    The Source

    Saturday 20 December 2025

    Join us at The Source for a screening of 'Dil Dhadakne Do' - a sparkling ensemble drama that follows a dysfunctional Indian family on a luxury cruise.

    Join us at The Source for a screening of 'Dil Dhadakne Do' - a sparkling ensemble drama that follows a dysfunctional Indian family on a luxury cruise.

See all events

Join our Youth Choir

  • When: Wednesdays, 4:30–6:00 pm, starting 12 March 2025
  • Who can join: People aged 14-25
  • Where: The Source, Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX

For more information, contact Tristan Parkes at t.parkes@uel.ac.uk.

We Live in Time

Tuesday 26 August

Time: doors open at 6pm

Between 6:30pm and 7:00pm, just before the main feature film, we’ll be showcasing short films by talented emerging filmmakers.

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: R
RUNNING TIME: 1hr 48mins
IMDb: 7/10

We Live in Time is a tender, time-shifting love story about Almut and Tobias, two strangers brought together by chance. As their relationship deepens—through love, marriage, and the birth of a child—their lives are quietly upended by Almut’s unexpected cancer diagnosis. Told in fragmented, non-linear glimpses, the film explores how we build a life together even as time threatens to take it apart. With moving performances by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, it’s a haunting reflection on love, memory, and the moments that truly matter.

Tickets: Free this month

Book tickets to see We Live in Time on Eventbrite

Important information

  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
Movie poster for the film, 'We live in Time'

The Amateur

Tuesday 19 August

Time: doors open at 6pm

Between 6:30pm and 7:00pm, just before the main feature film, we’ll be showcasing short films by talented emerging filmmakers.

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: 15+
RUNNING TIME: 2hr 4mins
IMDb: 6.5/10

The Amateur (2025) is a gripping espionage thriller directed by James Hawes, known for his work on Slow Horses and Black Mirror. The film stars Rami Malek as Charlie Heller, a brilliant yet reclusive CIA codebreaker whose world is torn apart when his wife, played by Rachel Brosnahan, is killed in a terrorist attack in London. When the agency refuses to act, Charlie takes matters into his own hands, blackmailing the CIA into giving him field training.

Under the tough mentorship of a seasoned operative, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne, Charlie is transformed from a desk-bound analyst into a calculated avenger. As he tracks terrorists across Europe, he uncovers a deeper conspiracy involving CIA corruption. With tense action, emotional depth, and cerebral suspense, The Amateur delivers a modern revenge thriller powered by Malek’s intense performance and Hawes’ taut direction.

Tickets: Free this month

Book tickets to see The Amateur on Eventbrite

Important information

  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
Movie poster for the film, 'The Amateur'

Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy

Tuesday 12 August

Time: doors open at 6pm

Between 6:30pm and 7:00pm, just before the main feature film, we’ll be showcasing short films by talented emerging filmmakers.

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: R (RESCRITED)
RUNNING TIME: 2hr 4mins
IMDb: 6.6/10

“Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy”, directed by Michael Morris is the fourth rom-com in the “Bridget Jones” film series, based on Helen Fielding’s 2013 novel, starring Oscar-winner Renée Zellweger. Now in her fifties, ‘Bridget Jones’ gets back on track following the death of her husband. As she opens her door to dating once again, she will enter a new decade and a new diary...

Tickets: Free this month

Book tickets to see Bridget Jones on Eventbrite

Important information

  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
Movie poster for Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy

The Substance

Tuesday 5 August

Time: doors open at 6pm

Between 6:30pm and 7:00pm, just before the main feature film, we’ll be showcasing short films by talented emerging filmmakers.

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: R (RESCRITED)
RUNNING TIME: 2hr 21mins
IMDb: 7.2/10

In The Substance, Demi Moore delivers a haunting performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a once-celebrated actress cast aside by a youth-obsessed industry. Desperate to reclaim her fame and vitality, she turns to a mysterious rejuvenation serum known only as "the substance." Directed with visceral intensity by Coralie Fargeat, the film spirals into body-horror as the serum begins to work—violently. Margaret Qualley plays the emerging, radiant new version of Elisabeth, while Dennis Quaid takes on the role of the manipulative TV producer who tempts and exploits her transformation. As identity, ambition, and the female body are dissected—sometimes literally—The Substance becomes a fierce, grotesque allegory on beauty, power, and the terror of becoming obsolete.

Tickets: Free this month

Book tickets to see The Substance on Eventbrite

Important information

  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
Demi Moore looking into a glass ball in The Substance

The Showcase

Saturday 2 August

Time: 6-8.30pm

Come and celebrate a year of hard work, creativity, and growth with Perspective!

The doors will open at 5.30pm and the show will start at 6:00pm. This showcase is a reflection of everything we’ve worked on in the past year – the rehearsals, the creativity, and the love for what we do. It’s a space for our team members to share their own pieces and choreography, and to simply enjoy dancing together with the community we have built together. We’ll also be joined by some guest performers, making the evening even more special. Whether you're part of the dance world or just love a good performance, we’d love to have you with us.

Tickets: from £20.21

Book your ticket for Showcase on Eventbrite

Important information

  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
Poster with text 'The Showcase'

The Last Showgirl

Tuesday 29 July

Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: R (RESCRITED)
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 25mins
IMDb: 6.5/10
The Last Showgirl (2024)

A seasoned showgirl must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.

Book tickets to see The Last Showgirl on Eventbrite

 

Important information

  • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event
  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
Pamela Anderson smiling in costume in The Last Showgirl

Project Pac presents: Stars in their Eyes!

Saturday 26 July

Time: 2.30pm

Step into the spotlight with us as our very own choreographers and guest performers become the icons they admire - for one night only!

Tickets: from £16.96

Book your ticket for Stars in their Eyes on Eventbrite

Important information

  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
Dancers on a stage in front of a screen reading 'Stars in their Eyes'

Ocean

Tuesday 22 July

Time: 6:30 - 8:25pm

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: PG
RUNNING TIME: 1hr 25mins
IMDb: 8.6/10
'Ocean'(2025)

Sir David Attenborough explores the planet's undersea habitats, revealing the greatest age of ocean discovery and emphasizing the ocean's vital importance while exposing its problems and highlighting opportunities for marine life recovery.

Important information

  • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event
  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
A whale and diver swimming in the ocean

Bird

Tuesday 15 July

Time: 6:30 - 9pm

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: R (Adult accompaniment for under 17years old)
RUNNING TIME: 2hrs
IMDb: 7/10
'BIRD'(2024)

Bailey lives with her brother Hunter and her father Bug, who raises them alone in a squat in northern Kent. Bug doesn't have much time to devote to them. Bailey looks for attention and adventure elsewhere.

Book tickets to see Bird on Eventbrite.

Important information

  • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event
  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
Bird movie still featuring Barry Keoghan and Nykiya Adams on a motorbike

New Space Festival : A platform for original performance work

Monday 30 June to Friday 11 July

Join us for an exciting and dynamic performance and film festival, celebrating the work of our MA performing arts students.

About this event

New Space Festival takes place at The Source between 30 June and 11 July, and presents a diverse array of new works created for both stage and screen. Audiences will have the unique opportunity to experience fresh, original performances that span a range of genres, styles, and artistic approaches. The new space created by the students allows for the reflection of different artistic visions on both stage and screen.

Date and time: 30 June-11 July, 7-9:30pm

Location: The Source

Poster promoting the New Space Festival - A platform for original performance work, June 30 - July 11 2025 at The Source, Stratford.

To a Land Unknown

Tuesday 8 July

Time: 6:30 - 8:45pm

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: 15
RUNNING TIME: 1hr 45mins
IMDb: 7.3/10
'TO A LAND UNKNOWN'(2024)

To a Land Unknown is a 2024 drama film, directed and co-written by Mahdi Fleifel.[2] It stars Mahmood Bakri and Aram Sabbah as Chatila and Reda, Palestinian refugees living in Athens who are trying to save what little money they can acquire to purchase fake passports so they can move to Germany, only for Chatila to become drawn into a high-risk smuggling plot after Reda spends all their money on heroin.

Book tickets for To a Land Unknown on Eventbrite

Important information

  • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event
  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
To a Land Unknown still of two men sitting down with a skateboard

How to have sex

Tuesday 1 July

 6:30pm - 8:30 pm

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: 15
RUNNING TIME: 1hr 31mins
IMDb: 6.5/10
HOW TO HAVE SEX (2024)

The film stars Mia McKenna-Bruce, Lara Peake and Enva Lewis as three sixteen-year-old best friends who encounter new friendships, sexual pressures and self-discovery during a holiday in Crete where they plan to enjoy a wild summer of drinking and partying. This arresting drama, deals boldly but thoughtfully with matters of consent and sexual violence.

Book tickets for How to Have Sex via Eventbrite

Important information

  • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event
  • Doors open 30 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details
How to have sex movie still

Midland Doctors presents: Romeo and Juliet! The ultimate love story adapted by Mohammed Inamullah

Sunday 29 June

RAZIA and JANNAT is an Urdu adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play 'Romeo and Juliet' about two Pakistani families living in the USA.

Ages 12+
 

About this event

RAZIA and JANNAT is a humorous Urdu adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play 'Romeo and Juliet', about two Pakistani families living in the USA.

It’s a satire and is played by a drama group based in Atlanta, USA.

This is a cross-generational production, and while the adaptation is Urdu, the script will be multi-lingual, so all will be able to enjoy!

About the charity

Koohie Goth Women Hospital (KGWH) was established in 2004 in rural Karachi to provide emergency and basic health care to women in need.

It’s a hospital without a cash counter, and all patients are treated free of cost and, most importantly, with dignity.

It’s a training centre for midwives, nurses and paramedics. All trainees receive free education with boarding and lodging.
We train more than 200 girls every year in different fields to help them secure jobs after gaining qualifications in different hospitals.

KGWH is a 250-bed hospital where we deliver more than 1400 babies every month, about a thousand major surgeries are performed, and we provide free treatment to more than 600 patients in our outpatient department.

Agenda

Pre Drama Exhibition, Stalls and Networking

You are invited to visit an exhibition of South Asian clothes, jewellery, paintings and books and network with like-minded guests. Please also pass by and say hello to the chairman of the hospital and some of the team, who would be happy to answer your questions.

Time: 2pm - 6pm

Main Event Registration and Pre-Event Interval

An opportunity to enjoy a complimentary meal with old and new friends

Time: 5pm - 6pm

The Main Event

The Main Event will comprise a documentary and speeches, followed by a humorous adaptation of the well-known Shakespeare play 'Romeo and Juliet'!

Time: 6.30pm - 9.00pm

Tickets: £33.22 (general admission), £ 27.80 Concessions

Booking: Eventbrite

Venue: The Source, Source Studios (formerly Stratford Circus), Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX

Important information

  • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event
  • Doors open 45 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details

Presented by Midland Doctors, The Source  and University of East London

Midland Doctors presents: Romeo and Juliet!

UKCPA presents: The 3rd Silk Road Dance Festival

Saturday 28 June

The Silk Road Dance Festival 2025 is more than just a performance—it is a cultural dialogue and a heartfelt connection

About this event

Opening a mysterious book of Chinese culture is like travelling through time, glimpsing the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, the misty charm of Jiangnan, the echoes of camel bells along the Silk Road, and the legends of heroes. On June 28, we invite you to The Source to embark on an extraordinary journey through Chinese dance and history.

This festival aims to promote Chinese culture and provide a stage for dance enthusiasts to showcase their talents. Each dance is a moving painting, telling stories of different dynasties, regions, and characters. From the ethereal elegance of Dunhuang’s flying apsaras to the delicate grace of Jiangnan, from the bold spirit of the northern grasslands to the splendour of ancient palaces, every performance pays homage to history and humanity.

The Silk Road Dance Festival is more than just a performance—it is a cultural dialogue and a heartfelt connection. Framed as a "Book of Chinese Dance Stories," the festival unfolds page by page, guiding audiences through time and space, weaving together the essence of tradition and innovation.

Join us on 28 June at The Source as we turn the pages of this cultural book, immerse ourselves in the beauty of Chinese dance, and experience stories that transcend time.

Details

UKCPA Chinese Cultural Exhibition: 4pm - 7pm

Performance time: 7pm - 9pm

Doors open from 6pm

Tickets: From £16.96

Booking: via Eventbrite

Venue: The Source, Source Studios (formerly Stratford Circus), Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX

Important information

  • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event
  • Doors open 45 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details

Presented by UK China Performing Arts and the University of East London

UKCPA presents The 3rd Silk Road Dance Festival

Memoir of a Snail (Film Launch)

Tuesday 24 June

About this event

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: PG-15
RUNNING TIME: 1hr 34mins
IMDb: 7.8/10
'MEMOIR OF A SNAIL'(2024)

Memoir of a Snail is a 2024 Australian adult stop-motion animated tragicomedy film written, produced and directed by Adam Elliot. It stars the voices of Sarah Snook, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Eric Bana, Magda Szubanski, Dominique Pinon, Tony Armstrong, Paul Capsis, Nick Cave, and Jacki Weaver. Grace, a lonely woman, recounts her life’s hardships, family loss, and resilience to her pet snail. Set in 1970s Australia, it’s a bittersweet tale of grief, healing, and sibling reunion, blending dark humour with heartfelt emotion.

(Ages 15+)

Details

Screening starts at 6.30pm, doors open at 6pm.

Tickets:  £5 plus booking fee £1.13

Booking: via Eventbrite

Venue: The Source, Source Studios (formerly Stratford Circus), Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX

Important information

  • Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event
  • Doors open 45 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details

Presented by THE SOURCE and FILM LONDON

Memoir of a Snail film launch

Sister Midnight

Tuesday 17 June

SCREEN: Studio Theatre
AGE RATING: PG-15
RUNNING TIME: 110mins
IMDb: 6.6/10
'SISTER MIDNIGHT'(2024)

About this event

Sister Midnight is a black comedy film directed and written by Karan Kandhari in his directorial debut. The film stars Radhika Apte as a woman who is dragged into an unhappy arranged marriage and experiences chaotic events.
The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival during its Directors' Fortnight section on 19 May 2024. It was nominated at the 78th BAFTA Awards for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer

Age 15 +

Details

Screening starts at 6.30 pm, doors open at 6pm

Tickets: £5 plus booking fee £1.13

Booking: via Eventbrite

Venue: The Source, Source Studios (formerly Stratford Circus), Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX

Important information

  • No refunds
  • Doors open 45 minutes before showtime
  • On-site café available
  • No venue parking
  • Accessibility: See FAQs for details

Presented by THE SOURCE, supported by FILM LONDON 

Sister Midnight

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UEL students

The Source is a hub for East London Arts Students, serving as an exciting performance space to showcase your work, a social hangout and a learning space.

Female student smiling in front of drum kit

Cultural Producers Programme

Join Creative Newham’s paid training programme and launch your career in the cultural sector.

Member of the public interacting with a presenter at the Stratford Youth Centre Opening September 2023

Hire a rehearsal space

Looking for a theatre, dance or music rehearsal venue in East London? Our auditorium, studio theatre, and dance studio are available to hire now.

Email our hiring team

Our location

The Source, Source Studios (formerly Stratford Circus)
Theatre Square
Stratford
London
E15 1BX

The Source is located in the centre of Stratford - five minutes' walk from Stratford station. It is served by national and London Overground rail services, as well as the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines, and the DLR. Bus routes calling at Stratford station include: the 25, 69, 86, 104, 108, 158, 238, 241, 257, 262, 276, 308, 425, and the D8. Our free inter-campus bus service also calls at USS.