Quentin Tarantino show hopes to save Riverside Studios

Theatre bosses at Riverside Studios are pinning their hopes on the success of a new show to revive the historic building that was preparing for administration earlier this year.

The executive producer of Tarantino Live, Shane Scheel, is urging Londoners to come to the studios in Hammersmith to watch his show and support the arts centre.

Tarantino Live, which has been showing since 2015 in Los Angeles, opens this evening at Riverside Studios.

The rock-musical blends iconic songs, scenes and characters from Quentin Tarantino’s Cinematic Universe into a unique theatre experience.

Mr Scheel, who lives in LA but has been staying above a pub in Wimbledon ahead of the shows opening, said: “I am not the American saviour but I do have to say Riverside Studios is worth saving.

“This place has a massive history, some of the greatest actors on the planet have worked in this space, shows I used to watch where made here, like Doctor Who which was on the only channel I got growing up in Kansas.

“This building checks all the boxes the show needed, it’s a film studio where we’re putting on a film, musical experience in a neighbourhood that is absolutely exquisite.

“To come to work and walk out and see Hammersmith bridge, who gets to do that!”

The Riverside Studio, in Hammersmith, announced in April that it had filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. To survive, the studios need to secure £1.5million.

The venue, located on the site of a former Victorian iron works, is one of the most historic production suites in the UK, with the BBC using it as a central hub for some of its earliest television broadcasts more than 50 years ago. 

The building hosts three studios that are used for television, theatre and film. For the last 45 years, it has served as an arts centre.

Mr Scheel said: “Since Covid every arts organisation has found it hard getting back on their feet.

“I know from working here that the people from Riverside Studios have been working day in and day out to keep this thing an arts centre and a thriving part of the community.

“London has to come here and support it, especially people living in Hammersmith.

“It’s a bustling corner right on the river, if the community starts coming to this place they can turn the tide here.”

Whilst creating Tarantino Live, Mr Scheel was visited by Quentin Tarantino himself on a number of occasions, who helped develop the production.He said: “Music is a core inspiration for him, he has a juke box and he’ll put a song on, often times a scene is inspired by the song and they’re married together for the screen.

“What’s kept me going through this has been his encouragement of the project. He came in the second week when we started doing concerts and then he kept coming back.”

Tarantino Live will be shown at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith until August 13.

Stephen Cowan, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham council, said: “It is vital Riverside Studios remains a community arts hub and we will work with the administrators to make sure that happens.”

Pictured top: Shane Scheel (Picture: Claudia Lee)