Moore Kingston Smith advises London Theatre Company Holdings Limited including the Bridge Theatre on its sale to Trafalgar Entertainment
30 June 2026
Moore Kingston Smith Corporate Finance has advised London Theatre Company Holdings Limited (LTC) on its sale to Trafalgar Entertainment Group Limited. The deal includes the Bridge Theatre – one of London’s most distinctive theatres – and a King’s Cross venue which hosts immersive entertainment business, Lightroom – plus subsidiary companies.
LTC, established 2017 by Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr following their 12-year tenure at the National Theatre, opened the Bridge Theatre in October of the same year. The Bridge is the first wholly new theatre of scale to be added to London’s commercial theatre sector in 80 years, and the first to be built outside the historic West End.
Productions have included A German Life starring Maggie Smith, Richard II with Jonathan Bailey, the Olivier Award-winning Guys & Dolls, and the 2026 Olivier Award-winning Best Musical Revival, Into The Woods. The Bridge Theatre will be staging a production of The Oresteia, directed by Simon Stone, in July 2026.
This acquisition marks an important next chapter – an evolution that builds on the extraordinary foundations already in place. The Bridge is a successful and much-loved part of London’s culture. Bringing these platforms together combines strong creative identity with the backing and infrastructure to support future growth, with a clear focus on maintaining and building momentum across both spaces.
Working closely with the shareholders and their legal advisers, our M&A team led the process delivering a competitive and efficient process from start to finish.
Having previously led the landmark sale of the Theatre Royal Haymarket to Access Entertainment, the team brought deep knowledge of both the buyer landscape and the wider theatre market to deliver a well-aligned outcome. While acting as lead M&A adviser, Moore Kingston Smith also provided tax and valuation support throughout the transaction.
The Moore Kingston Smith Corporate Finance team was led by Paul Winterflood, Media Corporate Finance Partner, supported by Tabitha Hyde and Matt Edwards. Tax advice was provided by Tom Acland and Charlotte Henriksen, along with valuation expertise from Victoria Cawdron and James Clarke.
Paul Winterflood, Media Corporate Finance Partner at Moore Kingston Smith, said: “This is a fantastic outcome for all involved. London Theatre Company has built an exceptional venue in the Bridge Theatre, and Trafalgar Entertainment is the ideal partner to support its next phase. We’re delighted to have supported the shareholders through the process, securing a result that positions both The Bridge and Lightroom strongly for the future.”
Jake Irwin, Chairman, The London Theatre Company, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created with London Theatre Company and the reputation it has established since opening. Finding the right partner to take the business forward, while preserving what makes The Bridge unique, was critical. Moore Kingston Smith provided invaluable support throughout the process. They were instrumental in delivering a successful outcome for the business.”
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