A 200-capacity arts venue is opening within the grounds of the oldest standing building of the former Deptford Royal Dockyard, on the banks of the river Thames.

Shipwright, located in the garden of the Master Shipwright’s House, will host a programme of musical and theatrical across three weekends from July 22 to August 7 this summer.

Events will include cabaret, drag, classical music, jazz, contemporary music, theatre, dance and visual art, all on the doorstep of the few remaining parts of the Royal Dockyard, founded by Henry VIII in 1513.

This Is Local London:

Shipwright Artistic Director, Joseph Winters, introduces the summer festival: "Here's the big idea: audiences and performers alike come to the theatre, to gigs, to cabaret, in order to feel at home.

“It is with enormous excitement that we announce Shipwright's first summer festival: three weekends of entertainment in the heart of Deptford.

“We welcome theatrical world premieres, riotous nights of cabaret and some of the most acclaimed live musicians to delight audiences with a truly diverse programme of great nights out, with arts, food and drink all in one unique venue.

“Our outdoor space is like nowhere else: from their seats audiences can see and hear the Thames lapping against the auditorium's edge.”

Lunch and dinner will be served by local catering company, Klose & Soan, with a range of craft beers also from the area also on offer.

The venue will initially operate at 50% capacity with socially distanced audiences.

Each evening will be a mixture of Shipwright co-productions and company takeovers.

Current owners Willi Richards and Chris Majeika have made the Master Shipwright’s House a creative space for artists, performers, and audiences from around the globe.

Founded by Henry VIII in 1513, the King's Yard became one of the most important shipbuilding yards in the world before finally closing in 1869.

The Tudor house was rebuilt in 1708 for master shipwright Joseph Allin/

After the dockyards closed, the house was used by the superintendent of the Foreign Cattle Market that occupied the yards for a time.

It was bought and repaired by its current owners in 1998. It functions as home, cultural centre and location for film and photography.

Tickets are now on sale from www.theshipwright.co.uk starting from £10 and an 'Open Door' initiative in which hundreds of tickets will be offered for free to local residents.