Save Streatham Hill Theatre for the community…
Streatham has a long history in theatre and entertainment and was known as “the West End of South London” – and due to the wealth of talent living in the area – as “The Beverly Hills of London”. Arts and cultural activity of all kinds continues in modern day Streatham.
90 years ago Evelyn Laye laid the foundation stone for the Streatham Hill Playhouse as it was originally to be known.
Streatham Hill Theatre (SHT) was opened in 1929. It was bombed in WW2 but was rebuilt and reopened in 1950. It is a significant (PDF) building due to its architecture, heritage and potential. During its time, many of the stars of the day, and many famous companies, appeared there.
It closed to theatre in 1962, becoming a bingo hall. Much of the original theatre and its equipment remain. Small scale theatre returned via Streatham Theatre Company from 2013 to 2016. Bingo ceased in 2017.
The theatre was granted a Grade 2 listing in 1994 as “an unusually lavish example of a theatre built in the short-lived revival of building in 1929-30; as a suburban example of this date the building may be unique”.
In 2018 the theatre was added to the Theatres Trust’s Theatres at Risk register, where it remains.
Also in 2018, Lambeth Council approved (PDF) our nomination (PDF) of Streatham Hill Theatre as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), confirmed (PDF) in early 2019 after a review requested (PDF) by the owners and our flashmob demonstration. This gives the community a chance to acquire the property should the owners want to sell.
The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre (FoSHT) would like to see the theatre returned to arts, culture and performance use to further the social well-being and social interest of the community. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity – and maybe the very last chance – to revive the Streatham Hill Theatre building for the benefit of the community.
The Friends have no access or control of the building, which is currently only partially in use, as a slot machine lounge by Praesepe plc who hold a sub-lease from head leaseholders Mecca, who are part of Rank Group plc – these leases expire in 2028. The freeholders are Poll Mount Ltd.
The building would make a great creative hub for Streatham’s art and cultural community and a base for developing artists and organisations. Where people can participate, meet and network…
Campaign overview presentation launched
On our YouTube channel we now have an illustrated presentation of our campaign to date, created by our creative supporters team. Find out more about the theatre, its history and heritage and our campaign to save it.
