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Roy Hudd makes professional debut at Streatham Hill
At a Grand Concert in aid of the Sir Philip Game Boys’ Club, Roy Hudd made his professional debut, alongside a host of our famous names, and compered by Bruce Forsyth.
Save Streatham Hill Theatre for the community
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Moscow State Variety Theatre perform
On the 5th July 1957 the Moscow State Variety Theatre performed at the Streatham Hill Theatre. More information courtesy of Streatham Society:
https://www.streathamsociety.org.uk/blog/moscow-state-theatre-at-streatham-hill-theatre
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Prime Minister Winston Churchill drops in for a show!
On 18th August 1952, Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister, made a surprise visit to the Theatre to see D’Oyly Carte’s The Yeomen of the Guard. Despite the secrecy, the stationing of two policemen outside soon aroused curiosity and there was a crowd waiting as first Christopher Soames arrived, and then Mr and Mrs Churchill.
They were greeted by James Perry and Frederic Lloyd, the general manager of the D’Oyly Carte Company. The party’s seats were in the front stalls, and as they entered the audience rose and clapped. In the interval they went to the Theatre Board Room where they were entertained. They signed the Theatre autograph book which also contained signatures of many famous stars.
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Bela Lugosi appears as Dracula
In 1951, Bela Lugosi took part in a UK revival tour of Dracula, performing at Streatham Hill Theatre from 21st to 26th May. Probably most famous for his title role in the 1931 film, he also performed the role on stage in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
The Bela Lugosi Blog covers the tour, and his career, in more detail…
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Repaired theatre reopens: 23rd December 1950
Repairs after the bomb damage from 1944 were delayed as homes took priority for rebuilding. The theatre was rebuilt with a few changes from the original plans.
The Streatham Hill Theatre eventually reopened on Boxing Day 1950 with the pantomime “Cinderella”, a re-staging of the 1942-43 production.
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Serious Bomb Damage: 3rd July 1944
At 6.30am on the morning of Monday 3rd July 1944 a flying bomb destroyed the side wall of the theatre.
Sleeping inside the theatre was an air-raid warden and his family on fire-watch duty. The bomb blew a gaping hole 60ft in diameter, damaging much of the interior and both sides of the proscenium arch. The only fatality was the warden’s mother-in-law. The extent of the damage was such that the theatre was closed for many years to come.
You can see aerial photos of the damage in this post from 2022.
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Streatham Hill Playhouse Ltd Wound-up
According to the National Archives, in 1942 the company which originally built Streatham Hill Theatre was wound-up.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=%22streatham+hill+playhouse%22
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D’Oyly Carte Programme in Spring 1940
In weeks beginning 26th February, and 4th and 11th March 1940, the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company presented a repertory programme of Gilbert and Sullivan operas: The Yeoman of the Guard, The Mikado, The Gondoliers, The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, Cox and Box, HMS Pinafore, and Trial by Jury.
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First appearances in London since war began
Flyer for ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ at the Streatham Hill Theatre from 23rd October 1939, annotated by Lucy Awdry: ‘All Star Cast, their first appearance in London since war began’.
In September 1939 all cinemas and theatres had closed down, although within a month or so some were opening up again beyond the West End, as Mrs Awdry also noted in her diary: ‘the stars are now acting in the suburbs‘.
From a series of albums containing newspaper and magazine clippings, assorted ephemera and a diary, kept by Mrs Lucy Awdry of 14 Franconia Road, Clapham, for the duration of World War II and recording wartime life in London. During the war Mrs Awdry volunteered with the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) assisting with fire watch duties, and also at the Clapham War Savings Centre.
From the Lambeth Archive.
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Theatre closes due to Declaration of War
In the week beginning 4th September 1939 the theatre closed due to the declaration of war with Germany the day before. The government ordered all places of entertainment to be closed due to fear of bombing.
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