Streatham, South London, UK info@streathamhilltheatre.org 020 3582 4912

Category: Campaign, News

Lambeth Local Plan Scoping Consultation

Lambeth has launched Round 1 of its Consultation on a new local plan, seeking feedback by 13th October 2026. There is a pop-up event at Streatham Library on 6th October 2026, and there is an online survey.

Unfortunately the section for Streatham (PDF) does not mention the potential of the listed heritage Streatham Hill Theatre to be a centre for arts, culture and entertainment as covered in the current Lambeth Local Plan and Lambeth’s Night Time Strategy. It does mention Streatham Space Project but doesn’t mention it is currently closed.

“Lambeth Council is preparing a new Lambeth Local Plan. It will help shape how the borough grows and changes over the next 10-15 years.

A Local Plan sets out how places across the borough should grow and change over time.

It provides a long-term vision for Lambeth’s future. It helps answer important questions about where development should take place, what kinds of places we want to create, and how growth can benefit local communities

We are beginning work on a new Lambeth Local Plan, which is expected to be adopted in 2029. At this early stage, we want to understand what matters most to the people who live, work, study and spend time in Lambeth, and how you would like to be involved as we develop the new Lambeth Local Plan. We are also seeking views on the Lambeth Character Study.

This Scoping Document explains the new Lambeth Local Plan process, the purpose of the Scoping Consultation, the themes we are seeking views on, and how your feedback will be used.”

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Category: Memories

Published: (Updated: ) by FoSHT-admin

Gyles Brandreth talks to Simon Callow 📺

Gyles Brandreth talks to Friends patron Simon Callow for his Rosebud podcast.

Extraordinary Grandmothers, Absent Parents & A Life In Theatre

Gyles says: “One of Britain’s best-loved and most talented actors for you today: Simon Callow. In this gem of a conversation, Gyles hears about Simon’s childhood in Streatham, where he was dazzled by his theatrical grandmother but had a more complicated relationship with his “odd” mother. His father left when he was small. Gyles hears about formative teachers, an early love of theatre and literature, and music. Simon also talks about university in Belfast, Michael Mac Liammoir, drama school and how writing to Laurence Olivier landed him a job at the National Theatre. This is a fabulous episode, one of the best. We know you’ll enjoy it – and our deep gratitude to Simon Callow for taking the time and trouble to record with us.”

We have other posts involving Simon on our website:

  • The Friends help Lambeth Archives celebrate Shakespeare with Simon Callow

    The Friends were pleased to be able to help Lambeth Archives celebrate the return of their original Shakespeare folios to the new Lambeth Archive premises in Brixton. The Archives have created an exhibition covering Shakespeare in Lambeth, including performances at Streatham Hill Theatre by Paul Robeson, Peggy Ashcroft, John Gielgud and Alec Guinness. Patron Simon…

  • Theatres fit for the future 📺

    Theatres Trust talks about its plans to support UK theatres, across four key themes: resilience, environmental sustainability, inclusion and placemaking. This video features our Patrons, Simon Callow and Samira Ahmed. SHARE LINK VIA XFacebookBlueSkyThreadsEmail

  • Pantomime at Streatham Hill Theatre

    Today is #PantoDay! Oh yes it is! The Streatham Hill Theatre had a long tradition of Christmas pantomimes, staging such well-known stories as Babes in the Wood, Dick Whittington and of course Sleeping Beauty. Going to a panto as a child with the family is often a first, formative experience of theatre. Wouldn’t it be…

  • Riverside Radio interview about Heritage at Risk listing 📻

    Elliot Turnbull hears from David Harvey, Renato Balsadonna and Simon Callow why the preservation of Streatham Hill theatre is of utmost importance. It’s been added to the National Heritage At Risk Register. SHARE LINK VIA XFacebookBlueSkyThreadsEmail

  • Happy 92nd Birthday – Memories of Streatham Hill Theatre 📺

    Today, 20th November 2021, is the 92nd birthday of Streatham Hill Theatre. The theatre opened in 1929, a few days late due to unfinished work – it had been due to open on the 18th – with the Cochrane Review “Wake up and Dream!“ In recognition of its over 90 years at the heart of…

  • Simon Callow talks about Streatham Hill Theatre 📺

    Simon Callow, well-known actor, writer and director, was born in Streatham and saw his first pantomime, starring Jimmy Edwards, at the Streatham Hill Theatre, aged 5. In this video interview (with subtitles) with photographer Stephanie Black, our Memories Project lead, he talks about his impressions from that visit, and about the theatre and its potential…

  • Streatham Hill Theatre added to the national Heritage At Risk Register

    Streatham Hill Theatre has been added to the national Heritage At Risk Register of most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost. Photo: From left to right: From The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre: Chair David Harvey, Patrons Baroness Floella Benjamin, DBE DL and Simon Callow CBE, and Lead Architect Armeet…

  • Announcing Nine Fabulous Patrons on the Theatre’s 91st Birthday

    The announcement on what would have been the theatre’s 91st birthday, is some welcome good news at a time when the industry is in crisis. The key points are: The campaign’s new Patrons are past and present Streatham or South London residents and join a long list of local business, members of the community, public…

  • Major leap forward in plans to save Streatham Hill Theatre as leading consultants announced and begin work on viability study

    The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre, supported by the Mayor of London, Lambeth Council and The Theatres Trust, and backed by a successful crowdfunding initiative, have started work with FEI, the successful bidders of a hard fought competitive tender to produce a Viability Study and Economic Impact Assessment on the historic building. This will deliver…

  • Calling all creatives!

    The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre’s campaign is calling on creative industry professionals to lend their support. When we worked to publicise the crowdfund earlier in the year, the Friends were fortunate enough to receive the backing of Simon Callow CBE, Catherine Russell, Lolita Chakrabarti, Lucie Shorthouse, Samira Ahmed, Sir Mark Rylance and Baroness Floella…

  • 90th Anniversary Celebration: 20th November 2019 📺

    To its centenary and beyond! 90 years to the day the theatre opened with “Wake Up and Dream“, ‘Streatham Stars’ Simon Callow and Catherine Russell joined us to celebrate, cut the cake and launch our crowd-funder for a viability study to examine its future for community use. Watch the video, with subtitles, below. Stars of stage and screen came together to wish…

  • Our Patron Simon Callow on Pantomime

    Our Patron Simon Callow on Pantomime

    As a six-year-old, Simon Callow first attended a pantomime at Streatham Hill Theatre. In this article from the Guardian newspaper in 2005 he talks about his experiences with pantomime since… https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2005/nov/30/theatre.pantoseason SHARE LINK VIA XFacebookBlueSkyThreadsEmail

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Ruach open house sign

Category: Heritage

Ruach Open Days for Open House Festival

Ruach City Church has organized a number of Open Day sessions for the Open House Festival 2026. Originally planned for 3 days, 15th to 17th September, they have had to cancel the Weds 16th slot.

We understand there is access to the auditorium only.

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Category: Heritage, News

Published: (Updated: ) by FoSHT-admin

Historic Plaque Stolen from Theatre

It was confirmed verbally by Ruach City Church that the historic foundation stone laying plaque has been stolen from the front of the theatre, having been there since 1928!

Issues with the plaque fixings have been reported several times but it seems that no action has been taken to secure this irreplaceable item on a listed building.

It is not clear if the theft has been reported to the police by the owners Ruach. It could well have been stolen for scrap so we hope that any scrap dealers who are offered it will report it to the police.

Foundation Stone Plaque
Have you seen this plaque – stolen July 2026?
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Category: Campaign, Event, General Meetings, News, Supporters

Notice of AGM 16th September 2026 at 8pm

The AGM replaces the scheduled Campaign Meeting on 9th September. A regular campaign update will follow the AGM. Please save the date, and register online via our Events page.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre will be held online at 8pm on Wednesday 16th September 2026 to transact the following business.

The meeting is open to all, however only voting Members may speak or vote. Others may speak at the discretion of the chairman. Identity and any conflicts of interest must be declared.

Online joining instructions will follow.

Agenda
1. Apologies and Declarations(a)

2. Minutes of last AGM held 9th October 2025(c)

            Matters arising and acceptance

3. Receive reports from Trustees(c)

4. Receive financial statements and report from the Treasurer(c)

5. Election of Trustees(c, d)

6. Other business of The Friends

By order of the Board of Trustees
Jon Harrison, Secretary

The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre CIO
Registered in England:
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Number CE024993
Registered Charity Number 1193643
Registered office: 1b Sunnyhill Road, London, SW16 2UG

Notes
(a) Any relevant affiliations or potential conflicts of interest must be declared.
If unable to attend, voting Members may appoint a proxy using the appointment form (c).
(b) The CIO Constitution is published here: http://resources.streathamhilltheatre.org/friends/The%20Friends%20of%20Streatham%20Hill%20Theatre%20CIO%20Constitution%20Amended%2006-09-2023.pdf
(c) Supporting documents and forms are published here: http://resources.streathamhilltheatre.org/friends
(d) One-third of elected Trustees must stand down, along with any Trustees appointed since the last AGM, but are all eligible for re-election. Voting Members may nominate candidates using the nomination form (c).

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Category: Event

Duke Ellington Concert

Streatham Choral and Brixton Chamber Orchestra present Duke Ellington Sacred Concert on 7th November 2026.

Streatham Choral open their 2026-27 season by joining forces with Brixton Chamber Orchestra for a performance of Duke Ellington’s spectacular Sacred Concert in the former Streatham Hill Theatre.

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Category: News

Published: (Updated: ) by FoSHT-admin

Theatre features in summer festivals

There are a couple of events coming up at the Streatham Hill Theatre which will also give you a chance to see inside this “sleeping beauty”.

The Streatham Free Film Festival is showing RESPECT, the extraordinary life story of Aretha Franklin on Friday 11th September at 8pm, entrance free:

“Step into the extraordinary life of the legendary Aretha Franklin with RESPECT, the acclaimed biographical film starring Jennifer Hudson.

“From singing in her father’s church choir to becoming the undisputed Queen of Soul, RESPECT celebrates Aretha’s remarkable journey of faith, courage, determination, and musical genius. Featuring unforgettable performances of her greatest hits, this inspiring film honours the woman behind the iconic voice and her lasting impact on music, culture, and the fight for equality.”

The Open House Festival includes a number of open day slots available to book run by Ruach at the theatre on 15th to 17th September, noting

“As part of the Open House Festival, Streatham Hill Theatre stands out as a significant example of London’s theatrical heritage. Built in 1928–29, it was the final theatre designed by renowned architect W. G. R. Sprague. Opening in 1929, the venue hosted theatre, opera, ballet and variety performances until 1962, with a temporary closure between 1944 and 1950 due to wartime bomb damage.”

Update: the Weds 16th slot has been cancelled by Ruach.

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Category: Heritage, News

Published: (Updated: ) by FoSHT-admin

Streatham Society article re Hugh Kingdon’s Infamous Past

Much lauded as the man instrumental in creating the Streatham Hill Theatre, Hugh Kingdon has an infamous past remained hidden until now:

See Tim Whitaker’s article here: https://www.streathamsociety.org.uk/news/hugh-kingdon

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Category: Heritage, News

Published: (Updated: ) by FoSHT-admin

Foundation Stone Plaque Missing

After we heard reports that the foundation stone laying plaque had gone missing from the theatre, we went to check and found that the plaque had indeed gone. This follows interference with the plaque fixings reported last year.

This has been reported to Ruach City Church and they have been asked if it has been removed for repair or had it been stolen for scrap? Key other stakeholders were also contacted as this is an irreplaceable heritage item and part of the listed building.

Update: as no reply had been received, Ruach were contacted again on 27th August.

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Category: News

Published: (Updated: ) by FoSHT-admin

Fire Brigade back at SHT (again)

We have heard that the Fire Brigade has once again been called to Streatham Hill Theatre. Three appliances were seen outside the theatre around 10pm on 22 July 2026. We have no further details at present.

A broken window in the foyer façade was also spotted next day but we do not know if this is connected.

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