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

Category: Heritage, Image, News

Published: (Updated: ) by FoSHT-admin

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.

The Churchills at SHT

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.

The Churchills and James Perry
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Category: Heritage, Image

Published: (Updated: ) by FoSHT-admin

Under the Sycamore Tree, 1952

There is a great model box in the V&A collection for this show which opened pre-west end at SHT in w/b 14 April 1952 – the catalogue states:

“Under the Sycamore Tree, a satirical play in three acts by Sam Spewack making comparisons between humans and ants. Oliver Messel’s production was first produced by H. M. Tennent Productions Ltd. at the Aldwych Theatre, London, 23 April 1952 (with initial prior performances at the Streatham Hill Theatre, London, 14 April 1952). It was directed by Peter Glenville and featured Alec Guinness as The Scientist and Diana Churchill as the Ant Queen.”

Set model by Oliver Messel for Sam Spewack’s ‘farcical fable’ Under the Sycamore Tree (Courtesy of V&A)
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Category: Heritage, Image

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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…

UK Revival Tour of Dracula (1951)
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Category: Anniversary, Heritage, Image, News

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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. 

1942-43 Cinderella
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Category: Anniversary, Heritage, Image, News

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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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Category: Heritage

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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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Category: Heritage

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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.

SHT D'Oyly Carte Programme 26 Feb to 11 Mar 1940
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Category: Heritage, Image, Memories

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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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Category: Heritage, News

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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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Category: Heritage, Image

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W. G. R. Sprague, theatre architect, dies

William George Robert Sprague, the renowned theatre architect, has died only four years after his last theatre opened. Sprague was the architect of Streatham Hill Theatre (along with W. H. Barton) which opened in November 1929.

Sprague lived for a while in nearby Herne Hill.

W G R Sprague’s former house in Herne Hill – 2 Warmington Road, SE24 9LA

Sprague was a prolific Theatre Architect working during the late 1800s and early 1900s and responsible for about forty buildings. There’s more about Sprague on the Arthur Lloyd website and WikiPedia.

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