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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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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.
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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The Bioscope “MORTGAGES AND CHARGES” section in 1931 notes that Streatham Hill Playhouse Ltd raised extra funds.
STREATHAM HILL PLAYHOUSES (sic). LTD.—Registered January 30th, £30,000 (not ex.), 2nd debenture to Branch Nominees, Ltd., as trustees for National Provincial Bank, Ltd. ; general, charge (subject, etc.). *£100,000. April 29 1930.
12th August 1931 Edition
Streatham Hill Playhouse, Ltd.—Registered June 25th, £50,000 second debenture, to Branch Nonimees (sic), Ltd.. 15, Bishopsgate, E.C. ; charged on land at Streatham Hill, also charge. *£100,000. April 29, 1930.
* Amount of debt according to last available return.
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The Streatham Hill Theatre was due to open, offering “West End shows at provincial prices”, on Monday 18th November 1929, but wasn’t quite ready.
It was ready enough to open on the Wednesday, 20th November 1929, with the C. B. Cochran revue Wake up and Dream.
A lavish programme was published telling the story of the theatre and its features. The Stage newspaper covered the opening in its 21st November edition, saying that “The Theatre on Streatham Hill provides south side suburbs with a playhouse of which they can be justly proud.“
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The new Streatham Hill Playhouse will open on November 11, when the company now playing “Hold Everything” at the Palace Theatre will supply the opening attraction. The Stage 7/11/1929.
As it happens opening was delayed due to incomplete work until 20th November 1929.
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On 1 October 1929 the Locarno Dance Hall opened in Streatham, just down the hill from the new Streatham Hill Theatre which was preparing its own opening in November 1929.
Opened by band leader Billy Cotton, it was a glittering occasion attended by over 1,500 dancers.
It operated under several different names, closing in 2004, and ultimately being demolished as part of the London Square redevelopment of the site.
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Streatham Hill Playhouse Share Application Form:
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On 11th September 1928 a new company, Streatham Hill Playhouse Ltd, was registered.
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Over 90 years ago local resident and international celebrity of stage and screen, Evelyn Laye laid the foundation stone for the Streatham Hill Playhouse as it was originally to be known.
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The Norwood News of 31 August 1928 featured plans for the new Streatham Hill Theatre as part of a larger development to include a cinema and palais de danse. See the front page here, with thanks to Streatham Society.
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