Save Streatham Hill Theatre from change of use to a church
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Streatham moves from Wandsworth to Lambeth
As part of local government reorganisation on 1st April 1965, The London Borough of Wandsworth was formed from the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea and the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth, but excluding the former parish of Clapham and most of the former parish of Streatham, which were transferred to make up the London Borough of Lambeth, along with the former Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth.
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Mecca takes on lease of Streatham Hill Theatre
On 20th December 1962 Mecca signed a lease for the building.
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Britain’s biggest bingo hall opens: 14th November 1962
Mecca had acquired the building in 1962 and on Wednesday 14th November 1962, the Streatham Hill Theatre opened its doors again as the biggest bingo casino in the country. Despite heavy rain around 2000 came to attend the first session.
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The Final Curtain for theatre: 9th June 1962
When the curtain fell for the Saturday evening performance of ‘The Rehearsal‘ it would turn out to be the final curtain. The theatre remained dark through the summer of 1962.
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Desmond Carrington in Doctor in the House 1962
Bromley-born broadcaster, radio producer and actor, Desmond Carrington (23 May 1926 – 1 February 2017) performed in ‘Doctor in the House’ in the week beginning 16 April 1962, only a few months before the SHT closed as a theatre.
From the radio blog obituary to him: Random radio jottings, Thursday 2 February 2017, Radio Lives – Desmond Carrington…
“Ironically it was Desmond’s TV fame that led to his future career as a disc jockey. In 1962 he was invited to compere Housewives’ Choice for a fortnight whilst he was still appearing as Dr Anderson [emergency medicine consultant in ATV’s Emergency Ward 10 long running TV series] and, as the Radio Times billing adds, also appearing on stage in Doctor in the House at Streatham Hill Theatre.”
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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.
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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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Laurence Olivier Productions present Meet a Body
This production of the play Meet a Body (by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder) by Laurence Olivier Productions Ltd, starring Patrick Cargill, opened at Streatham Hill Theatre, London 12th – 17th July 1954 and transferred to Duke of York’s Theatre, London 21st July – 4th September 1954.
This play was a revised version of THE BODY WAS WELL NOURISHED, and was later filmed as THE GREEN MAN.
Details at Theatricalia.
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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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