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In this interview with photographer Stephanie Black , our Memories Project lead, Sir Tom Courtenay talks about his life as an actor, including his role in Billy Liar, the play, at Streatham Hill Theatre, which was subsequently turned into a film in which he starred. There is a transcript (PDF) available.
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In the last few weeks we have seen interest in the theatre by a development company, and have now heard of its sale to an new freeholder. Here’s a summary of what we know about the situation so far…
Behind the scenes and under a cloak of confidentiality, the Friends had been delighted to learn of the plans of a theatre company to buy the freehold and turn the building back into a working theatre and community hub. Their ambitions, both short and long term, for the site appeared to be extremely exciting and they had the backing of various stakeholders such as Theatres Trust, Historic England and Lambeth Council. They had been in negotiations with the theatre’s owners for some months and we were told they had made what they described as a generous offer for the freehold.
However, we have now been informed that their offer was turned down, and that the freeholder has now sold the building to new owners. Unfortunately, as the freehold has been sold with a tenant in situ, the Asset of Community Value opportunity to bid doesn’t come into play.
After writing to the various parties involved, we quickly heard verbally from one of the new owners. They are a group of individuals who have purchased the freehold as a medium to long term investment. He’s already opened a conversation with the theatre company bidder and is willing to talk to the Friends too. This contrasts greatly with the lack of communications from the previous freeholder!
The theatre company bidders aren’t giving up. They’re still up for either purchasing the freehold from the new owners or negotiating a decent lease with them.
Be assured that the Friends will continue to follow developments closely, and do everything we can to preserve this precious heritage building and see it returned as a fully working arts, culture and community hub for South London. We continue to work with Lambeth, Theatres Trust and Historic England, GLA and others. We are always in need of more help with the campaign, and these are clearly uncertain times for us, so please join or support our hardworking team of volunteers. If you have communication, legal, campaigning or any other skills and experience that you think might help us, please email us.
Back in 1970, Eric Morley, head of Mecca and founder of Miss World, called Streatham Hill “the greatest entertainment centre in Britain”.
At that time there was:
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We are sad to hear that the Crown & Sceptre pub, a short way up Streatham Hill from the Theatre is at risk after a closure date of 22 May 2022 was announced.
The pub has contributed to Streatham’s creative scene over many years, including:
Hopefully the pub won’t be lost!
Update: the pub has reopened!
Sir Norman Bishop Hartnell, KCVO (12 June 1901 – 8 June 1979) was a leading British fashion designer, best known for his work for the ladies of the Royal Family. Hartnell gained the Royal Warrant as Dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1940; and Royal Warrant as Dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II in 1957.
Born to an upwardly mobile family in Streatham, in southwest London, his parents were then publicans and owners of the prophetically named Crown & Sceptre, at the top of Streatham Hill.
Hartnell’s early interest lay in performing in, and designing for, productions at Cambridge University, and first came to fashion after designing for the university’s Footlights performances whilst an undergraduate. In 1923, Hartnell opened his own business at 10 Bruton Street, Mayfair [Wikipedia].
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Our lead architect, Armeet Panesar, has prepared a vision to create a zero carbon multi purpose arts and cultural centre at Streatham Hill Theatre.
The programme from the theatre’s opening show in 1929 is now available online as a PDF, with thanks to a supporter who lent us an original copy to scan. It joins the collection of programmes in our archive.
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Stay Free, the 1978 song by The Clash (JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON), makes a couple of references to Streatham when it was still a centre of entertainment in the late 70’s.
An’ weekends we’d go dancing
Down Streatham on the bus
It also contains the lines (referring to the Crown & Sceptre pub)
I practised daily in my room
You were down the Crown
Planning your next move
And if you’re in the Crown tonight have a drink on me
The Historic England Archive allows you to explore over 400,000 digitised photos taken from aerial photo collections of over 6 million photographs. Here are some showing Streatham Hill Theatre, with many being RAF survey photos showing WW2 bomb damage – you can see the big hole in the theatre and the recovered roof beam on open ground nearby.
Our archives are now recorded on the Community Archives at the group’s website.
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