The comedy Dear Charles opened at Streatham Hill Theatre on 6th December 1954. The plot synopsis suggests it's a precursor to Mamma Mia!

ICYMI: The Brixton Chamber Orchestra will stage a FREE concert at Streatham Hill Theatre on 19th December at 7pm as part of their 2025 Christmas Estates Tour. More information here - https://tinyurl.com/BCOatSHT

The wait continues - the change of use application for SHT is not on the agenda for the 9th December Lambeth Planning Meeting. However, this means you can still email the Council with your objections - information here: https://streathamhilltheatre.org/campaign

TOMORROW! Join us at our Campaign Meeting on 3rd December at 8:00pm. Register here - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/campaign-meeting-wednesday-3rd-december-2025

Solve your Christmas gift worries - and support our cause - with a copy of our history book or a set of our Christmas Cards (or both!). Visit our shop page here - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/support/shop

The Brixton Chamber Orchestra will stage a free concert at Streatham Hill Theatre on 19th December at 7pm as part of their 2025 Christmas Estates Tour. More information here - https://tinyurl.com/BCOatSHT

Join us at our next Campaign Meeting on 3rd December at 8:00pm. Register here - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/campaign-meeting-wednesday-3rd-december-2025

Is Life Worth Living? (also known as Drama At Inish) opened in Streatham on 27th November 1933. A traveling repertory troupe comes to a small village in Ireland and after a week or so of Ibsen, Chekhov, and Strindberg, the town is driven mad!

26th November 1956 saw the opening night of the musical comedy The Arcadians - the story of the idyllic Arcadians who wish to transform wicked London to a land of truth and simplicity - at Streatham Hill Theatre. This production featured local star Jack Stanford.

A musical comedy set in a boxing training camp, Hold Everything, opened in Streatham on 25th November 1929. Although largely forgotten these days, it was the first appearance of the classic song You're The Cream In My Coffee.

If you are not aware of the truly stunning interior of Streatham Hill Theatre, please take some time to enjoy this video and photo collection from urban exploration teams in 2023 - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/urban-explorers-visit-sht-📺

Solve your Christmas gift worries - and support our cause - with a copy of our history book or a set of our Christmas Cards (or both!). Visit our shop page here - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/support/shop

"On with the play" An enthusiastic review of the first night at Streatham Hill Theatre.

After builders worked through two all night shifts, Streatham Hill Theatre lit up for the first time with the lavish review Wake Up and Dream, featuring Jessie Matthews, on 20th November 1929.

This local newspaper report that the Streatham Hill Theatre would open on 18th November 1929 proved to be premature. The building was not finished and the curtain finally rose two days later.

The farce Oh, Daddy! opened at Streatham Hill Theatre on 17th November 1930.

After the curtain came down for the last time in June, the Streatham Hill Theatre reopened as a Bingo hall on 14th November 1962. Read more about the Mecca Bingo era here - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/memories-of-the-mecca-days-from-peter-gauci

Sir Henry Wood, who gave his name to the Promenade Concerts - commonly known as 'The Proms' - brought his Symphony Orchestra to Streatham Hill Theatre on 14th November 1932.

The agenda for the next Lambeth Planning meeting on 18th November does not cover the change of use application for Streatham Hill Theatre. However, you can still email your objection to the change - details on the process are here - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/campaign

We’ve had a donation of programmes from Gilbert and Sullivan operas performed in the 1930s. Thanks to Debbie Haughton who found them in her late mother’s belongings. If you have any programmes from Streatham Hill Theatre, we would love to hear from you!

Opening in Streatham on 8th November 1954 with a spectacular cast, Simon & Laura was an early satire on television, featuring a couple playing 'themselves' on screen.

The Battersea Society are unveiling a plaque remembering eccentric dancer Jack Stanford - aka The Dancing Fool - on 29th November. Details here - https://tinyurl.com/BattSocPlaque You can see Jill Stanford talking about her father here - https://tinyurl.com/JillSRemembers

The review of the change of use application was not on the agenda for the Planning Commitee meeting on 28th October, so the NEXT possible date is 18th November. However, you can still email Lambeth your comments - details on our Campaign Page: https://streathamhilltheatre.org/campaign

Today marks the start of Trustee's Week. We would like to thank our Trustees who volunteer their time, skills and enthusiasm to govern the activities of the charity. https://streathamhilltheatre.org/support/trustees

The Rape of the Belt, a comedy based on Greek mythology, opened at Streatham Hill Theatre on 3rd November 1958. One review of the play read "The characters are witty and ... the story is frothy and politely risque".

Ohhh...Oklahoma! The classic musical ran for a week at Streatham Hill Theatre from 2nd November 1953.

Sunday 1st November 1942 - A charity performance in aid of local fire services by the London Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Sir Henry Wood.

The review of the change of use application is not on the agenda for the Planning Commitee meeting on 28th October, so the NEXT possible date is 18th November. However, you can still email Lambeth your comments - details on our Campaign Page: https://streathamhilltheatre.org/campaign

An all star gala night on Sunday 27th October 1957 to raise funds for the Sir Philip Game Boys Club - which is still running today in Croydon as the Sir Philip Game Centre!

On 25th October 1954, a production of Guys And Dolls opened at Streatham Hill Theatre, featuring Sid James as good old reliable Nathan Detroit!

Look at that cast! The Importance Of Being Earnest opened at Streatham Hill Theatre on 23rd October 1939.

After a six month run at the West End's Princess Theatre, the touring show of A Touch Of The Sun came to Streatham Hill Theatre on 20th October 1958. The star was Brixton born Jean Kent.

The review of the change of use application is not on the agenda for the Planning Commitee meeting on 28th October, so the NEXT possible date is 18th November. However, you can still email Lambeth your comments - details on our Campaign Page: https://streathamhilltheatre.org/campaign

Live performance continued at the theatre during the Mecca Bingo period. Acts would entertain in between or after the bingo sessions - these included Roy Castle, The Nolans and, on 14th October 1971, the Sid Lawrence Orchestra giving their tribute to Glenn Miller.

ICYMI: The next potential date for the change of use application to be reviewed by Lambeth Planning is now 28th October. If you have not already done so, it is still possible to register your comments by email. Information on our Campaign Page - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/campaign

Twenty Minutes South, a breezy youth orientated musical about commuting, began a week long run at Streatham Hill Theatre on 10th October 1957.

No - it is not too early to be thinking about Christmas! Our history of Streatham Hill Theatre book and packs of pantomime cards are available here - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/support/shop

Thanks to the efforts of the Streatham Festival team and Streatham Theatre Company, there is an opportunity for guided tours of Streatham Hill Theatre next week! Tickets are FREE but very limited. More details on our website - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/streatham-festival-tour-of-the-theatre

THIS THURSDAY! The Annual General Meeting of The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre will be held at 8pm on 9th October. Full information here - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/notice-of-agm-9th-october-2025-at-8pm

UPDATE: The next potential date for the change of use application to be reviewed by Lambeth Planning is now 28th October. If you have not already done so, it is still possible to register your comments by email. Information on our Campaign Page - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/campaign

On 2nd October 1961, the Brian Rix produced farce Simple Spymen, about two street musicians mistakenly being employed a bodyguards, came to Streatham following a three year run at the Whitehall Theatre.

The Brendan Behan play The Quare Fellow came to Streatham Hill Theatre on 1st October 1956. Directed by Joan Littlewood, the cast featured Brian Murphy and, in his first stage role, Richard Harris.

In a transfer from The Ambassadors, the romantic comedy The Man in Possession, starring Iris Hoey, began a week long run at Streatham Hill Theatre on 29th September 1930.

We are very sorry to learn that the Crystal Palace Festival will not continue. Full story from News From Crystal Palace here -  https://newsfromcrystalpalace.wordpress.com/2025/09/22/thank-you-for-the-music-crystal-palace-festival-plays-its-last-note/

We believe that the Change of Use application for Streatham Hill Theatre will not be assessed by Lambeth until 7th October at the earliest - so there is still an opportunity to register your objection by e-mail! More details on our site - https://streathamhilltheatre.org

ICYMI: The Annual General Meeting of The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre will be held at 8pm on Thursday 9th October 2025. Full information on the AGM can be seen here - https://streathamhilltheatre.org/notice-of-agm-9th-october-2025-at-8pm

Prior to transferring to the West End, the comedy Watch It Sailor - a sequel to the hit show Sailor Beware - came to Streatham Hill on 21st September 1959. A 24 year old Wanda Ventham can be spotted in the cast list!

Before your very eyes! Arthur Askey was a regular pantomime dame at Streatham Hill Theatre but he also starred in his variety show there from 21st September 1942.

More local advertising - this time we have a look at places to eat on Streatham High Road in 1961.

These adverts from a 1954 Streatham Hill Theatre programme give a fascinating glimpse of the local area.