Streatham Hill Theatre opened in November 1929. It was the last theatre designed by William George Robert Sprague, the architect responsible for many of the West End's most notable theatres. In 1941 it was hit by a V1 flying bomb but was reconstructed closely to the original design in 1950. During its time, many of the biggest stars of the day appeared there. In 1962 it closed as a theatre and became a bingo hall. However, much of the original theatre and its equipment remain.
The theatre was granted a Grade 2 listing in 1994 as “an unusually lavish example of a theatre built in the short-lived revival of building in 1929-30; as a suburban example of this date the building may be unique”.
Praesepe plc (now named Merkur Casino UK) who held a sub-lease on the building, closed its Beacon Bingo operation in the main auditorium in January 2017. It still operates a Cashino slot-machine lounge out of the rear of the stalls however. A theatre company were in discussion with the building’s owner regarding purchasing the property but in May 2022 it was reported that the theatre had been sold to another buyer – a property development company. Despite efforts by 'The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre' campaign group to discuss options on the theatre, the building was then sold on to a church group - the Rauch City Church, who will need to apply for planning permission for a change of use for public worship or religious instruction.
Cheers to @Seffy for making an impromptu trip to London at short notice to keep me company. Shout out to @Speed for the lead. I live just down the road and had no idea it had closed, let alone in 2017! Also massive props to @mockney reject for leaving a cheeky door open, and giving us a heads up. Much appreciated. Unfortunately the door wasn't open when I last checked which is a shame as I would have quite liked a few more hours in there! Apparently the original wooden stage machinery is still in situ, together with the counterweight flying and three-part forestage orchestra lifts. The only thing it doesn't have is a projection room, but the rest more than makes up for that. Enjoy....
The theatre was granted a Grade 2 listing in 1994 as “an unusually lavish example of a theatre built in the short-lived revival of building in 1929-30; as a suburban example of this date the building may be unique”.
Praesepe plc (now named Merkur Casino UK) who held a sub-lease on the building, closed its Beacon Bingo operation in the main auditorium in January 2017. It still operates a Cashino slot-machine lounge out of the rear of the stalls however. A theatre company were in discussion with the building’s owner regarding purchasing the property but in May 2022 it was reported that the theatre had been sold to another buyer – a property development company. Despite efforts by 'The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre' campaign group to discuss options on the theatre, the building was then sold on to a church group - the Rauch City Church, who will need to apply for planning permission for a change of use for public worship or religious instruction.
Cheers to @Seffy for making an impromptu trip to London at short notice to keep me company. Shout out to @Speed for the lead. I live just down the road and had no idea it had closed, let alone in 2017! Also massive props to @mockney reject for leaving a cheeky door open, and giving us a heads up. Much appreciated. Unfortunately the door wasn't open when I last checked which is a shame as I would have quite liked a few more hours in there! Apparently the original wooden stage machinery is still in situ, together with the counterweight flying and three-part forestage orchestra lifts. The only thing it doesn't have is a projection room, but the rest more than makes up for that. Enjoy....
EDIT: since June 2024 the theatre has been brought back into use by Ruach City Church.
The foyer is stunning. This was the only decent shot I got at night due to the lights constantly changing colour outside the front so I went back the following morning to capture it with natural light coming in.
You can see some serious decay taking place in the right hand corner of the foyer here. Sad to see.
On the left side of the foyer is the entrance to the casino. At night they have security stationed behind the door so it feels as if they are in the room with you.
Directly above the foyer is this grand bar. Difficult to shoot at night as well so I grabbed some daytime shots.
How it looked at night when the lights weren't blue, green or purple outside.
From the bar you can access the balcony which overlooks the high street.
There was flooding at the bottom of these stairs and we weren't wearing appropriate footwear so had to turn back.
Turns out we missed a nice bar hidden down there. Pic courtesy of @mockney reject
The foyer is stunning. This was the only decent shot I got at night due to the lights constantly changing colour outside the front so I went back the following morning to capture it with natural light coming in.
You can see some serious decay taking place in the right hand corner of the foyer here. Sad to see.
On the left side of the foyer is the entrance to the casino. At night they have security stationed behind the door so it feels as if they are in the room with you.
Directly above the foyer is this grand bar. Difficult to shoot at night as well so I grabbed some daytime shots.
How it looked at night when the lights weren't blue, green or purple outside.
From the bar you can access the balcony which overlooks the high street.
There was flooding at the bottom of these stairs and we weren't wearing appropriate footwear so had to turn back.
Turns out we missed a nice bar hidden down there. Pic courtesy of @mockney reject
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