South London Theatre
Encyclopedia
The South London Theatre is a Community theatre
in West Norwood
in the London Borough of Lambeth
, England
. The first play opened in October 1967, and it is now a busy theatrical
venue, presenting more than 22 shows annually in two auditoria: the 100-seater proscenium arch "Bell Theatre" and a smaller "black box theatre
" called "Prompt Corner
", it also has a private basement
bar open 364 nights a year which is host to regular social events.
The plays produced include all genres: Shakespeare, comedy, classics, pantomime, musicals and modern cutting-edge drama. New writing is particularly encouraged, as are aspiring directors. There are plenty of available roles behind scenes and help and encouragement is given to new members.
There is a very active youth group (known as the "South London Youth Theatre") as well as children's classes. The children have their own showcases and are also encouraged to participate in the main productions.
The South London Theatre is a member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain
..
, built in 1881. It retains much of that original character, for example it is the only fire Station for horse-drawn tenders which still has the look-out tower and doors still in place. The building should always retain its historic features as the frontage of the building is Grade II listed. It had a short history as a fire station as it was built for horse-drawn fire engines and the new motorised appliances were too big for the doors, which could not be extended. The area behind these doors, where the appliances and horses were kept, is now the Bell Theatre
stage. Between its life as a fire station and its current as a theatre, the building was used a hall for the local church and also as an illegal boxing venue.
The design for the conversion to a theatre was by Owen Luder
(later to become President of the Royal Institute of British Architects
on two occasions and a well-known Dulwich
personality), the original design for the building was probably designed by Richard Pearsall, in the Metropolitan Board of Works Architect's Department.
Like all old buildings, the theatre requires a lot of maintenance and a renovation is planned which should make the building fully accessible and able to accept performances from external theatre companies.
For those interested at simply looking around the building, it does tours for a weekend in September as part of Open House London
.
Community theatre
Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community...
in West Norwood
West Norwood
West Norwood is a place in the London Borough of Lambeth.It is primarily a residential suburb of south London but with some light industry near Knights Hill in the south....
in the London Borough of Lambeth
London Borough of Lambeth
The London Borough of Lambeth is a London borough in south London, England and forms part of Inner London. The local authority is Lambeth London Borough Council.-Origins:...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The first play opened in October 1967, and it is now a busy theatrical
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
venue, presenting more than 22 shows annually in two auditoria: the 100-seater proscenium arch "Bell Theatre" and a smaller "black box theatre
Black box theater
The black box theater is a relatively recent innovation, consisting of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor.-History:...
" called "Prompt Corner
Prompt corner
The prompt corner or prompt box in a theatre is the location at the side of the stage where the prompt is located in order to coordinate the performance and prompt the performers when required.-Location:Historically, the prompt corner was situated on the left side of the stage, therefore Prompt...
", it also has a private basement
Basement
__FORCETOC__A basement is one or more floors of a building that are either completely or partially below the ground floor. Basements are typically used as a utility space for a building where such items as the furnace, water heater, breaker panel or fuse box, car park, and air-conditioning system...
bar open 364 nights a year which is host to regular social events.
The plays produced include all genres: Shakespeare, comedy, classics, pantomime, musicals and modern cutting-edge drama. New writing is particularly encouraged, as are aspiring directors. There are plenty of available roles behind scenes and help and encouragement is given to new members.
There is a very active youth group (known as the "South London Youth Theatre") as well as children's classes. The children have their own showcases and are also encouraged to participate in the main productions.
The South London Theatre is a member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain
Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain
The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain is an Umbrella organisation promoting and supporting independent amateur theatre companies which have control over their own premises and produce drama of a high quality for the benefit of their communities...
..
Building
The Gothic revival style building was originally a fire stationFire station
A fire station is a structure or other area set aside for storage of firefighting apparatus , personal protective equipment, fire hose, fire extinguishers, and other fire extinguishing equipment...
, built in 1881. It retains much of that original character, for example it is the only fire Station for horse-drawn tenders which still has the look-out tower and doors still in place. The building should always retain its historic features as the frontage of the building is Grade II listed. It had a short history as a fire station as it was built for horse-drawn fire engines and the new motorised appliances were too big for the doors, which could not be extended. The area behind these doors, where the appliances and horses were kept, is now the Bell Theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
stage. Between its life as a fire station and its current as a theatre, the building was used a hall for the local church and also as an illegal boxing venue.
The design for the conversion to a theatre was by Owen Luder
Owen Luder
Owen Luder, CBE is a British architect who designed a number of notable and sometimes controversial buildings in the United Kingdom in the 1960s and 1970s...
(later to become President of the Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
on two occasions and a well-known Dulwich
Dulwich
Dulwich is an area of South London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth...
personality), the original design for the building was probably designed by Richard Pearsall, in the Metropolitan Board of Works Architect's Department.
Like all old buildings, the theatre requires a lot of maintenance and a renovation is planned which should make the building fully accessible and able to accept performances from external theatre companies.
For those interested at simply looking around the building, it does tours for a weekend in September as part of Open House London
Open House London
Open House London is an organisation which promotes appreciation of architecture by the general public. It organises tours, lectures, educational projects for children and so on, but it is best known for Open House Weekend, a two-day event which takes place on one weekend each September throughout...
.
See also
- Home page of the South London Theatre.
- Archive wiki of the South London Theatre.
- AITA/IATA - International Amateur Theatre Association
- South London Theatre at The Theatres trust