South London Theatre

The South London Theatre is a community theatre housed in a Grade II listed[1] former fire station, in West Norwood in the London Borough of Lambeth, England. The first play opened in October 1967,[2] and it is now a busy theatrical venue, presenting more than 22 shows annually in its theatre space, which was remodelled during refurbishment of the Old Fire Station during the period 2015–2018. The theatre facilities also consist of two dedicated rehearsal spaces, an entire floor of wardrobe rooms[3] and a private basement bar, open Sunday to Friday evenings to audiences and members and which plays host to regular social events.

South London Theatre
Former namesSouth London Theatre Centre
Address2A Norwood High Street
London, SE27
United Kingdom
Coordinates51.431915°N 0.103191°W / 51.431915; -0.103191
Public transitNational Rail West Norwood
TypeCommunity theatre
Capacity75–104 depending on configuration
Construction
Opened1967 (1967)
Rebuilt2016–2018
Years active1967 to present
ArchitectOwen Luder
Website
http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameWest Norwood Fire Station
Designated25 January 2006
Reference no.1392336
The South London Theatre

The adult theatre group welcomes both Full Members (participatory) and Friends of SLT (audience supporters) and stages productions across genres, including Shakespeare, theatrical classics, comedy, pantomime, musicals and modern cutting-edge drama. New writing is particularly encouraged, as are aspiring directors. All involvement at the theatre is on a volunteer basis with support and basic training provided as required.

Additionally, there is an active youth group[4] (known as the "SLT Youth Theatre") offering classes for young people aged 7–18yrs, on Saturdays during term time. The youth have their own showcases and are also encouraged to participate in the productions of the adult group.

The South London Theatre is a member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain.[5]

Theatre building

The Gothic revival style former fire station was probably designed by the architect Robert Pearsall[6] at the Metropolitan Board of Works Architect's Department and was built in 1881. It remains a rare example of a fire station built for horse-drawn tenders which still has the look-out tower and original doors in place. Its history as a fire station was short however, as motorised fire appliances, introduced in the early 20th century were too big for its doors, which could not be practicably extended, and the fire station ceased to function as such in 1917. Between 1917 and 1967, the building was used mainly as a church hall for the neighbouring St Luke's Church.

The original design for the conversion to a theatre was by Owen Luder[7] (later to become President of the Royal Institute of British Architects on two occasions). The original theatre was traditional proscenium arch in style, with a fly loft requiring the removal of a floor in part of the first storey. The auditorium had raked seating with a capacity of just under 100. The space was known as Bell Theatre.

In February 1975 a small studio theatre was added in a single storey extension at the South end of the building for "productions which would not fit into the usual theatre pattern."[8] This space was known as Prompt Corner.

Following refurbishment, the theatre now has one large theatre space and several rooms which are available to hire, when not in use by the community group. South London Theatre participates each September in Open House London[9] in order to open to the public for tours.

South London Theatre (Prior to refurbishment)

Refurbishment

Funds including a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant were secured in 2014 to refurbish the building,[10] making it fully accessible and restoring much of the Victorian character; opening its original main front doors for the first time in 100 years. These doors had been boarded and secured in the Owen Luder design, forming the rear boundary to the Bell Theatre stage space.

Whilst the building was significantly remodelled, the community theatre relocated to Stanley Halls in South Norwood and Youth Group performances were staged in St Luke's Church next door.

In April 2018, the first production was staged in the new and enlarged black box theatre, as the South London Theatre community was returned to West Norwood and the building reopened.

During refurbishment, the theatre spaces were combined and reworked to create the new theatre space and a generous foyer. The fly loft was closed over to reform the floor on the first storey, the earlier single storey extension housing Prompt Corner was demolished, and a four-storey extension added in its footprint, to accommodate part of the new theatre space, along with the technical gallery, props store, toilet facilities and a second staircase to all floors. A lift shaft was also added to the rear of the building. All spaces were then sensitively restored and redecorated, with rooms on the fourth floor named Prompt and Bell in recognition of the former performance spaces. Other rooms have been named The Watch Room and The Kit Room in recognition of their former functions and the building's fire station heritage.

Patrons

Current

References
  1. Historic England (25 January 2006). "West Norwood Fire Station (1392336)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  2. "SLT History – sltarchive". sltarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  3. Fear, Bryon (8 December 2015). "Costume Hire". South London Theatre. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  4. Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain". Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  6. "London's Oldest Operational Fire Station". e-shootershill.co.uk. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  7. South London Theatre Archived 6 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine. The Theatres Trust. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  8. "Prompt Corner – sltarchive". sltarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  9. Open House Archived 6 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Londonopenhouse.org (19 September 2010). Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  10. "Starring role for Victorian fire station as it secures HLF funding | The National Lottery Heritage Fund". www.heritagefund.org.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  11. News. southlondontheatre.co.uk (12 July 2013). Retrieved 23 October 2013.
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