Leonie Scott-Matthews, the theatrical impresario of Hampstead village
Oriel Place, Heath Street, The Moon at Night
Pentameters for over 50 years
A warming retreat, Godfreys’ haunt
Stories, tunes, plays, music, poetry
Secrets and lies, joys and treasures
From every age. Time begins again
And spreads through these narrow roads
Crooked steps, paths, snapshots
From tiny youth to aged discovery;
Across our world, passing by, passing on
From Hampstead, Spirit of Place © Christopher 2025
www.internationaltimes.it/hampstead-spirit-of-place/
Above: Dunking Doodles
Pentameters: © Leonie & Godfrey 2025
A love letter to capture the Art of Hampstead
For most of its lifetime from 1968, we have loved ascending the delightfully creaky staircase above the venue you all know as Pentameters. Sadly, the leaseholder and their lawyers don’t appear to share our vision and have served eviction notice. We are doing all we can to persuade them to allow more time.
Of course! the show must go on! – Theatres like Pentameters are the cornerstone of a community, bringing people together to be rewarded with inspiration and entertainment, as well as in the proven links between theatre and positive mental health. It is of course Leonie’s passion and not the premises that has made this happen, and that has showcased new talent, some of whom have turned into household names.
We will (of course) ‘move with the times’, but to preserve the legacy and take Pentameters forward, we need to raise funds. This is to manage the costs and tenancy issues, but also to enable us to bring forward new ways of working, in new venues and productions, whilst always maintaining our ethos of inclusivity, affordability for all and not for profit performances.
For those who can afford it, we have set up a crowdfunding appeal – this money is what we need to enable us to move and store all the props and artefacts that we all so love as part and parcel of the experience of Pentameters, to update the website and to pay for all the insurances and other fees in the new relationships we are building with other venues, where we will be enabling Moon at Night, and bringing new exciting productions soon.
SaveOurTheatres – Pentameters – Our Community
Crowdfunder: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/saveourtheatres-1
Aim: London’s oldest fringe theatre needs your support. Changes of premises, legal, energy, development cost are more than ticket sales can cover
The Situation
Pentameters Theatre is a non-profit making organisation and has relied solely on box office revenue to keep going. Sadly, it appears this may be insufficient to enable us to hold on to the tenancy at the Horseshoes Public House.
We are undeterred, and if we cannot maintain the premises, we will adapt so that we can continue to add to our rich history of nurturing Hampstead’s creative community, with new productions, to continue the cultural and community benefits of artistry, education and entertainment that has been the cornerstone of making Hampstead a vibrant and interesting place to visit, work and live in.
Currently, we estimate that we need around £8000 to challenge the issues, fund, removals and storage as well as all the various fees and administration involved. What is equally important, especially if there may be no income, is to retain enough funds to pay the bonds and guarantees needed for us to rent other premises on a production-by-production basis.
Pentameters – A love letter to capture the Art of Hampstead
For over 50 years, we have delighted in ascending the wonderfully creaky staircase above the place you all know as Pentameters. This has been a big part of our rich history, of providing inclusive, low cost, authentic experiences for everyone.
It is of course Pentameters, and not the premises, that is the heart of this rich history, and which has made a cultural legacy that is worth fighting for. We want to add new productions to the long list in Pentameters history, which includes for example; Ted Hughes, Dannie Abse, Ivor Cutler, Roger McGough, Kingsley Amis, Rosemary Tonks, Edna O’Brien, and Harold Pinter as just some of the amazing artists who work Pentameters have brought to the stage.
Pentameters showcases talent, some of whom have turned into household names, including Rik Mayall, Ben Elton, French and Saunders, a legacy that continues to attract scouts, and celebrity interest – including for example a recent impromptu performance with Nigel Kennedy (the world’s leading violin virtuoso). Pentameters has a lasting legacy and for example the celebrated producer Sonia Friedman credits her time working at Pentameters as inspiring her to a fantastic career in theatre.
Matthews BEM, has created the oldest, longest running and respected creative productions. Through Léonie’s energy and passion, Pentameters has put on hundreds of professional shows from Shakespeare, classic revivals and new plays to alternative comedy, music and poetry events.
Of course!, the show must go on!
About Save Our Theatres
Theatre is the cornerstone of a community, bringing people together to be rewarded with inspiration and entertainment and providing the opportunity for actors, musicians, poets and performers learn their craft. There are proven links between theatre and positive mental health, as well as creating a sense of belonging.
We are determined to build on this!
Our innovative approach to productions and performance has to meet its costs – we are proud to have been independent, we are not funded by grants, but despite this we ensure affordability for all, and the our not for profit ethos is a critical aspect of our culture. We want to go forward with confidence and energy, and to continue to bring the joy and love so many of us have experienced.
With your help, we can continue ‘Moon at Night’ and begin to bring forward our plans for new productions. We already have great opportunities in excellent, accessible perfomance spaces nearby.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/saveourtheatres-1
Please help us to do this if you can – and in any case, we hope to see you soon, and share some more of the traditional and new talent that only the ‘Pentameters’ of this world can provide.
With very best wishes Leonie and the Pentameters team
Pentameters: © Leonie & Godfrey 2025
UPDATE 20th July 2025
Evicted date Friday 18th July.
Camden Council owns the whole building. Documents show that the headlease from Camden Council to Urban Inns expires 10 December 2026. I cannot imagine that Urban Inns, having evicted Pentameters, would even consider repairs & refurbishment of £50,000 + to run their own theatre, when they have to negotiate a new lease with Camden within 16 months.
Camden have supported the Hampstead Theatre with £millions.
Pentameters has had virtually no Camden Council support over the last 55 years, failing in their duty of care to the community.
,
This is a great shame.A theatre such as Pentameters has been part and parcel of the fabric of Hampstead for many years and it’s
Absence is a loss for all.It has been a cultural hub that exemplifies the collective creativity of not just local creatives, but creatives and audience from all over the country.
Such venues are not so common and cannot be constructed over a few months like a fast food takeaway…
Comment by Steve Lyons on 31 July, 2025 at 4:42 amThey come into being organically having been fed by the creative juices of widely bohemian delightfully
Daring couple Leoni and Godfrey.We shall miss them…