View source for South London Theatre

{{Short description|Theatre in West Norwood, London, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox Theatre
|name           = South London Theatre
|image          = South London Theatre 118125.jpg
|image_caption  = The theatre in 2011
|address        = 2A Norwood High Street
|city           = London, {{postcode|SE|27}}<br />United Kingdom
|designation    =
|coordinates    = {{coord|51.431915|-0.103191|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|architect      = [[Owen Luder]]
|owner          =
|capacity       = 75–104 depending on configuration
|type           = [[Community theatre]]
|opened         = {{Start date and age|df=y|1967}}
|yearsactive    =1967 to present
|rebuilt        =2016–2018
|closed         =
|othernames     =
|production     =
|currentuse     =
|publictransit = {{rail-interchange|gb|Rail}} {{rws|West Norwood}}
|website        = http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk
|former names=South London Theatre Centre
|embedded={{Infobox designation list
| embed=yes
| designation1 = Grade II 
| designation1_date =  25 January 2006
| designation1_number = 1392336
| designation1_offname= West Norwood Fire Station
}}
}}
The '''South London Theatre''' is a [[community theatre]] housed in a [[Listed building|Grade II listed]]<ref name=NHLE>{{NHLE|num=1392336|desc=West Norwood Fire Station|date = 25 January 2006|access-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> former [[fire station]], in [[West Norwood]] in the [[London Borough of Lambeth]], England.  The first play opened in October 1967,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sltarchive.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=SLT_History|title=SLT History – sltarchive|website=sltarchive.co.uk|access-date=26 July 2019}}</ref> and it is now a busy [[theatre|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<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/costume-hire/|title=Costume Hire|last=Fear|first=Bryon|date=8 December 2015|website=South London Theatre|access-date=26 July 2019}}</ref> and a private [[basement]] bar, open Sunday to Friday evenings to audiences and members and which plays host to regular social events.

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<ref>[http://www.nayt.org.uk/youngpeople/youth-theatres/theatres/greater-london/lambeth/south-london-theatre] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928100226/http://www.nayt.org.uk/youngpeople/youth-theatres/theatres/greater-london/lambeth/south-london-theatre |date=28 September 2011 }}</ref> (known as the "SLT Youth Theatre") offering classes for young people aged 7–18yrs, on Saturdays during [[Academic term|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]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.littletheatreguild.org//cgi-bin/PHPTest/LTGTheatreShow.php?theatreid=20 |title=Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain |access-date=20 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620092332/http://www.littletheatreguild.org/cgi-bin/PHPTest/LTGTheatreShow.php?theatreid=20 |archive-date=2008-06-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Theatre building==
The [[Gothic Revival]] style former fire station was probably designed by the architect [[Robert Pearsall (architect)|Robert Pearsall]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://e-shootershill.co.uk/closure-threat-for-londons-oldest-operational-fire-station/|title=London's Oldest Operational Fire Station|work=e-shootershill.co.uk|access-date=23 December 2013}}</ref> 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, West Norwood|St Luke's Church]].

The original design for the conversion to a theatre was by [[Owen Luder]]<ref>[http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/3300-south-london-theatre South London Theatre] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106145208/http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/3300-south-london-theatre |date=6 January 2014 }}. The Theatres Trust. Retrieved 23 October 2013.</ref> (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 system|fly loft]] requiring the removal of a floor in part of the first storey. The auditorium had [[Rake (angle)|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."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sltarchive.co.uk//wiki/index.php?title=Prompt_Corner|title=Prompt Corner – sltarchive|website=sltarchive.co.uk|access-date=26 July 2019}}</ref> 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]]<ref>[http://www.londonopenhouse.org/public/london/event.html Open House] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706094701/http://www.londonopenhouse.org/public/london/event.html|date=6 July 2010}}. Londonopenhouse.org (19 September 2010). Retrieved 23 October 2013.</ref> in order to open to the public for tours.
[[File:Former Fire Station, Norwood High Street 1782551.jpg|250px|thumb|right|South London Theatre (prior to refurbishment)]]

== Refurbishment ==
Funds including a [[National Lottery Heritage Fund]] grant were secured in 2014 to refurbish the building,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/news/starring-role-victorian-fire-station-it-secures-hlf-funding|title=Starring role for Victorian fire station as it secures HLF funding {{!}} The National Lottery Heritage Fund|website=www.heritagefund.org.uk|access-date=26 July 2019}}</ref> making it fully [[Accessibility|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 theater|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 system|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===
* [[Simon Russell Beale]]<ref>[http://southlondontheatre.co.uk/restoration/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=30&Itemid=64 News]. southlondontheatre.co.uk (12 July 2013). Retrieved 23 October 2013.</ref>
*[[Angela Barnes]]

===Former===

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk Home page] of the South London Theatre
* [http://www.sltarchive.co.uk Archive wiki] of the South London Theatre
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180809091353/http://aitaiata.org/ AITA/IATA] – International Amateur Theatre Association

{{Theatres in London}}
{{LB Lambeth}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Theatres in the London Borough of Lambeth]]
[[Category:Gothic Revival architecture in London]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in the London Borough of Lambeth]]
[[Category:Structures on the Heritage at Risk register]]
[[Category:Amateur theatre companies in London]]
[[Category:Grade II listed theatres]]
[[Category:Buildings by Robert Pearsall]]
[[Category:Community theatre]]
[[Category:Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain]]