Pentameters Theatre

Pentameters Theatre

Interactive map of Pentameters Theatre
Location	Hampstead London, NW3 United Kingdom
Coordinates	51°33′21″N0°10′43″W / 51.555792°N 0.17866°W / 51.555792; -0.17866
Public transit	Hampstead
Owner	Léonie Scott-Matthews
Type	fringe theatre
Capacity	60
Construction
Opened	1968;57 years ago (1968)
Website
pentameters.co.uk

The Pentameters Theatre was founded in 1968 and is still run by artistic director Leonie Scott-Matthews, a well known Hampstead resident. Until 2025 it had operated as a 60-seat fringe venue in the London Borough of Camden, located above the Horseshoe public house in Hampstead.

History of the theatre

The theatre began in a disused skittle alley in the basement of the Freemason's Arms, Hampstead, in August 1968. It moved to an open-air site and also to the Haverstock Arms before moving to The Horseshoe in October 1971. It was founded to present poets reading their work in an informal theatrical pub setting.

Recent years

Scott-Matthews was appointed a BEM in the New Years Honours list 2020 for services to British Theatre and the community in Hampstead. ^[1] In 2025, The Stage reported that Pentameters Theatre had been evicted from the pub and a new company was being set up in its place by the actor Steve Furst. ^[2] Pentameters has indicated its intention to continue operating despite the eviction. ^[3]

References

1. "New Years Honours 2020" (PDF).
2. "'Oldest pub theatre' space relaunched by new creatives after Pentameters Theatre eviction". The Stage. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
3. "Pentameters Theatre Website". pentameters.co.uk. Retrieved 8 November 2025.

External links

• Official website