Godfrey Old, Leonie Scott Matthews and Alice Old outside Pentameters

A TREASURED theatre has been told it must leave its premises after nearly 60 years of performances – sparking a last gasp campaign to keep it open.

Former England international Tony Woodcock, who played for Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, is among supporters of Pentameters Theatre in Heath Street, Hampstead, appealing for landlords to think again.

He told the New Journal this week: “I like the tradition of the theatre and all it stands for. It’s a place for all parts of the community and there has to be creativity here instead of the space being lost.”

Léonie Scott-Matthews, the artistic director who founded the theatre in 1968 after she moved from Nottingham to London, and has run it above the Horseshoe pub for the past 54 years, said: “It’s my life’s work. What I’ve done is not for celebrities, fame or money but as a hub for the local community.”

Tony Woodcock and Andy Watt say they want the pub company to work with the family

Even so, over the years many famous acts have trod the boards, including Ben Elton, French and Saunders and the late Rik Mayall. Harold Pinter performed there and put on his play The Dumb Waiter.

An eviction notice was served two weeks ago when Ms Scott-Matthews, her partner Godfrey Old and their daughter Alice Old were told that they would have to vacate the premises today (Thursday) as the lease from Urban Pubs and Bars had ended.

Ms Scott-Matthews said: “We’re absolutely devastated. I am just so worried. I’ve taken a third of the stuff out, in case they throw it out just like that. I’ve had to cancel every show and stop everything, whilst we fight this. “It’s incredibly respected by the Hampstead community and it will be a total loss to Hampstead if it closes.”

Over the past year the theatre has struggled with its finances and Ms Scott-Matthews and her partner Mr Old, a musician, have suffered ill health.

Ms Old said: “As soon as I was born at the Royal Free my mother took me straight to the theatre in her arms and did the box office tickets, I was literally born into it. If the community had a choice it would be kept running as a theatre and as a place the arts. It’s quite a big shock.”

In 2020, Ms Scott-Matthews was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to theatre.

Mr Woodcock said: “If Alice did manage to take it over there could be a new lease of life into the place.”

The former footballer was in the process of organising a community event with Andy Watt, a long-time Hampstead resident, with the aim of helping the theatre. It is due to take place in September but suddenly it’s more urgent.

“The first I heard about it was last week. I was shocked,” said Mr Watt. He added: “If the brewery can work together with the community – they can have a go at keeping the theatre going.”

Mr Woodcock added: “We don’t want to fight – it would be really good if the owners of the pub and brewery worked together with the theatre to make it a success which would not only benefit the community but benefit the pub as well.”

Ms Scott Matthews talks to the audience after what now looks like it may be the final performance at the theatre in Hampstead

Musician Bill Dury, the son of the late Blockheads frontman Ian Dury, said he first visited the theatre in his 20s. “I am utterly devastated. I’ve been crying non stop over the past couple of weeks,” he said. “The theatre is like a time capsule of all the different inspirations of actors, musicians and playwrights who have been there for the past 50 years. There is literally nowhere like it in the world.”

More than 150 people packed into the 60-seat theatre on Sunday night to show their support at what might turn out to be its last show. Mr Dury said: “It was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. How deeply sad we all were to think this might be the last time we are in that space. We need to know if the landlord is willing to preserve 60 years of history in Hampstead.”

The Horseshoe spokesperson said: “We’ve always valued the important role creative spaces play in our communities, which is why this has been a careful and considered process. Unfortunately, the current theatre space has fallen into serious disrepair. Despite multiple attempts to engage, the tenant has not taken steps to address the condition of the premises and has not paid rent for several years.

“In recent years, the venue has also seen a significant decline in performances and no longer serves the local community in the way it once did.

“We are planning to invest in and redevelop the space into a flexible, year-round venue that can host birthdays, small events, amateur dramatics, social clubs, and other local gatherings ensuring it remains a vibrant part of Hampstead life.

“We continue to support theatre and arts in the community, and we are proud to have a successful theatre tenant at The Gatehouse in Highgate, just down the road, a venue that remains both thriving and well-run. “It is with great regret that we have been forced to take this action. However, we believe that in doing so we will preserve and enhance this community space, enabling it to benefit more people, more of the time.

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We are speaking to Urban Pubs, leaseholders of this building, to better understand the current situation and how we may be able to assist.”