Godfrey Old with the theatre’s sign

THE iconic sign of a historic playhouse has been taken down, marking the closing curtain on nearly 60 years of dramatics.

The Pentameters Theatre above the Horseshoe pub in Heath Street, Hampstead, closed in July after founder Léonie Scott-Matthews was told she had to move out after the end of her lease from Urban Pubs and Bars.

Now, Circle and Star Theatre will be opening up in the space with Steve Furst, a comedian and actor known for his character Lenny Beige, being its artistic director.

Last week Ms Scott-Matthews’ partner, Godfrey Old, saw that the large, recognisable oval sign in Oriel Place had been taken down. He collected it later that day and it has since been put into storage.

Ms Scott-Matthews founded Pentameters Theatre in 1968 after she moved from Nottingham to London.

Friends of Pentameters, a group set up to support the future of the playhouse, have been trying to find an alternative space in Hampstead for Pentameters to continue.

While a venue has not yet been found, Ms Scott-Matthews has been running a poetry group at Monro House every Wednesday from 10.30am-1pm.