Welcome to Pentameters Theatre

Celebrating 50 years

Pentameters Theatre is located above The Horseshoe Pub in the heart of Hampstead Village and is nestled among an abundance of cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs to have pre/post-theatre dinner or drinks. Hampstead is also well-known for its artistic character, offering a supportive, interactive and thriving local community making it an ideal spot to promote live theatre and creative arts events.

Founded by Léonie Scott-Matthews in August 1968, Pentameters is one of the most respected fringe theatres in London. Léonie has put on hundreds of professional shows from Shakespeare, classic revivals and new plays to alternative comedy, music and poetry events.

The many authors to perform at Pentameters include Dannie Abse (1923-2014), Kingsley Amis, Margaret Drabble, Ted Hughes, Laurie Lee, Roger McGough, Edna O'Brien, Harold Pinter, John Wain and the psychiatrist R.D. Laing. The Theatre has also played host to many performers at the start of their careers, including Russell Brand, Adrian Edmundson, Ben Elton, French and Saunders, Nigel Havers, Celia lmrie, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Jenny Seagrove, Pamela Stephenson and Alexei Sayle.

To celebrate her commitment to the creative arts, Léonie was honoured as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music and, as a Hampstead resident, received a Camden Good Citizen Award in 1998 in recognition of her outstanding work for the community.

 
  "Pentameters without virtue cannot endure."




'Best Theatre, 2016'
by Hampstead Village Voice.

Léonie Scott-Matthews with the cast and crew of “House of Cowards” written by Dannie Abse (1923-2014)

Directed by Conrad Blakemore (November 2013)