Current situation of Pentameters

Sadly, the Pentameters Theatre we knew and love is closed - The Horseshoes Pub’s operator, (Urban Pubs and Bars), decided to terminate the lease Pentameters has held with Camden Council since 1972. Camden council, despite our best efforts, chose not to become involved or to support the Theatre. Further, following Godfrey’s death in March 2026, and after more than 12 years doing so, Camden Council have decided that Pentameters may not hold its free community arts, music and poetry workshops in Monroe House.

Pentameters is not in any way involved or associated with the new venture in the Horsehoes Public House.  

In the meantime, we continue to put on our community art and events, including in the weekly (Wednesdays 10:30-13:30), currently in the Baptist Chapel at 84 Heath Street.  

Please do follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578839105865 where we had been serialising Godfrey’s dunking doodles art, poetry, the art of Pentameters from the past 6 decades, and other photos and related social history, as well as of course posting  information on the latest developments, publications and events.   Godfrey’s unexpected death has hit us hard, but we are working in the back-ground, and intend to resume presenting the back-catalogue soon.

As you will be aware, Pentameters Theatre has always been a not-for-profit organisation, run in and for our community by its originator (Leonie Scott Matthews), delivering authentic, inclusive performance opportunities for those beginning their careers and for professionals alike. Pentameters always delivered entertainment everyone can afford, with a wide range of concessions for those in difficult circumstances. 

With no income, we struggle to meet the costs of removals and now ongoing storage out of our own pockets. But we are determined that we will not lose all this social history, however hard it is to catalogue, and present it.

All residents of Camden, can of course ask their Councillors (Link) , submit FOI requests (Link) and it is your right to attend and ask public questions at council meetings and of course to make your voice heard at any other social and community events. 

In the mean-time, despite it being a huge challenge, the show will go-on!

Pentamters Past: 

For over 54 years, Pentameters Theatre has been located above The Horseshoe Pub, - creating the heart of Art in Hampstead Village where it is nestled among an abundance of cafes, restaurants and bars. Pentamters has been pivotal to how Hampstead has become 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 art events.

Founded in August 1968 by Léonie Scott-Matthews BEM, ARAM, 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.

As some may be aware, Pentameters has operated for over 54 years in the Horseshoes Public House, alongside a succession of pub operators arranged by the building's owners, Camden Council. Pentameter's has had huge beneficial impact to Hampstead, as well as driving up the income to the pub’s operator, and therefore its value to the building owner. We do not believe that Urban Pubs and Bars are entitled or justified in their actions and no previous issues had been raised by previous operators. We speculate that what has arisen, may be to do with Camden and Urban Pubs and Bars omitting to address over half a century of Pentameter's tenancy rights, the investments Pentameters has made in the building, or the value to the community, when (in 2022), Camden passed the pub operation to Urban Pubs and Bars.  

Pentameters operates truly in the community’s interest, every penny of income is ploughed into productions – The Theatre is run by the family and some extremely wonderful volunteers. Part of the uniqueness of Pentameters, is that it is truly independent has never cost the community, by having funding from teh council, the Arts Council or taxpayers etc. Pentameters do not receive any part of the Pub Operators enhanced bar receipts, or any stipend for bringing business to the area, and does not receive any financial recognition for the free sessions undertaken for vulnerable and disadvantaged people, or the reputational benefit for appearing in council and community promotions.

Léonie trained at the Royal Academy of Music obtaining their RAM diploma and LRAM (Speech & Drama) and won the Poetry Society’s Gold Medal for verse speaking.

The many authors to perform at Pentameters include Dannie Abse, Kingsley Amis, Margaret Drabble, Sir William Empson, John Heath-Stubbs, Ted Hughes, Laurie Lee, Roger McGough, Edna O'Brien, Harold Pinter, Stevie Smith, Sir Stephen Spender, John Wain and psychiatrist R.D. Laing. The Theatre has also played host to many performers, including, Adrian Edmundson, Ben Elton, French and Saunders, Nigel Havers, Celia lmrie, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Jenny Seagrove, Pamela Stephenson and Alexei Sayle.

Léonie was given a Camden Good Citizen Award for her outstanding work for the community and was also honoured as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for her contribution to the Arts. In 2016 Pentameters was chosen as an Asset of Community Value. Léonie has a one-woman show My life in Alternative Arts and compères Moon At Night, an open evening that was happenking every Sunday at 7.30pm at Pentameters Theatre, which she runs with her musician partner, Godfrey Old. Leonie also organsies and hosts a mutitude of free events for reading, poetry and music per week. 

In 2019, Léonie was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award and Hampstodian of the year. In the 2020 New Year Honours List she was awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to British Theatre and to the community in Hampstead.

Pentameters production of The Bevin Boys, written by Viv Edwards, received the 2020 London Pub Theatre Standing Ovation (New Play Raising Awareness) Award.

Léonie was awarded the Olwen Wymark Award for Encouragement in theatre writing by the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain on 8 April 2021.