Pentameters Theatre in Hampstead is London’s oldest fringe theatre and has been running for over 50 years with Leonie Scott-Matthews in charge throughout its entire existence. Names that have performed there over the years include Harold Pinter, Ted Hughes, Kingsley Amis, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Russell Brand and many, many more.
Pentameters Theatre has no funding and relies solely on box office revenue to maintain itself. Without any revenue for over four months due to coronavirus, the theatre is not able to pay rent and is under threat for the first time in its existence.
Pentameters is also required to carry out vital repair work to ensure that it’s safe to re-open. The lighting rig needs maintenance and minor building work needs to be done in accordance with the latest fire regulations.
£8,000 will be enough to cover the maintenance and the rent and keep the theatre alive and going for the foreseeable future, though more may be needed depending on the scale of the building work. All the money raised will go directly to this, and any leftover money raised will be fed back into the theatre for future productions.
The fundraiser has a number of rewards available, including posters designed by in-house artist and musician Godfrey Old, a signed poetry anthology written by founder Léonie Scott-Matthews, limited edition T-Shirts, and yearly memberships. There will also be fundraising evenings of music and poetry to be announced very soon.
