The venue known as one of
London’s first modern pub theatres had its glittery re-launch open night on
December 8th and welcomed a small intimate crowd to join in with the
welcoming of its new name, ‘Circle and Star’ Theatre. Lenny Beige championed
the evening which was full of cabaret, music, comedy and live entertainment.
There follows a packed programme ahead over the coming weeks with line up’s
that include many familiar names such as David Walliams, Mel Giedroyc, Guy
Chambers, Clinton Baptiste, David Arnold and Liane Carroll. With comedy acts,
spoken word, cabaret, in-house conversation and live music being part of this
new theatre space’s vision.
Also, some performances will be live streamed with proceeds from this helping to find a suitable and enthusiastic General Manager for the venue from February 2026. Re-launching under its new name comes nearly three months after the fringe theatre company that had been resident there for more than 50 years was evicted. Having been invited along to witness this new-name creative space for myself it felt warm, inviting, certainly intimate with its 50/60 seated area and you feel right up there almost on stage yourself with the performers which is marvellous. Its curator and founder Steve Furst is extremely excited and enthusiastic about Circle and Star Theatre and its new re-birth and journey ahead. Furst who also performs a cabaret under the glorious name of ‘Lenny Beige’ has shared his thoughts about this new venture and hopes the theatre would act as a rehearsal space and also R&D for new work, including musicals. Furst talks about a friendship he formed where, over the the years, they have done shows together and tried to book the theatre above the Horseshoe pub space (during timings of Covid and post Covid) and sadly by peering through the window it looked like there was nothing going on, hints of it being a bit unloved and needy of some new life. Then, randomly, (but in hind site perhaps fate) there was an eviction notice through the window. Pentameters Theatre, which arrived in the Horseshoe pub in 1971 and hosted figures there such as Nigel Havers, Celia Imrie and Ben Elton, was instructed to vacate the premises in August. The pub’s operator, hospitality company Urban Pubs and Bars, reportedly had noticed that there had been a “significant decline in performances” but Pentameters Theatre’s artistic director Léonie Scott-Matthews believed it had fallen custom to a “David and Goliath situation”
Furst explained he was aware of the history of Pentameters and what Scott-Matthews had really worked on to nurture the space. A legacy had formed and it was now time to gently take over the reigns. However, whilst always being grateful for its old history and the work Scott-Matthews had done before him, taking on this new venture Furst was very clear it was going to be a new experience. He wanted to look back and appreciate the hard work for that legacy being built up in the local area, and also wanted to bring this new name/new feel intimate theatre space bang up to date into the 21st century! This takes some efforts as Furst planned on modernising the space and brought in new sound and lighting, cameras for screenings and filming, and a more airy and larger backstage space for performers. Furst has shared that a deal with Urban Pubs and Bars that was certainly generous, really did enable the revamping, re-working and allowed for improvements to be made. So much so that without it the relaunch may never have been a possibility. It really does have flavours of a teamwork effort on this and everyone involved embraces the importance and value of what is trying to be created in the heart of Hampstead village. Furst himself raised money to organise the theatres new needs, including but not limited to sound, lighting and seating in a space that hadn’t seen any new renovation for 50 years! I sense Furst is extremely grateful for the support, encouragement and financial aid, and realises without it the Circle and Star theatre would not be in existence today.
Circle and Star theatre is situated just 30 seconds from Hampstead underground and is ideally situated for people heading in as a warm and inviting option away from the west end for intimacy and exclusivity. Audiences can also enjoy The Horseshoe pubs acclaimed food and drink before and after performances which keeps the feeling, spirit and history of the old Pentameters well and truly alive and well. Circle and Star theatre really has that community feel to it, and I sense will bring audiences together regularly and with some performances already selling out quickly, I’m convinced of this new energy theatre space being a complete success. Hats off to Furst and all involved in making this vision a reality for all to enjoy.
You can find a full line up of upcoming events and booking facilities at www.circleandstar.com
Reviewer - Mary Fogg
On - 8th December
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