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Our amazing fringe theatre deserves audiences’ support
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I WAS interested to read what actress Belinda Lang had to say about the refusal of a Lottery grant for Hampstead Theatre (Save theatre gems, says actress Lang, April 26). As a regular theatre-goer I completely endorse her views.
However, I must say the Hampstead Theatre has always had a full and appreciative audience. I even played there myself years ago as a member of the Primrose Hill Singers, when it was in the old, smaller building. Luckily, it has always had a good-sized audience.
I want to put a word in for our amazing fringe theatre, Pentameters, which is right in the centre of Hampstead village above the Horseshoes pub.
Pentameters is a modest place compared to the Hampstead Theatre but nonetheless puts on some stunning plays and monologues.
It has been run for more than 40 years by actress Leonie Scott-Matthews. In fact, Leonie was given a Citizen’s Award for her efforts. It bothers me that it is rarely filled to the rafters while people race off to the Everyman Cinema.
There are a stack of actors living in Hampstead and Camden. Are they not interested in good, live performances? Perhaps it is because Pentameters is a bit tucked away. Come on, people of Hampstead, get out and support your very own fringe theatre and you won’t be disappointed.
Prices are reasonable. Pensioners like me need only pay £10, and others £12.
One avoids the stress of getting into town because the theatre is on our doorstep.
DOROTHY CLARK
Leighton Road, NW5
• IT’S a bit rich of actress Belinda Lang to complain about the Hampstead Theatre being refused a grant to keep its own archives.
They had more than £12 million of Lottery money to build their theatre over our local park just a couple of years ago, and have been running their operation since then. Surely, they could have managed to keep £50,000 aside?
Or perhaps Ms Lang could donate her fee from an episode or two of her 2point4children? As she says: “It’s only a small sum of money.”
The Lottery decision was right. “It was felt there would be little general public demand for such a specialist theatre archive,” the spokesman said. Even the theatre managers agree, it seems, since they are applying for extra funds rather than using their own money.
I would prefer the Hampstead Theatre managers focused on supporting themselves by putting on good plays and running their other activities well, rather than always looking for new ways of holding out the begging bowl.
DAVID REED
(Address supplied) NW3
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