The London Theatre

• Theatre ID
  3684
• Built / Converted
  2011
• Dates of use
  • 2011: continuing, as theatre
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (fringe theatre)
• Address
  443 New Cross Road, Lewisham, London, SE14 6TA, England
• Website
  • The London Theatre New Cross website

Details

443 New Cross Road was built in the 1870s as a residence. From the 1960s the building was subdivided and the different levels given different uses, including life in the 1970s and 1980s as a nightclub and later music venue Marlowe's. In the late 1990s the building was auctioned and purchased by fabric design company Atom, who still remain on the ground floor level, with residential use above. For ten years the basement was used by Arc Sounds as a recording studio, until April 2011 when The London Theatre Limited took over the basement space, opening in September of that year. The theatre is accessed down a short flight of steps and a small corridor with box office. There are two front of house bar areas, with the auditorium beyond. The recording studio has been retained as the sound booth. The auditorium itself is a simple black box with flat oak floored performance area, and a rehearsal mirror along one wall that can be covered during performances. The seating is raked, and removable. Beyond the auditorium is a dressing room with WC, and a small secondary dressing room space. An active fringe theatre, creating their own productions, and hosting other touring productions, comedy and more.

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• Events
  • 1870 Design/Construction: as a town house.
  • 1960 - 1969 Alteration: Building sub-divided - basement became doctor's surgery.
  • 1970 - 1979 Alteration: Basement and ground floor converted to nightclub.
  • 1980 - 1989 Alteration: Basement converted to music venue - Marlowe's.
  • 1990 - 1999 Owner/Management: Late 1990s purchased at auction by ATOM, fabric design studio.
  • 2001 Alteration: Basement adapted for use as recording studio.
  • 2001 Owner/Management: Basement used by ARC Sounds as recording studio.
  • 2011 Design/Construction: Basement converted to theatre.
  • 2011 Use: continuing, as theatre
  • 2011 Owner/Management: The London Theatre Limited, managers of basement theatre.
• Capacities
  • Current: 37; 50 for one person stand-up comedy
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed