Right here, on Cheam Road, stands a building with a story etched in its red bricks. This is the Secombe Theatre. It is a place where community spirit met theatrical dreams.
The Secombe Theatre wasn’t always a theatre. Time jump to 1937. It began its life as a Christian Science church. The solid red-brick structure commanded respect. It stood proudly on its spacious plot. The plot was at the corner of Cheam Road and Gibson Road.
Now jump ahead to 1984. The church underwent a transformation. It was converted into a theatre. The new theatre was named after Harry Secombe. He was a famous comedian and a long-time resident of Cheam Road.
For many years, the Secombe Theatre thrived. It became a multi-purpose venue. The auditorium could hold almost 400 people. 396 patrons could be accommodated. Or 343 if the orchestra pit was in use. Backstage, dressing rooms buzzed with activity. There was also a roomy glass extension. It housed a bar where people could get refreshments.
The Secombe Theatre became a flagship. It hosted community activities and business events. It staged modern productions and gave fresh twists to old plays. The theatre was both a producing house and a receiving house. It produced its own shows and hosted touring companies. Local community groups also found a home here.
Notable productions graced its stage. “Steel Magnolias”, “The Tempest”, and “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” were all performed here. The world premiere of Edward Bond’s play, “Dea”, took place here in 2016.
However, the Secombe Theatre faced challenges. In 2014, Sutton Council announced plans to close it due to budget cuts. A public consultation followed. The Sutton Theatres Trust took over the management in 2015. But in August 2016, the trust went into administration. The Secombe Theatre closed its doors.
A petition to save the theatres gained over 1,350 signatures. Despite the community’s efforts, the Secombe Theatre remains closed. In 2022, Sutton Council announced plans to sell the site for new homes.
Today, the Secombe Theatre stands silent. It awaits an uncertain future. Yet, its legacy remains. It was once a place of laughter, drama, and community. The Secombe Theatre played an important role in Sutton’s cultural life.