Secombe Theatre

Secombe Theatre is an Art Deco building with a red brick exterior and a glass extension along Gibson Road that houses a public bar and refreshment area. The auditorium seating holds around 400 people and features a traditional proscenium arch stage with multiple dressing rooms, plus a separate 120-seat performance space called Back Door.

Built originally as a Christian Science church in 1937, the building was transformed into a theatre in 1983. It was named after Welsh entertainer Sir Harry Secombe and served as a performance venue for more than three decades before closing in 2016.

The theatre served as a gathering place where audiences could experience contemporary works and classical pieces together. Its spaces reflected how people came together to share performances.

The building offers straightforward access with separate entrances to the main auditorium and the smaller Back Door space, accommodating different visitor needs. The bar and refreshment areas are positioned at the entrance level, making it easy for visitors to have drinks or snacks before and after shows.

The theatre hosted the world premiere of Edward Bond's play Dea, offering a rare opportunity to see new dramatic works at a smaller venue. Financial pressures eventually led to its closure and subsequent plans for residential conversion.

Location: London Borough of Sutton

Inception: 1983

Official opening: 1983

Architectural style: Art Deco

Address: 42 Cheam Road, Sutton, SM1 2SS, England

Website: http://suttontheatres.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.36170,-0.19715

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01