Pentameters Theatre

Pentameters Theatre is a small fringe venue in London’s Camden borough. It sits above the Horseshoe pub, a building with a long history in Hampstead. The theatre began in 1968 in a basement skittle alley under the Freemason’s Arms. It moved several times before settling in its current spot in 1971. Leonie Scott-Matthews has led the theatre since its start and still runs it today. The space was created to give poets a place to share their work in an informal setting. The theatre has played an important role in British theatre and Hampstead’s community. Scott-Matthews received a British Empire Medal in 2020 for her work. The venue has hosted readings by well-known poets and writers over the decades. It became a place where new voices could be heard alongside established names. Despite losing its home in 2025, the theatre plans to continue operating elsewhere. Visitors to Pentameters Theatre would find a cosy, intimate space with a focus on poetry and performance. The walls hold decades of literary history from its time above the Horseshoe. Even after moving, the theatre aims to keep its creative spirit alive. The new location will still offer a chance to hear poets read their own work. The community around Hampstead and Camden remains central to its mission.