The Circle & Star Theatre Relaunch
The Circle & Star Theatre to Relaunch London’s Oldest Pub Theatre.
This December marks the revival of one of London’s most storied creative landmarks. The Pentameters Theatre, widely recognised as one of the city’s very first modern pub theatres, will reopen as The Circle & Star Theatre, located above The Horseshoe in Hampstead.
The 60-seat venue above The Horseshoe pub has been part of London’s cultural landscape for over half a century. Founded in 1968 and opened in its current space in 1972, it was one of the first modern pub theatres and became a home for new writing, poetry, comedy and experimental performance. Now, after years of quiet, it returns with a new identity and an opening season curated by actor, writer and musician Steve Furst, also known to audiences as his long-running cabaret alter ego Lenny Beige.
Some of Britain’s most recognisable performers, including Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Mel Giedroyc, Jay Rayner, Guy Chambers, Marcus Brigstocke, Liane Carroll, Jess Robinson, Clinton Baptiste and Simon Day, will take to the stage as part of the theatre’s opening programme.
The theatre will officially reopen on Monday 8 December 2025 with a press and members launch night hosted by Lenny Beige, followed by a packed programme featuring comedy, conversation and live music. Several shows will be livestreamed, and proceeds from the season will help fund a dedicated General Manager role from February 2026.
Alongside the individual show programming, the theatre will also feature monthly residencies hosted by Debs Tammer, David Arnold and Guy Chambers.
Just thirty seconds from Hampstead Underground station, the theatre pairs the charm of a traditional pub with modern facilities for live performance, streaming and recording. Audiences can enjoy The Horseshoe’s acclaimed food and drink before and after performances, keeping the social spirit of the old Pentameters alive.