To celebrate his revival launch of the newly reimagined theatre, The Circle and Star, curator and actor Steve Furst hosted a kaleidoscopic cabaret night, featuring his own cabaret alter ego, Lenny Beige.
The Circle and Star Theatre was formerly the Pentameters Theatre. Located above the Horseshoe pub just a short stroll from Hampstead Underground Station, the Pentameters Theatre was one of London’s first pub theatres.
This adorable, intimate 60-seater was founded in 1968 and opened in 1972, a venue pioneering poetry, comedy, new writing, and experimental performance. The launch of The Circle and Star Theatre marks an opening season boasting the likes of Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Mel Giedroyc, Jay Rayner…the list goes on considerably. The theatre will also feature monthly residencies hosted by Debs Tammer, David Arnold, and Guy Chambers. With its restoration comes upgraded technology, including the modern facilitates for live performance, streaming and recording.
A relaxed, tipsy affair, Monday’s launch catapulted into action with cabaret and musical performances. At one point, Steve Furst left the building, only to be replaced by his cabaret character, Lenny Beige: a wisecrack and musician, flip flopping between dad jokes to bangers on the guitar with a chaotic ease. At one point, he performed ‘I’m a Believer’ with his musical producer, with his little, one-eyed Shitzu, Genghis, sat in-between them. A delightful affair.
As curator Steve Furst has stated: “The Circle & Star Theatre is about bringing people together in a space that’s full of history, warmth and creativity. Hampstead has always been a home for artists and performers, and this is our way of celebrating that spirit for a new generation.”