Broadway, Catford

Broadway, Catford
Former names	Lewisham Theatre
Address	Rushey Green London, SE6 United Kingdom
Coordinates	51°26′43″N 0°01′14″W / 51.4453°N 0.0205°W / 51.4453; -0.0205
Public transit	Catford Bridge
Owner	London Borough of Lewisham
Designation	Grade II listed
Type	Receiving house
Capacity	800 seated (main) 100 seated (studio theatre)
Production	Cinema, theatre, music and pantomime
Construction
Opened	1932; 92 years ago (1932)
Architect	Bradshaw Gass & Hope
Website
broadwaytheatre.org.uk

The Broadway Theatre (formerly known as the Lewisham Theatre) is a theatre on Rushey Green, Catford, in the London Borough of Lewisham. A grade II listed building,^[1] the theatre was built in 1932 and is an example of Art Deco design. It has two auditoriums, an 800-seat main theatre and a small 80-seat studio theatre. The theatre's programme consists of a diverse mix of theatre and music, including stand up comedy, nostalgia shows, pantomime, drama and children's theatre.

History

The architects of the building were Bradshaw Gass & Hope; the slightly Gothic features were intended to relate to the adjacent Gothic style vestry hall which has since been demolished.^[2] The theatre was originally a concert hall, built as part of the town hall extension, which was officially opened by the Duke of York on 22 June 1932.^[3] A pipe organ made by John Compton with three manuals was installed at the time the concert hall opened.^[3]

Main theatre

The Broadway Theatre is particularly noted for presenting a wide range of black theatre.^[4]

Broadway Studio

The Broadway's Studio Theatre runs a continuous programme of productions featuring professional actors and directors. Since 2001's production of Ben Elton's Popcorn the studio has hosted numerous productions including Cabaret, Trainspotting, A Clockwork Orange and their critically acclaimed take on Frank McGuinness's Someone Who'll Watch Over Me.^[5]