Theatre director Mark Greenall tells the fascinating history of Walthamstow’s open air theatre which celebrates its centenary this summer
Imagine the excitement pupils at Walthamstow School for Girls felt when they found out they were getting an outdoor swimming pool in their school grounds back in the 1920s. Then imagine how they felt when the new headmistress decided they would get a replica of an Ancient Greek theatre instead. Actually, they were thrilled. And that theatre, a secret idyllic venue and part of our social history, turns 100 years old this summer.
Back then, replica Greek theatres were a status symbol for some of the most famous public schools. However, as far as we know, this 1920s theatre was the only one at the time to be constructed in a state school. Having been built by a dozen unemployed men of the borough, the theatre was part of the public works that created jobs to combat the terrible recession that followed the First World War.
Funding and labour was provided by The West Ham Board of Guardians who were responsible for administering the Poor Law. This system, including workhouses, was how a parish (and later, a borough) provided for its own poor and unemployed at the time. However, the theatre was one of the West Ham Board’s last projects.
Parliament took over the board in 1926 because it had overspent while helping one of Britain’s poorest boroughs. However, this action had the unexpected consequence of ending 400 years of the Poor Law which meant the government now accepted that dealing with poverty was its national responsibility.
The theatre opened in June 1925 with the performance of the ancient Greek tragedy Medea starring the famous theatre and film actor Sybil Thorndike. Dame Sybil would still recognise today this oasis of calm and greenery hidden in the heart of Walthamstow Village.
The Greek Theatre Players group was founded in 1958. Their aim is to provide good quality local drama while keeping ticket prices as low as possible. The group draws actors from across London to produce an annual summer Shakespeare play.
This year’s 100th anniversary production is Antony and Cleopatra, often called one of history’s greatest love stories told by history’s greatest writer. The Roman Empire is on the rise as Marc Antony and Cleopatra are torn between passion and duty; Rome, meanwhile, wants to destroy them both. With the glamour of Roman and Egyptian costumes, it’s Shakespeare as intended; outdoor, pacy, colourful and up-close to the audience.
Antony and Cleopatra is running between 23rd -26th July 2025. Find out more by going here
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
