The Bob Hope Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Bob Hope Theatre is a Community theatre
in Eltham in the London Borough of Greenwich
, England
. The Theatre is owned and run by the members of Eltham Little Theatre Company.
The theatre's own repertory members present approximately 11 shows each year, including a Pantomime every January, and an annual musical. A variety of other companies also perform at the theatre throughout the year - about 15 additional productions.
.
During the period from 1948 to 1950 there were some 600 individual members and 25 affiliated societies, and a production was staged every other weekend throughout the season.
Throughout this time the theatre’s management aimed eventually to purchase the building. Members were continually engaged in fund-raising activities to that end. By 1957 however, it became apparent that the asking price was beyond reach, and a sub-committee memorandum was submitted to the Borough Council with a recommendation that the building be acquired as an artistic centre for Eltham. While rejecting the recommendation, the Borough awarded the theatre a grant in aid, towards running expenses, in the the sum of £150. This grant, increased to keep step with inflation continued until the 1980s.
By chance, Bob Hope
, who was born in Craigton Road, Eltham, was in the UK to promote the Bob Hope British Classic
Golf
Tournament when he heard about the plight of the theatre.
Hope resolved to do what he could to help, and raised £58,000 through the 1980 and 1981 golf tournaments.
Bob Hope was assisted my celebrity friends in fund-raising for the theatre. While negotiations for the purchase of the building continued, Dickie Henderson
(Vice Chairman of the Bob Hope British Golf Classic) gave a benefit performance of his one-man show at the theatre to raise funds towards refurbishment. This was a tremendous evening of entertainment, enhanced by
the presence in the audience of several star personalities, including Max Wall
.
In November 1982, the purchase of the freehold was completed and Eltham Little Theatre was renamed The Bob Hope Theatre.
In September 1982, Bob Hope became co-honorary president of Eltham Little Theatre Company along with Former President of the United States
Gerald Ford
, who was heavily involved with the Bob Hope Classic Golf
Tournament.
In August 1991, Bob donated £28,000 from the Benefit Performance he staged at the London Palladium to raise money directly for the theatre.
The Bob Hope Theatre is a member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain
.
Community theatre
Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community...
in Eltham in the London Borough of Greenwich
London Borough of Greenwich
The London Borough of Greenwich is an Inner London borough in south-east London, England. Taking its name from the historic town of Greenwich, the present borough was formed in 1965 by the amalgamation of the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich with part of the Metropolitan...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The Theatre is owned and run by the members of Eltham Little Theatre Company.
The theatre's own repertory members present approximately 11 shows each year, including a Pantomime every January, and an annual musical. A variety of other companies also perform at the theatre throughout the year - about 15 additional productions.
History
Eltham Little Theatre (ELT) Company was formed on 12th November 1943 to promote drama, music and allied arts in Eltham and its immediate vicinity. During the early years it was without a permanent home but early in 1946, ELT was able to arrange an annual lease on Eltham Parish Hall (the current Theatre). Eltham Parish Hall (built in 1910) was unavailable earlier as it was being used as a military furniture store for the duration of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
During the period from 1948 to 1950 there were some 600 individual members and 25 affiliated societies, and a production was staged every other weekend throughout the season.
Throughout this time the theatre’s management aimed eventually to purchase the building. Members were continually engaged in fund-raising activities to that end. By 1957 however, it became apparent that the asking price was beyond reach, and a sub-committee memorandum was submitted to the Borough Council with a recommendation that the building be acquired as an artistic centre for Eltham. While rejecting the recommendation, the Borough awarded the theatre a grant in aid, towards running expenses, in the the sum of £150. This grant, increased to keep step with inflation continued until the 1980s.
Bob Hope Intervention
During the late 1970s several commercial concerns expressed an interest in the building for such purposes as a video recording studio, a sports centre and a multi-entertainment complex. None of these came to fruition for one reason or another. However, in 1979, the owner of the theatre wanted to sell the land and so would not renew the lease and without funds to find another base, members were widely resigned to the closure of both the building and the company.By chance, Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
, who was born in Craigton Road, Eltham, was in the UK to promote the Bob Hope British Classic
Bob Hope British Classic
The Bob Hope British Classic was the original and most often used name of a European Tour golf tournament which was played in England every year but one from 1980 to 1991. It had six different names in total. The English born American entertainer Bob Hope was one of the most prominent celebrity...
Golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
Tournament when he heard about the plight of the theatre.
Hope resolved to do what he could to help, and raised £58,000 through the 1980 and 1981 golf tournaments.
Bob Hope was assisted my celebrity friends in fund-raising for the theatre. While negotiations for the purchase of the building continued, Dickie Henderson
Dickie Henderson
Dickie Henderson, OBE was a London-born entertainer.-Early years:His father, Dick Henderson was a music hall comedian and singer famous for his short, rotund appearance, bowler hat and beautiful singing voice...
(Vice Chairman of the Bob Hope British Golf Classic) gave a benefit performance of his one-man show at the theatre to raise funds towards refurbishment. This was a tremendous evening of entertainment, enhanced by
the presence in the audience of several star personalities, including Max Wall
Max Wall
Max Wall , was an English comedian and actor, whose performing career covered music hall, theatre, films and television.-Early years:...
.
In November 1982, the purchase of the freehold was completed and Eltham Little Theatre was renamed The Bob Hope Theatre.
In September 1982, Bob Hope became co-honorary president of Eltham Little Theatre Company along with Former President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
, who was heavily involved with the Bob Hope Classic Golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
Tournament.
In August 1991, Bob donated £28,000 from the Benefit Performance he staged at the London Palladium to raise money directly for the theatre.
The Theatre Today
Section in developmentThe Bob Hope Theatre is a member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain
Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain
The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain is an Umbrella organisation promoting and supporting independent amateur theatre companies which have control over their own premises and produce drama of a high quality for the benefit of their communities...
.
Fameous Alumni
- Frankie HowerdFrankie HowerdFrancis Alick "Frankie" Howerd OBE was an English comedian and comic actor whose career, described by fellow comedian Barry Cryer as "a series of comebacks", spanned six decades.-Early career:...
- Although never a member of Eltham Little Theatre, he was a member of one of the groups that came together to found Eltham Little Theatre and performed at Eltham Parish Hall, later to become the Bob Hope Theatre. Frankie Howerd was a much loved British actor and comedian - John AyldonJohn AyldonJohn Ayldon is an English opera singer, best known for his performances in bass-baritone roles of the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.-Life and career:...
- An operatic bass-baritoneBass-baritoneA bass-baritone is a high-lying bass or low-lying "classical" baritone voice type which shares certain qualities with the true baritone voice. The term arose in the late 19th century to describe the particular type of voice required to sing three Wagnerian roles: the Dutchman in Der fliegende...
and former member of the D'Oyly Carte Opera CompanyD'Oyly Carte Opera CompanyThe D'Oyly Carte Opera Company was a professional light opera company that staged Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy operas. The company performed nearly year-round in the UK and sometimes toured in Europe, North America and elsewhere, from the 1870s until it closed in 1982. It was revived in 1988 and...
. - Jude LawJude LawDavid Jude Heyworth Law , known professionally as Jude Law, is an English actor, film producer and director.He began acting with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1987, and had his first television role in 1989...
- Hollywood film star.