The Tyler Theatre is in Eltham Green School. To be honest, it was the real attraction. When I saw this advertised in a local magazine, I wondered where it could be. Then I dimly remembered a visit to a 'proper' theatre in Eltham Green thirty or more years ago. My recollection was of a small theatre with a raked floor, and cinema-style seats. I remember being impressed, because it was clearly a dedicated theatre: Eltham Green was, at that time, one of the biggest schools in England, and this theatre would have been useless for assemblies, etc. To my shame, I have no recollection whatsoever of what I saw. I can't even remember whether it was a school production or not. So I thought this production would be an excuse to see how this theatre had survived thirty-odd years in a very large London Comprehensive.
I didn't dare discuss any travel plans with the TfL Planner: if I'd said "Eltham Green" I know I would have got a stern talking-to and told to walk. The box office, in describing how to get to the theatre through the school grounds said it was "right by the car park". And it was a miserable night. So I took the car. The companion was grateful to be spared the walk, too.
Eltham Green is now a (much smaller) sports college, with a Teacher Centre (whatever that is) attached. It also seems to have some evening class activity.
The theatre is in splendid nick. It is likely the seating has been replaced, because it seemed as good as new. I wonder if it has any school use at all now. As a sports college, they probably don't even need a cinema, since all their stuff will be digital now. That must make its future precarious. Fancy the same neighbourhood being able to boast both this and the Bob Hope Theatre.
'Seven Brides' would not be my first choice for an amateur musical production. Having Wykopedia'd it before hand, I could just about manage 'Bless your Beautiful Hide' and 'Goin' Courting', but not all the way through. And I couldn't recall any of the other tunes at all. But the Sherard Players did it well, and clearly had a lot of fun doing it. And it was well-patronised by a very enthusiastic audience. Some of the lyrics (the ones from the film, I should think) were by Johnny Mercer, so I particularly enjoyed those beautifully-contrived Tin-Pan-Alley rhymes that pop-up in all his songs.
We had a good time, I was spared the predations of the TfL Planner, and I ended up in my usual pub in plenty of time for a decent third act.
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