This December marks the revival of one of London’s most storied creative landmarks. The Pentameters Theatre, widely recognised as one of the city’s very first modern pub theatres, will reopen as The Circle & Star Theatre, located above The Horseshoe in Hampstead. The 60-seat venue above The Horseshoe pub has been part of London’s cultural landscape for over half a century. Founded in 1968 and opened in its current space in 1972, it was one of the first modern pub theatres and became a home for new writing, poetry, comedy and experimental performance. Now, after years of quiet, it returns with a new identity and an opening season curated by actor, writer and musician Steve Furst, also known to audiences as his long-running cabaret alter ego Lenny Beige. Some of Britain’s most recognisable performers, including Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Mel Giedroyc, Jay Rayner, Guy Chambers, Marcus Brigstocke, Liane Carroll, Jess Robinson, Clinton Baptiste and Simon Day, will take to the stage as part of the theatre’s opening programme. The theatre will officially reopen on Monday 8 December 2025 with a press and members launch night hosted by Lenny Beige, followed by a packed programme featuring comedy, conversation and live music. Several shows will be livestreamed, and proceeds from the season will help fund a dedicated General Manager role from February 2026. Steve Furst said: “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.” Alongside the individual show programming, the theatre will also feature monthly residencies hosted by Debs Tammer, David Arnold and Guy Chambers. Just thirty seconds from Hampstead Underground station, the theatre pairs the charm of a traditional pub with modern facilities for live performance, streaming and recording. Audiences can enjoy The Horseshoe’s acclaimed food and drink before and after performances, keeping the social spirit of the old Pentameters alive. Furst, known for his creation Lenny Beige, brings both creative vision and affection for the venue’s legacy, ensuring this historic theatre remains a vital part of Hampstead’s artistic community.

Music Venue Trust (MVT), the UK charity supporting hundreds of Grassroot Music Venues (GMVs), is excited to announce a UK tour by alt-pop star Mae Stephens. The tour includes a London date on Wednesday 1 April at The Lower Third. The run of shows is supported by the Liveline Fund, a crucial resource developed by MVT and live music advocates Save Our Scene (SOS) to deliver necessary backing to grassroots venues, touring artists, and promoters. This support is generated by contributions from stadium and arena ticket sales, with major artists including Sam Fender, Katy Perry and Enter Shikari having adopted the Grassroots Levy to power the future of UK music, alongside Coldplay pledging 10% of their profits from their recent UK stadium tour.

Mae’s first ever tour, which runs from 18th March 2026 to 1st April 2026, allows the 22-year-old artist to bring her global tracks back to the intimate settings that nurture rising talent. Mae, whose smash hit ‘If We Ever Broke Up’ was certified Gold in the UK and US, and has achieved over 500 million streams, will visit towns and cities across the UK, re-engaging with the venues that form the true backbone of the music scene. Her journey began in local pubs before a viral TikTok moment propelled her from working shifts at Asda to sharing stages with legends like P!NK and BLACKPINK at BST Hyde Park.

Speaking about the tour Mae said, “I’m partnering with Music Venue Trust to finally bring you guys a tour!! I’ve wanted this for so long as I have so much music to show yall!!!! Throughout the tour there will be unreleased tracks dropping in, so if you wanna hear new music or sing along to the old ones…book a date, bring a mate and come join me on my first ever tourrrrrr!!!!”

2026 Tour Dates
Wednesday 18 March Norwich Arts Centre
Thursday 19 March Sheffield Sidney & Matilda
Saturday 21 March Edinburgh Sneaky Pete’s
Sunday 22 March Newcastle Cluny
Tuesday 24 March Nottingham Bodega
Wednesday 25 March Birkenhead Future Yard
Friday 27 March Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
Saturday 28 March Bristol The Louisiana
Sunday 29 March Tunbridge Wells The Forum
Tuesday 31 March Bedford Esquires
Wednesday 1 April London The Lower Third

The Liveline Fund is dedicated to ensuring the best new and developing live music reaches communities across the country. Through partnerships with artists, promoters, and venues, Liveline is establishing new approaches to reinvigorate local live music scenes.

Rebecca Walker, Live Projects for Music Venue Trust, said “We are delighted to present Mae Stephens on tour at venues that have held the grassroots scene together for years. If we want live music to have a future, this is how we protect it – by ensuring artists have the support they need and venues, and the local communities, have access to the best British talent.”