This theatre was the home of the A.D.C. or Amateur Dramatic Club, a British drama society founded in 1866. It was also used by the expatriate community for other social events and, after 1931, as a cinema.

One of the shows which packed the house was the annual "Follies". These were dance revues produced by Ann Sommers as a showcase for the pupils of her very popular dancing school. The Follies continued right up until the arrival of the Japanese forces. A promising young local ballerina named Margaret Hookham once danced at the Lyceum-and grew up to become Margot Fonteyn.