Stay for a soirée: Victorian Gothic folly for sale with mini salon theatre where Gilbert and Sullivan once performed

A Victorian Gothic folly in Hampstead seeks an equally flamboyant owner.

Actress-turned-hotelier/designer Anouska Hempel and Hollywood queen Joan Crawford are among those said to have stayed at the Grade II-listed property, when it belonged to film and TV actor David Warbeck.

He spent 20 years lovingly restoring the six-bedroom residence, with mirror, gilt arches and draperies merging in a spectacular camp/kitsch fusion.

Built by associates of Sir George Gilbert Scott at the time of the construction of St Pancras station, it has seen many a musical soirée when Gilbert and Sullivan, George Grossmith and Ellen Terry would perform in the house’s miniature salon theatre.

The six-bedroom maisonette is for sale priced £4,999,995 through PER Westray (020 3858 3468).