London Theatres List
London Shows List
Cheapest London Theatre tickets
London Theatre breaks
|
     London Theatre Tickets » List of London Theatres » Noel Coward Theatre » History
Noel Coward Theatre - Information & History
The Noel Coward Theatre was originally called the New Theatre and is situated on St Martins Lane. It first opened its doors on the 12th of March 1903 with a play by Louis N. Parker called 'Rosemary', starring Charles Wyndham, the theatre entrepreneur and actor, and his wife Mary Moore.
The New Theatre was built for Sir Charles Wyndham and was designed by the famous theatre architect W.G.R. Sprague, who had been responsible for designing and building Charles Wyndham's first theatre, the Wyndham Theatre on Charring Cross Road which had opened several years before in 1899.
When Charles Wyndham purchased the land for the Wyndham theatre he also acquired additional land to the rear of the theatre, which he fully intended to sell on for a profit. However, after several abortive deals, Charles Wyndham decided he might as well build another theatre on this spare land behind the Wyndham. It fronted on to St.Martins Lane and he called it the 'New Theatre', which later became known as the Noel coward Theatre. This may have seemed like a crazy idea but at that time the Theatre was in great demand and this second theatre gave Charles the further opportunity to put on productions in both locations. This New Theatre was the second theatre to be built on St.Martins Lane, the first being The Trafalgar Square Theatre, which is now known as the Duke of York Theatre.
The New Theatre auditorium was built on four levels as was customary for limited ground space theatres. It was designed to accommodate more people by layers, hence the theatre had a seating capacity made up of stalls and pit, dress circle, upper circle and gallery. The interior decoration was in classic cream and gold, much of which still remains to this day. As the New Theatre literally was built in the back garden of the Wyndham, both theatres share the same stage door and there is also a bridge joining the theatres.
The Noel Coward Theatre was the 13th theatre that was designed and created by W.G.R. Sprague and indeed it was a lucky 13, as the style and finish of the theatre was perfection personified. As you enter the theatre you are immediately impressed by the architectural lines and the clear and uninterrupted view of the stage from every part of the auditorium, even from the far corners of the back of the gallery. The theatre was equipped with all of the latest technology that was available at the time. The finest detail had been applied to the decoration, which was in Louis XVI style, with prominent colours of gold and the pureness of white and complimented with luxurious drapery and curtains of Rose du Bari brocade and velvet.
The Seating in the Stalls and Dress Circle were exceptionally beautiful being upholstered in Aubusson tapestry. On the stage and above the Proscenium it is gilded and there is a perfectly modelled trophy embracing Peace and Music. The seasons are represented too with detailed mouldings of both Summer and Winter which were copied from bronzes of Mr. Claude Ponsonby. The detailed panels in the walls of the auditorium contained highly detailed portraits of French Kings and Queens.
The New Theatre continued to stage successful productions throughout the 20th century and finally changed its name to the Albery Theatre on the 1st of January 1973 in tribute to the late Sir Bronson Albery, who had presided over the Theatre's fortunes for many years and whose bust can be seen in the Theatre's foyer. There was a further slight change of the Gallery to be known as the Balcony.
The Albery Theatre finally changed its name to the Noel Coward Theatre to commemorate the famed English actor and eccentric gentleman in May 2006. Its current owners are 'Delfont Mackintosh Theatres'.
Showing: Million Dollar Quartet
Tuesday 8th February 2011 to Open ended run Noel Coward (formerly the Albery Theatre) | Performances | Information | Directions | History
|
|
