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     St Martin's Theatre - Information & History
St.Martin's Theatre is situated on West Street. It was designed by the architect W.G.R. Sprague in 1913 as a sister theatre to The New Ambassadors Theatre, which is on the opposite street corner. The New Ambassadors Theatre was completed and opened in 1913, but the outbreak of the First World War put the building of St Martin's Theatre 'on-hold' and it was not completed until three years later in 1916.
St Martin's Theatre finally opened its doors on the 23rd of November 1916 with 'Houp La!' by Fred Thompson, starring Gertie Millar and George Graves under the direction of Charles B. Cochran, the lessee of the building on its opening.
Martin's Theatre was described on its opening as a 'very cosy and discreet little place, all soft coloured wood panelling and peacock blue hangings, with no touch of gilding except on the lamp brackets'. The Theatre today still retains that intimacy and its warm glowing polished wood interior remains still today, a unique feature of West End Theatres.
When St Martin's Theatre was built it was described as 'giving the impression of being a private theatre provided by some patron of the dramatic art for the entertainment of his friends'. The Theatre is still in the same family hands that created it, the Willoughby de Broke family, and it's now one of the very few family owned theatres in London. This beautiful building is a jewel in the crown of the London West End Theatres and has been cherished, loved and cared for like a vintage or classic car with a full service history, full long running MOT, excellent performer, lovingly restored, and kept immaculate both inside and out.
At the time of opening the architectural review said of St.Martin's, 'This building shows a change that has slowly been taking place during recent years. Its interior, instead of revelling in a lavish display of modelled plaster work, tricked out with gold leaf and paint, has an intimate, almost domestic character. In general style it tends to be what is known as English Georgian and gives one the impression of being a private theatre provided by some patron of the dramatic arts for the entertainment of his guests. The facade comprises a range of columns standing on a plain base and entablature and parapet. On this cornice, at the centre, is a large bronzed cartouche with flags grouped around, and on either side are vases. The proscenium and flanking walls of the auditorium are panelled their full height in Italian walnut with a range of columns and pilasters on either side, with gilded capitals and bases, carrying a bold entablature which is continued across the proscenium.'
St Martin's Theatre has staged plays by all of the contemporary playwrights including Frederick Lonsdale, Noel Coward, John Galsworthy, to name only a few. Productions such as John Mortimer's 'The Wrong side of the Park', Hugh Williams 'The Grass is Greener' are well known success stories for St Martin's Theatre.
It is true to say that the family commitment to the St Martin's is absolute, and continuity has been endured at St.Martin's from Bertie Meyer, who was so closely involved in St.Martin's in the early days. Bertie Meyer ran the theatre intermittently from l916 to 1967, when his son (Ricky) took over. Ricky was the administrator for twenty years until his retirement in l987 (he died in l991).
St.Martin's Theatre can only be associated with one play, which is now the world's longest running play. The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie, starring Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim, first started its run at the Ambassadors Theatre from its opening night on the 25th of November 1952 before moving to St. Martins in 1974, where it is still going strong in 2006, despite being in its 54th year!!!
The Mousetrap is a thriller murder mystery and has clocked up more than 21,000 performances over the past 50 years. It is quite simply a great piece of theatrical history because of what it is, a whodunit, written by one of the greatest crime writers Agatha Christie.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the 50th Anniversary Royal Gala Performance of the Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre on the 25th November 2002, together with its original star performers Lord Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim. The Mousetrap has been exciting audiences for as long as the Queen has been on the throne of England since 1952, a truly staggering statistic and testimony to the power and lure of a great story brought to life and death on the stage.
The Mouse Trap has clocked up some staggering statistics with no fewer than 336 actors and actresses appearing, 395 tons of Ice Cream sold and over 101 miles of shirts have been ironed. The Mousetrap entered the Guinness Book of Records way back in 1958 when it became the longest running show in British theatre history, and that was over 48 years ago! Some of the cast members are also in the record books including David Raven as the most durable actor with over 4,575 performances as Major Metcalf, and the late Nancy Seabrooke for a staggering 15 years as an understudy.
A recent refurbishment in 1998 has led to all the original woodwork being restored, silk wallpaper has been hung throughout the auditorium and the seats are all newly upholstered. The stage curtains were also replaced along with the Willoughby de Broke family coat of arms. The exterior was also completely restored back to its original former glory repaired and repainted, including a replica wrought iron 1916 canopy designed and erected to grace its entrance.
St Martin's Theatre is a quaint English theatre like no other and is still in the same family possession, the Willoughby de Broke family, who created and built the theatre and still own it to this very day. St.Martin's is a must see theatre if only to experience the Worlds longest running production 'The Mouse Trap'. Pass the cheese please!
Showing: The Mousetrap St Martin's Theatre | Performances | Information | Directions | History
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