Designed by architect Ewen Barr, the theatre's clever construction features stalls below street level, preserving neighbours' ancient light rights while accommodating the site's constraints. Despite a rocky start, including hosting the shortest run in West End history with "The Intimate Revue," which closed on its opening night in 1930, the Duchess found its stride with notable long-running productions like Noël Coward's "Blithe Spirit" in 1942 and the risqué musical "Oh! Calcutta!" in 1974.
A Grade II listed building, the Duchess Theatre boasts Art Deco interiors originally designed by Marc Henri and Gaston Laverdet, with later updates by Mary Wyndham-Lewis. The theatre’s intimate 494-seat auditorium has two levels, the Stalls and the Grand Circle, offering excellent views and a close connection to the stage. This intimacy has made it a beloved venue for a variety of performances over the decades, from serious dramas to uproarious comedies.
The theatre’s notable productions reflect its eclectic history. In the 1960s, Bill Naughton's "Alfie" and Harold Pinter's "The Caretaker" graced its stage. The '70s and '80s saw hits like Tom Eyen's "The Dirtiest Show in Town" and the long-running farce "Don't Dress For Dinner." More recently, Mischief Theatre’s "The Play That Goes Wrong" has been a runaway success, becoming the longest-running show in the theatre’s history since its opening in 2014.
Purchased in 2005 by Nica Burns and Max Weitzenhoffer as part of the Nimax Theatres group, the Duchess continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of history, intimacy, and a diverse array of performances.
Details
- Address:
- Catherine Street
- WC2B 5LA
- Contact:
- 020 7494 5075
- Transport:
- Tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) Bus numbers: (Whitehall) 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 88, 91, 159, 453; (Strand) 6, 9, 13, 15, 23, 29, 87, 139, 176