Designed by W.G.R. Sprague, its exterior boasts classical elegance, while the interior dazzles with Rococo charm—a veritable stage set for the drama both on and off the stage.
This theatre's storied past is a veritable who’s who of theatrical royalty. Its debut featured "Rosemary," with Sir Charles Wyndham and Mary Moore leading the cast, setting a high bar for future performances. The early 20th century saw Fred Terry and Julia Neilson’s "The Scarlet Pimpernel" slashing its way through audiences’ hearts annually, while Noël Coward himself made his West End debut here in 1920 with "I'll Leave It to You," proving that sometimes you really can leave it to a genius.
The Noël Coward Theatre's lineage is peppered with illustrious names and legendary performances. In 1924, Sybil Thorndike became Saint Joan, as lauded by the Daily Mail, and John Gielgud solidified his star status with "Richard of Bordeaux" in 1933. The 1940s brought wartime resilience as the theatre hosted the bomb-displaced Old Vic and Sadler's Wells companies. Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier took turns captivating audiences, with Olivier’s "Richard III" sending shivers down many a spine.
In 1960, the theatre staged Lionel Bart’s "Oliver!," which ran for an impressive 2,618 performances, proving that when it comes to longevity, this theatre’s got the right stuff, guv’nor. The 1970s saw a name change to the Albery Theatre in honor of Sir Bronson Albery, before being acquired by Sir Cameron Mackintosh in 2005 and rechristened the Noël Coward Theatre in 2006.
From Katharine Hepburn’s West End debut in "The Millionairess" to Nicole Kidman’s scientific turn in "Photograph 51," the theatre has been a launchpad for stellar careers. Today, it continues to host a mix of classic revivals and groundbreaking new work.
Details
- Address:
- St Martin's Lane
- WC2
- Transport:
- Railway station: Charing Cross Bus numbers: (Charing Cross) 24, 29, 176; (Strand) 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, 91, 139