The Novello Theatre opened its doors on May 22, 1905, as the Waldorf Theatre. This grand dame of the stage has seen more transformations than a Broadway star's costume change, having been renamed the Strand Theatre in 1909, then the Whitney Theatre in 1911, before settling back to the Strand in 1913. In 2005, it donned its current name, honoring Welsh composer and beloved tenant Ivor Novello, who lived above the theatre for nearly 40 years.
In 1915, during WWI, a Zeppelin raid bombed the theatre pit entrance during a performance of "The Scarlet Pimpernel." The audience, reassured by Fred Terry's cool head and steady performance, saw the show go on despite the chaos. Fast forward to 1940, and the Blitz couldn't stop the Novello either. Even as bombs fell, lunchtime Shakespeare performances continued, actors navigating rubble to reach the stage.
The Novello has hosted legendary productions. Eugene O'Neill’s "Anna Christie" caused a sensation in 1923, and in the 1940s, "Arsenic and Old Lace" enjoyed a record-breaking run of 1,337 performances. The 1970s brought the farcical "No Sex Please, We're British," which ran for a decade before transferring to the Garrick Theatre. And who can forget the toe-tapping success of "Mamma Mia!" which has been delighting audiences since it transferred to the Novello in 2012?
The theatre, designed by W. G. R. Sprague, shares architectural DNA with the Aldwych Theatre, flanking the Waldorf Hilton. With a seating capacity of 1,105 spread across four levels, the Novello's intimate yet grandiose auditorium ensures every seat has a stellar view. Today, it continues to thrive under the stewardship of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, bringing a century's worth of theatrical excellence into the present day.
Details
- Address:
- 5 Aldwych
- WC2B 4LD
- Transport:
- Railway station: Charing Cross Bus numbers: (Aldwych) RV1, X68, 1, 6, 11, 13, 23, 59, 68, 87, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 188, 243; (Strand) 4, 9, 15, 26, 76, 176, 341