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Noel Coward

725

Built by Sir Charles Wyndham on land he had to acquire before building Wyndham's Theatre, with which it stands back to back, separated only by St Martin's Court and with a modern linking bridge. Stone free classical façade to St Martin's Lane, in three major bays, the centre slightly advanced and pedimented over an Ionic pilastered order. Flank and rear elevations in yellow and glazed brick.

The interior has suffered little alteration of any consequence. Its planning provides a striking example of the tendency, during the commercial building boom at the turn of the century, to impose the largest possible auditorium on to the smallest practicable site. Like a watchmaker, Sprague packed all the working parts into an impossibly confined volume. The way in which he met increasingly stringent safety regulations, while providing public spaces which, even if less than generous, were not mean, is instructive.

The auditorium, in restrained French style, (described as 'of the period of Louis XIV') is typical of Sprague, but Claude Ponsonby is credited with the decorative details. Three variously curving balconies set back, one behind the other, the lowest (dress circle) being lyre-shaped and the upper two extending forward into narrow slips. All have bombe fronts. The proscenium wall makes a tangent to the circular ceiling. There are three tiers of boxes on either side of a square proscenium opening which is completely framed on all four sides by a moulded architrave. Full relief figures, Peace and Music, in panel over. Brass orchestra rail now set back to line of proscenium.

Delfont Mackintosh Theatres took over the lease in 2005 and a full refurbishment followed, with new wall coverings, carpets and upholstery. The balcony was rebuilt and the seats replaced (now returned to their original damask rose colour), and the stalls bar returned to its original size.

Built / Converted
1903
Dates of use
  • 1903 : continuing
Current state
Extant
Current use
Theatre
Address
85-88 St Martin's Lane, London, Westminster, WC2N 4AU, England
Further details
Other names
Albery , New Theatre
Events
  • 1903 Use: continuing
  • 1903 Design/Construction:
    W G R Sprague
    - Architect
    Claude Ponsonby
    - Consultant
  • 1903 Owner/Management: Built for Sir Charles Wyndham
  • 1919 Owner/Management: Mary Wyndham
  • 1931 Owner/Management: Howard J Wyndham & B J Albery
  • 1947 Owner/Management: Bronson J Albery
  • 1984 Owner/Management: Maybox
  • 1994 Owner/Management: owned by Chesterfields (Mayfair); later by ATG.
  • 2005 Owner/Management: long lease reverted to Salisbury Estate, Delfont Mackintosh lessees.
  • 2006 Alteration: reopened after extensive refurbishment throughout, renamed Noel Coward.
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    c.938
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1946: 926
    1971: 879
    1983: 877
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    877
Listings
  • Listing
    II
Stage type
Prod flat
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 37ft 6in - varies 12.27-13.64m Width SL: 8m min SR: 7.72m min
Proscenium width: 31ft 6in (9.6m)
Height to grid: 7.01m
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: Flexible - see assessment