Noel Coward

• Theatre ID
  725
• Built / Converted
  1903
• Dates of use
  • 1903: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  85-88 St Martin's Lane, Westminster, London, WC2N 4AU, England
• Website
  • Noel Coward on Delfont Mackintosh site

Details

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 façe 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.

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• Other names
  Albery, New Theatre
• Events
  • 2005 - 0 Owner/Management: long lease reverted to Salisbury Estate, Delfont Mackintosh lessees.
  • 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 - 0 Owner/Management: Maybox
  • 1994 - 0 Owner/Management: owned by Chesterfields (Mayfair); later by ATG.
  • 2006 - 0 Alteration: reopened after extensive refurbishment throughout, renamed Noel Coward.
• Capacities
  • Original: c.938
  • Later: 1946: 926 1971: 879 1983: 877
  • Current: 877
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Prod flat
• 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
  • Orchestra pit: Flexible - see assessment
• Unreliable anecdotes
  Not to be confused with the New London Theatre(q.v.). The Albery was renamed in 1973 when the New London opened.