Noel Coward

• Theatre ID
  725
• Built / Converted
  1903
• Dates of use
  • 1903: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  St Martin's Lane, Westminster, London, WC2N 4AH, England

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. The usual clutter of front of house lights includes a particularly ugly fairing on the second balcony front. The decorations now look tired and feeble except where (presumably original) paintings survive on balcony fronts. The hangings are also rather too sparse for such an opulent interior. (NB assessment dates from 2000 - update to follow)

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• 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 - 0 Owner/Management: Maybox
  • 1994 Owner/Management: owned by Chesterfields (Mayfair)
• 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.