Novello Theatre A Glorious Journey Through The Lanes Of History

Theatres have a long and glorifying entertaining history in London

. For centuries, they have been centre of entertainment in London, breaking the monotony in life of people and offering a reprieve to their soul. West End Theatre represents all the large theatres of London and comprise for the highest level of commercial entertainment in the English World. A glimpses of these houses are a must catch while on a tour to London.

Many eminent artists have graced their stages while notable plays, operas and musicals have enjoyed historic run in their auditorium. Located on Aldwych in the City of Westminster London, Novello Theatre is one such edifice. The house was built as a pair along with the Aldwych Theatre and opened on 22 May 1905. W.G.R. Sprague designed the structure and it was initially named after the Waldorf Hotel that stood between the Novello and Aldwych Theatre.

Like most of the theatres in London, Novello too has undergone many name changes. During its inaugural moment it was called Waldorf and was named the Strand Theatre in 1909 while Whitney Theatre in 1911. It was rechristened as the Strand Theatre in 1913 and continued to be so until it got its current name in 2005 after the acclaimed Welsh composer, singer and actor Ivor Novello. Ivor Novello lived in a flat above the theatre from 1913 to until his death in 1951.

Its auditorium has remained jam-packed since its very initial days. In the 1940s, Arsenic and Old Lace enjoyed a long run of 1337 performances here while Sailor Beware had spectacular 1231 performances commencing from 1955. Considering the time, both these figures was recorded as landmarks. On the ill-fated day of Kennedys assassination, 22nd November 1963, the internationally popular musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened here. This Stepehen Sondheims award winning show went for two years run. No Sex Please, Were British debuted here in 1971 and it ran for a decade before being transferred to the Garrick Theatre in 1982.

Ever since the house was built in 1907 since then it has been renovated twice. The first refurbishment was accomplished in 1930 while the second was undertaken in 1970s. Currently it is a Grade II listed theatre by English Heritage and can host 1105 audiences at a time. The recent restorations have taken place in 2005, in its hundredth anniversary year, after performances of The Rat Pack: Live from Las Vegas concluded here. The theatre reopened on 8th December 2005 with hosting of performances from the Royal Shakespeare Companys annual London season. Shows that ran here during the period include four week run of each of Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Nights Dream and As You like It.

In 2006, Footloose starring Cheryl Baker made its West End debut here. Royal Shakespeare Company made its return to the auditorium of Novello Theatre London following the commencement of the musical in 2006. The currently running show in the house is ABBA classic Mamma Mia, featuring most of the back catalogue hits of the band, the musical is a respite for vision.

by: David Jonson

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