The theatre was originally built and opened as the Waldorf Theatre in 1905 with an Opera by Ferdinand Paer, ‘Il Maestro di Capella,’ which was part of the opening season of plays and operas presented by Eleanora Duse.
The novello theatre is located in Aldwych, right in the heart of London’s West End. It was built in 1905 along with its ‘sister’ The Aldwych Theatre, and was designed by W.G.R Sprague, one of theatres greatest architects. His work and designs have included many buildings in the west end including The Wyndhams Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre, Gielgud and Queens Theatre.
The Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting, established in 1955 in Novello’s memory, are awarded each year by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) to British songwriters and composers as well as to an outstanding international music writer.
It has also been known variously as the Whitney Theatre, the Strand Theatre (twice), and in 2005 it was renamed the Novello Theatre in honour of Ivor Novello, who lived in a flat over the Theatre for 38 years between 1913 and 1951 and wrote many of his most memorable musicals there. Ivor Novello was a Welsh Composer, Singer and Actor. He has become synonymous with the golden era of the British stage musical. In a remarkable career spanning some forty years he distinguished himself as an actor-manager and the composer of some of the most memorable musicals ever to grace the British stage
The Novello Theatre has had so many changes of name over the years that it is hard to keep up. (The Theatre is currently controlled by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Ltd where others in the group are Prince Edward Theatre, Prince of Wales, Queens Theatre, Wyndhams Theatre, Gielgud Theatre, and Noel Coward Theatre.)
There have been many long running productions at this theatre since it opened including The black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace and Stephen Sondheim’s musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
The theatre was extensively refurbished in 1930 and again in the early 1970s. It was Grade II listed by English Heritage on 20 July 1971. After The Rat Pack: Live From Las Vegas in 2005, its 100th anniversary year, the theatre was extensively refurbished.
Since 2005 the theatre has had a number of productions including Footloose, The Drowsy Chaperone, Desperately seeking Susan, The Royal Shakespeare Company – Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of The Shrew, and currently, Noises Off.
It’s not just musicals and plays in this theatre, but in July, Derren Brown will perform here for28 days only. So be prepared for a theatrical roller-coaster ride as the acknowledged master of psychological illusion gives audiences another opportunity to see this Olivier-nominated sensation.
In September 2012, the smash hit award winning musical Mamma Mia! Will transfer to The Novello Theatre.
The theatre has wheelchair access (off Catherine Street) and Infrared System for the hard of hearing. There are four licensed bars. Sam’s Bar is situated behind the foyer. The Shubert Bar is up 29 steps from the foyer. Ivor’s Bar at the back of the stalls and. The Waldorf Bar services the Grand Circle and Balcony areas. There are toilets located on every seating level in the auditorium.
The theatre is a short walk from Covent Garden and with many bus routes going by Aldwych it is very easy to get to. The closest main rail station is Charing Cross, and nearest underground stations are Covent Garden, Charing Cross and Holborn. If you have time, it’s always nice to walk in and around this area as there is so much going on and lots of street entertainment. The Novello Theatre could not be better located!