Novello Theatre
Theatre build date:
1905
History:
The construction of the Aldwych area at the top of the Strand had seen the demolition of a number of streets of houses, shops and two theatres. To crown the magnificent new Aldwych, a vast complex was built, consisting of the Waldorf hotel flanked by two theatres, the Aldwych and the Novello. Orginally called the Waldorf Theatre, the Novello opened in 1905 with a season of operas and plays presented by the famous Italian actress Eleanora Duse. Between 1909 and 1913, the theatre had three name changes, from the Waldorf to the Strand, from the Strand to the Whitney and then back to the Strand theatre, which it stuck with until 2005.
The theatre had some tremendous success in the twentieth century, with Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) running for 1,337 performances and No Sex Please, We’re British (1982) playing out its remaining ten years after six years at the Garrick. After refurbishment in 2005, the theatre became the Novello, named in honour of Ivor Novello who had an apartment above the theatre from 1913 to 1951.
The Zoonation dance spectacular Into The Hoods marks the end of what has been a run of surprisingly bad luck for the Novello. The highly anticipated transfer of Broadway hit The Drowsy Chaperone was a surprise flop closing after only two months in 2007 despite an impressive cast that included Elaine Paige and Summer Strallen. Also in 2007, a lively stage adaptation of the cult movie Desperately Seeking Susan featuring the hits of Blondie also failed to capture the British public’s imagination, closing four weeks after it opened. Into the Hoods is currently one of the West End’s most unique attractions and has been the surprise hit of the year.
Previously called:
Waldorf Theatre
Strand Theatre
Whitney Theatre
Previously showing:
Shadowlands (2007)
Desperately Seeking Susan (2007)
The Drowsy Chaperone (2007)
The Tempest (2007)
Antony and Cleopatra (2007)
Much Ado About Nothing (2006)
Footloose (2006)
Close to:
Waterloo Bridge
Covent Garden Piazza
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Contact Details
Novello Theatre
Aldwych
WC2B 4LD
For all ticket enquiries, call:
0871 789 1004
Map
Facilities
Theatre capacity:
1,050
Stage door location:
The Novello Theatre stage door is located to the rear of the building on Tavistock Street.
Theatre layout:
Arranged on four levels: stalls, Dress Circle, Upper Circle and balcony, each section is a single block with no aisles. Well positioned tiers mean each level offers clear views regardless of height, although all four levels have their ends seats restricted by uncomfortable viewing angles.
High safety barriers mean shorter theatregoers in the front rows of the Dress Circle, Upper Circle and the balcony might have trouble seeing the stage. Although there are no boxes available at the Novello, slip seats at Dress Circle and Upper Circle level suffer severely restricted views.
Air conditioned:
Yes
