Players' Theatre
After the war, it was acquired from the War Office by Leonard Sachs for the Players' Theatre. There were no fittings, and none of the paraphernalia for a theatre, but it was still opened within three weeks. Regular performers included Hattie Jacques, Bill Owen, Ian Carmichael, Clive Dunn, Ian Wallace and John Hewer, and featured newcomers on the bill including Daphne Anderson, Patsy Rowlands, Maggie Smith, Marian Studholme, Marion Grimaldi, and Margaret Burton. In 1953, Sandy Wilson provided a commissioned work for the theatre, known as The Boy Friend. In a full length version this eventually transferred to Wyndham's Theatre, and premièred in New York, with Julie Andrews in the starring role.
The Players theatre closed in 2002, New End Theatre attempted to revive the venue as the New Players' Theatre, however in 2005 reliquished the lease to The Pure Group, owners of the neighbouring Heaven. They continue to operate the 275 seat refurbished theatre for both theatrical performance, and as a conference centre.
Read more about this topic: Charing Cross Music Hall
Famous quotes containing the word theatre:
“To save the theatre, the theatre must be destroyed, the actors and actresses must all die of the plague. They poison the air, they make art impossible. It is not drama that they play, but pieces for the theatre. We should return to the Greeks, play in the open air; the drama dies of stalls and boxes and evening dress, and people who come to digest their dinner.”
—Eleonora Duse (1859–1924)