formerly
STRAND
| NOVELLO formerly STRAND Aldwych WC2
The theatre was built as one of a pair
with the Aldwych Theatre on either side of the Waldorf Hotel, both
being designed by W.G.R. Sprague. The theatre opened as the Waldorf
Theatre on 22 May 1905, and was renamed the Strand Theatre, in 1909. It
was again renamed as the Whitney Theatre, in 1911 before again becoming
the Strand Theatre, in 1913. In 2005, the theatre was the Novello
Theatre in honour of Ivor Novello, who lived in a flat above the
theatre from 1913 to 1951.
Décor: Felling of elevation on entrance through grand D-shaped porch, up stairs and into plush foyer with imposing double staircase. Auditorium has opulent air with black and brown streaked marble, red velvet, masonry swathes of fruit and a grand chandelier hanging from a fresco of painted gods. Capacity 1,050
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