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The Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street |
Revival at historic Arts Theatre
Business partnership announces three-year lease at Leicester Square venue
THE curtains are being dusted off in famous Leicester Square venue the Arts Theatre after the owners announced it will reopen under new management.
Launched in 1927, it was originally set up as a private member’s theatre to get around the strict censorship laws of the Lord Chamberlain, going on to stage dozens of big ticket productions including the first London premiere of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.
But the footlights have been turned off since July, fueling speculation that bulldozers were being readied to move in on the site in Great Newport Street.
The announcement that the 347-seat venue will reopen – under a partnership between theatre investment group Kingdom Entertainment Group and Wimpole Theatre – has been welcomed by campaigners who have been fighting a lengthy battle to ensure any new development would be an improvement on the historic venue.
However, the three-year lease has been interpreted as a sign that the seats may soon lay empty again.
Managing director of Mark Goucher Ltd, James Woods, who is advising Wimpole on the project, stressed that the uncertainty will not impinge on the quality of productions.
“We’re not interested in any other area of development, just the theatre – as an ongoing, dynamic theatre,” he said. “As part of any future development, the owner fully wants to retain this place as an active theatre.
“Wimpole would not have entered into this lease if that were not the case.”
Owners Consolidated Developments recently withdrew a planning application to redevelop the theatre – part of a wider development in the street including a luxury hotel.
No programming has yet been unveiled for the theatre but a facelift has been promised before the January reopening.
John Levitt from Save London’s Theatres said: “I think it’s good the theatre is going to be back in action but I get the feeling it will be temporary.
“I just hope it isn’t a quick- fix and that there is a commitment to good theatre, especially in such a famous venue.
“There have been so many managers in there, and what it needs is a bit of stability.” |
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