Novello Theatre
Aldwych, London , WC2B 4LD

Nearest underground:
Temple (District Line, Circle Line)

Nearest rail:
Charing Cross

Initially christened The Waldorf in 1905, it is now the grand hotel next door that bears the name, whilst the theatre was briefly renamed The Whitney, then the Strand in 1913, and from May 2005, the Novello. It was planned along with the hotel and the near identical Aldwych Theatre as making up one row and designed in grandiose classical style by W. G. R. Sprague. It boasts an elegant interior too, with marble, brass, cupids and dainty figurines adorning the theatre.

The Novello has had some turbulent and eyebrow-raising episodes in its past. As bombs fell during a 1915 performance of The Scarlet Pimpernel, actor-manager Fred Terry (great-uncle to John Gielgud) strode down the aisles, reassuring nervous patrons before continuing the play. And after a bomb fell onto the dressing rooms in 1940, incredibly the actors salvaged their costumes and went up on stage. The Novello is also notable for hosting Britain ’s longest running comedy; No Sex Please, We’re British opened here and ran from 1971 to 1986 before transferring.

What's on at Novello Theatre

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