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Theatre History - 2/3
The house was taken over by the Bancrofts, who re-opened the Theatre with a revival, Money. The auditorium re-construction enclosed the stage in the first complete picture frame proscenium. The abolition of the pit by the introduction of stalls seating divided by plain iron arms set a formidable precedent and caused a small riot.
BeerbohmTree transfers from The Comedy Theatre with The Red Lamp, installs electric light and takes over after the retirement of the Bancrofts.
Oscar Wilde premieres his first comedy A Woman of No Importance, followed by An Ideal Husband.
Trilby ran for over 260 performances, from the profits of which Beerbohm Tree builds Her Majesty's Theatre across from the Haymarket, and established RADA.
Cyril Maude and Frederick Harrison become lessees, opening with Under the Red Robe, Stanley Wyman's adapted novel.
The Little Minister – J.M. Barrie with Cyril Maude and Winifred Emery. Music by Sir Alexander Mackenzie. 320 performances.
Fred Terry produces and premieres Sweet Nell of Old Drury.
Theatre closed for the rebuilding of the foundations front of curtain. Designed by Stanley Peach.
Maude acquired the Playhouse Theatre, The Old Avenue, upon which Charing Cross Station fell, and leaves Harrison in control.
Herbert Trench produces the acclaimed Maurice Maeterlinck's Blue Bird, translated by Teixeira DeMattos.
Celebrated 617 performances of Bunty Pulls the Strings, a Scottish comedy by Graham Moffat.
Ibsen's Ghosts premiere performance.
532 performances of General Post, a comedy by J.E.Harold Terry.
J.M.Barrie's Mary Rose had a run of 399 performances.
Harrison dies; Horace Watson becomes General Manager under a Trust. Ralph Richardson gives 610 performances of Yellow Sands.
Marie Tempest gives 632 performances of The First Mrs Fraser.
Under Stuart Watson the stalls bar was excavated, but not completed until 1941 owing to the War. John Gielgud produces a repertory season commencing with The Circle and Love for Love, followed by Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Duchess of Malfi.
Present Laughter (Noel Coward), Lady Windermere's Fan and The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde) alternated with This Happy Breed.
Stuart Watson dies and is succeeded by his son, Anthony.
John Gielgud directs School for Scandal with Ralph Richardson, Margaret Rutherford, Anna and Daniel Massey and The Tulip Tree (N.C.Hunter) with Celia Johnson, John Clemente, Lynn Redgrave.
Louis I Michaels becomes lessee, bringing classic grandeur such as Voyage Round My Father (John Mortimer) starring Alec Guinness, succeeded by Michael Redgrave.
Crown Matrimonial (Royce Ryton) with Wendy Hiller.
On Approval with Geraldine McEwan & Edward Woodward.
The Circle with Googie Withers and John McCallum.
Rosmersholm with Claire Bloom & Daniel Massey.
The Millionairess, with Penelope Keith and Waters of the Moon, starring Ingrid Bergman in her last stage engagement.
The Crucifer of Blood, with Keith Michell & Susan Hampshire.
Make and Break (Michael Frayn) with Leonard Rossiter.
Louis I Michaels, Impresario, dies. The Theatre is now owned by Louis I Michaels Ltd, with President, Enid Chanelle and Chairman, Arnold Crook, offering great British theatre such as Overheard with Peter Ustinov and Virginia with Maggie Smith.