St Martin’s Theatre

West Street / North section: St Martin’s Theatre
24
Ambassadors Theatre
St Martin's Theatre

Designations

Listing
Grade II
Building of Merit
No
Shopfront of Merit
No

Appraisal

St Martin's Theatre, West Street

Located at the south-eastern corner of Tower Court, the theatre was designed by the great Edwardian theatre architect W.G.R. Sprague for Lord Willoughby De Broke and planned as a companion to the neighbouring Ambassadors Theatre. However, building work was held up by the Great War and the theatre was only completed in 1916.

Elegant four-storey, classically-detailed, richly modelled, painted ashlar stone elevation of Edwardian Baroque character to West Street with a short return elevation to Tower Court. The elevations, including the bronze projecting canopy, retain much of their original character. The interior was decorated in English Georgian style rather than theatre rococo, the proscenium being constructed of walnut. The stage survives in unaltered condition as a rare example of an Edwardian wooden stage. By contrast to the Ambassadors Theatre, the external advertising and signing is reticent and well considered. The theatre is the home of the West End’s longest running production, Agatha Christie’s 'The Mousetrap'.

A grade II listed building of particular architectural and historic interest and townscape value contributing positively to the character, appearance and significance of the Seven Dials Conservation Area.

Relevant Guidance

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Photographs

  1. St Martins Theatre
  2. St Martins Theatre, West Street (c. 1920). Courtesy Westminster City Archives

Photograph Copyrights and how to Credit the Trust

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"Images © the Seven Dials Trust, www.sevendialscoventgarden.study"

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