Saville Theatre

Infobox Theatre
name = Saville Theatre


caption = Fill image
address = Shaftesbury Avenue
city = Westminster, London
country =
designation =
latitude = 51.514269
longitude = -0.128242
architect = Sir Thomas Bennett, with Bertie Crewe
owner = Odeon Cinemas
capacity = 1,426 (1931)
type = Cinema
opened = 8 October 1931
yearsactive = 1931 - 1969
rebuilt = Renovated, as cinema, 2001
closed = December 1969
othernames = ABC Shaftesbury Avenue
production =
currentuse = Odeon Covent Garden
website = The Saville Theatre is a former West End theatre at 135 Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. The theatre opened in 1931, and became a music venue during the 1960s, finally being converted to a cinema in 1970.

History

Theatre years

The theatre was designed by the architect Sir Thomas Bennett, in consultation with Bertie Crewe, and opened on 8 October 1931, with a play with music by H.F. Maltby, "For The Love Of Mike" [http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/SavilleTheatre.htm Saville Theatre history at Arthur Lloyd] accessed 28 Aug 2008] .

The theatre benefited from a capacity of 1,426 on three levels and a stage that was convert|31.5|ft|m|1 wide, with a depth of convert|30.5|ft|m|1. The interior was opulent, "The Stage" reviewed the new theatre on its opening

"The stalls bar and saloon lounge adjoining, will please the public, special care has been exercised in their equipment and decoration. The bar, which has mural paintings by Mr A. R. Thompson, is 18 ft by 54 ft in front of the counters, while the lounge, which is also decorated by the same artist, is 42 ft by 40 ft. There is a sort of shopping arcade in and about the lounge, as in the up-to-date hotels, and it is quite big enough for tea dances or concerts. So comfortable, indeed, are the lounge and the bar at the Saville, that it is to be feared that something more than a warning bell will be necessary to clear them"

The theatre was damaged by bombing in 1941, but reopened quickly allowing "Up and Running" by Firth Shephard to complete a run of 603 performances. In 1955, the interior was completely refurbished by Laurence Irving, and John Collins created a new mural for the stalls bar. In 1963, a musical adaption of the "Pickwick Papers" premièred on July 4, 1963, featuring Harry Secombe in his first role in a musical. It was a success, remaining in the West End for two years and going on to tour the US, with a run on Broadway. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,471984,00.html "Sir Harry Secombe dies" 11 April 2001] ("The Guardian") accessed 2 Feb 2008]

Epstein years

Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles and himself a former drama student, bought the theatre in 1965, presenting both plays (including works by Arnold Wesker) and rock and roll shows. The venue became notorious for its Sunday night concerts, during one by Chuck Berry members of the audience stormed the stage and the police were called to clear the theatre.

The venue also saw the last UK appearance of The Jimi Hendrix Experience (on 4 June 1967) before their groundbreaking Monterey Pop Festival performance. The Move and Procol Harum also appeared on the bill. Yoko Ono performed there in 1967, in front of a projection of her film "Bottoms" ("Film No. 5"), and using smoke machines to fill the auditorium. An eclectic mix of bands such as Nirvana, Cream, Fairport Convention, the Incredible String Band and The Bee Gees, also appeared there. [ [http://www.marmalade-skies.co.uk/sep1967.htm "September 1967" (Marmalade Skies, British psychedelia)] ]

The Beatles themselves borrowed the Saville to make their "Hello, Goodbye" promo (an early music video) in 1967. While the promo did air in the United States, it wasn't allowed on British television because of a restriction on mimed performances.

Epstein died in August 1967, with the late show cancelled, as a mark of respect and soon after, the theatre was sold. In 1969, the theatre returned to presenting theatrical productions and under the new management it presented the London première of "The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui", a production that brought Leonard Rossiter to public attention. The last play to be performed at the theatre was "Enemy" by Robert Maugham, opening for a short run in December 1969.

Cinema years

The Saville was taken over by ABC Theatres (owned by EMI) in 1970 and converted to a two screen cinema. The conversion was undertaken by William Ryder and Associates. It opened on 22 December 1970 with ABC1 seating 616, and ABC2 581. The stage area became administration offices and little of the original theatre internal structure remains. In 2001, the building was taken over by the Odeon cinema group and is now the four screen Odeon Covent Garden cinema.

The exterior of the theatre retains many of the 1930s details, although the wrought iron window on the frontage, has been replaced by glass blocks. A sculptured frieze around the building for nearly convert|130|ft|m|0, remains and represents 'Drama Through The Ages'.

aville Theatre productions

* "For the Love of Mike" (1931)
* "Tell Her the Truth" (1932) — musical
* "He Wanted Adventure" (1933)
* "Jill Darling" (1934) — musical
* "Here Come the Boys" (1946)
* "Gay's the Word" (1951) — musical
* "Zuleika" (1957) — musical
* "Pickwick" (1963) — musical

References

* [http://cinematreasures.org/theater/911 Cinema Treasures — Odeon Covent Garden]
* "Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950", John Earl and Michael Sell pp. 139 (Theatres Trust, 2000) ISBN 0-7136-5688-3

External links

* [http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/SavilleTheatre.htm History of the Saville Theatre] With Images and original Programmes.