Embassy Theatre (London)

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Embassy Theatre
Eton Avenue Hall, Hampstead Conservatoire
Embassy Theatre London.jpg
Embassy Theatre (London)
Address64 Eton Avenue
London
United Kingdom
Coordinates 51°32′39″N0°10′26″W / 51.5442°N 0.1738°W / 51.5442; -0.1738
Public transit Swiss Cottage (Jubilee line)
Owner Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Capacity 234 [1]
Construction
Opened1890
Rebuilt1928, 1945, 2003
ArchitectAndrew Mather

The Embassy Theatre is a theatre at 64 Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, in the London Borough of Camden, England. [2]

Contents

Early years

The Embassy Theatre was opened as a repertory company in September 1928 on the initiative of Sybil Arundale and Herbert Jay., [3] when the premises of Hampstead Conservatoire of Music were adapted by architect Andrew Mather. [4] The following were some of its productions:

From September 1930 to March 1932 the theatre was directed by Alec L. Rea [10] and A. R. Whatmore. [11] Productions included:

Ronald Adam years

Control then passed to Ronald Adam (also known as Ronald Adams), [4] who remained at the helm until 1939. During that time he made over 150 new productions and revivals, of which over thirty were then transferred to various theatres in the West End. [20] The Embassy school of acting was opened in the theatre in 1932. [21] Some of the more notable productions at the theatre were:

Ronald Adam's own list of significant transfers in that period was Ten Minute Alibi, Close Quarters, The Dominant Sex, Professor Bernhardi , Judgment Day. [20]

Post-war period

After war damage, the building was reopened in 1945, with a capacity of 678. [21] It was then run until 1954 by Anthony Hawtrey. [22] Notable productions included:

In 1953, it was sold to Sidney Bernstein, [4] with management by screenwriter and playwright Wolf Mankowitz. Notable productions included:

Central School

The theatre was sold to the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, who continue as the resident company, in 1956. [21]

Notable productions have included the premiere of Mad Forest in 1990.

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References

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  49. Who's Who in the Theatre: Johns, Glynis
  50. Who's Who in the Theatre: Lacey, Catherine
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  52. Who's Who in the Theatre: Leaver, Philip
  53. Milly S. Barranger (2004). Margaret Webster: A Life in the Theater. University of Michigan Press. ISBN   0472113909.
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  56. The Times obituary Joyce Blair [ dead link ]
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General references