The Noel Coward Theatre opened in 1903 and was originally named the New Theatre. In 1973 it was renamed the Albery Thetre in tribute to Sir Bronson Albery who managed the theatre for many years. Since September 2005, the theatre has been owned by Delfont-Mackintosh Ltd (the Mackintosh being London impresario Cameron Mackintosh, producer of "Les Miserables"). The Albery underwent major refurbishment in 2006 and was renamed the Noel Coward Theatre after one of Britain’s greatest playwright and actor. The first tenant of the renamed theatre is the Broadway import ‘Avenue Q’ which opened in June 2006 and recently celebrated its one year anniversary at this theatre.
The Noel Coward is one of London’s more intimate theatres fit for both plays and musicals. The theatre holds less than 900 patrons on four levels of seating. One recent triumph here is the 2001 hit revival of Noel Coward’s ‘Private Lives’ starring Alan Rickman (“Die Hard”, “Harry Potter”) and Lindsay Duncan (HBO’s “Rome” and “Under the Tuscan Sun”) as Elyot and Amanda in the classic comedy. The revival transferred to Broadway with its stars to equal success the next year where it won three Tony Awards (revival of a play, leading actress in a play, set design).
The theatre is located along St. Martin’s Lane which is sort of a border that separates Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square. Top photo is the theatre's facade. Bottom pic is a view looking north on St. Martin's Lane.
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