Savoy Theatre
Designed by C J Phipps and decorated by Collinson & Locke, the Savoy Theatre opened its doors on 10th October 1881 with a transfer of Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, Patience. Both the theatre and the adjacent Savoy Hotel, built in 1889, were financed by impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte from the considerable profits of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas.
The theatre became famous as the first public building in the world to be lit entirely by electricity and for the traffic quirk of Savoy Court which is the only road in Britain where cars are required by law to drive on the right hand side. This was a special privilege conferred by Parliament to enable visitors to the theatre to climb straight from their carriages into the theatre.
In June 1929 the Victorian auditorium was demolished and rebuilt by architect Frank Tugwell with decorative interior designs by Basil Ionides. The Theatre reopened in October 1929 with a revival of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers.
Following a major fire in February 1990, the theatre was restored back to its former Art Deco glory under the guidance of the theatre's late chairman, Sir Hugh Wontner, and the distinguished architect, Sir William Whitfield. The theatre reopened on 19th July 1993 with a Royal Gala performed by English National Ballet.
In 1997 The Savoy Group entrusted the management of the Savoy Theatre to a group led by Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen. The Ambassador Theatre Group and the Tulbart Group took over management of the 1,200 seat venue in October 2005 and in 2007, the theatre was sold to Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who bought the Savoy Hotel in 2005.
Address
Savoy Theatre
Savoy Court
Strand
London
WC2R 0ET
Transport / Accessibility
Nearest Tube: Charing Cross/Embankment
Nearest Rail: Charing Cross
Bus Routes: 14, 19, 22, 24, 29, 38, 40, 176
