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THE
REFURBISHMENT OF THE NOVELLO THEATRE
The
Novello Theatre, known as the Waldorf, when
it opened on 22 May 1905 was designed by
the well-known theatre architect W.G.R.
Sprague. Like all theatres the Novello has
altered constantly since it opened in May
1905 reflecting fashion, the whims of the
lessees and sheer structural necessity owing
to bomb damage and high usage over long
periods of time. Thus, it was entirely fitting
that during its centenary year it should
enjoy the most substantial refurbishment
of its long history. The work, which was
undertaken by the architects, Arts Team
at RHWL, and the interior designer Clare
Ferraby, was highly sensitive to the Louis
XIV style interior, richly decorated with
marble and gilt, and to the original cream
and gold colour scheme. The auditorium was
completely redecorated, reseated and recarpeted,
and the ceiling painting, after the style
of Le Brun, cleaned and conserved. Throughout
the building specialist decorators brought
out the true beauty of the original plasterwork
detail. In many places it was gilded for
the first time giving audiences the opportunity
to appreciate the panels and friezes adorned
with fruit and foliage and the various musical
trophies. While
being period sensitive the theatre must
also move forward to meet increased public
expectation of front of house spaces and
facilities. At the Novello major limitations
were imposed on such improvements by the
awkward shape of the site on which the theatre
is built. However, both the stalls and the
grand circle bars were extended. The stalls
bar, now known as Ivor’s Bar, is appropriately
hung with a selection of Novello memorabilia
and of course the Folco Romanelli bust,
kindly donated to the theatre by the Ivor
Novello Appreciation Bureau, sits in a special
niche by the entrance. The relocation of
offices at grand circle level enabled this
bar, now called the Waldorf Bar, to expand
across the front of the building and enjoy
views of the Strand and Aldwych never previously
experienced. Here too Novello is
well
represented with production photographs
of Glamorous Night and a recently installed
display case containing personal items such
as his crocodile skin ink blotter and special
presents he was given by cast and company
members appearing in his shows. Following
its £4.5 million and 7 month refurbishment
the theatre reopened on 8 December 2005
under its new name, the Novello, in tribute
to Ivor Novello who lived in a flat above
the theatre for 38 years. It was here that
he wrote many of his best-known musicals
and here too that he gave many a glamorous
party.
Rosy Runciman
Archivist
Delfont Mackintosh Theatres
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..........Display
in the Waldorf Bar...........
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