The Stage

Mackintosh to rechristen Albery and Strand in tribute to Coward and Novello

Published Monday 23 May 2005 at 18:40

Cameron Mackintosh will rename two of his West End venues, the Albery and the Strand, in honour of Noel Coward and Ivor Novello respectively.

Mackintosh said his decision was inspired by the duo’s personal connections with the theatres:

“As I have put together my group of theatres, I have wanted to give them a sense of identity as well as bring the buildings into the 21st century.

“Ivor Novello’s personal connection with the Strand made Novello an obvious choice and I’ve long thought the legendary Noel Coward deserved an honour in the West End, a place he did so much to glamorise.”

The Albery staged Coward’s debut play, I’ll Leave it to You, in 1920 while Novello spent his final years in a flat at Number 11 Aldwych, situated over the Strand.

Both theatres are the subjects of a multimillion pound refurbishment. By 2007 Mackintosh will actively control a total of seven London theatres, including the Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, Strand, Queen’s, Gielgud, Albery and Wyndhams. He also plans to build a 500-seat studio venue over the Queen’s site.

The latter will also be named after one of Mackintosh’s musical favourites, the composer Stephen Sondheim. In 1995, he renamed another of his venues, the then Globe, in honour of Sir John Gielgud.

In recent years Mackintosh has invested heavily in theatreland, both in his own venues and the local area.