Harold Pinter Theatre: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|West End theatre in London, England}}
{{About|the venue formerly known as the Comedy Theatre|the former Broadway venue|Comedy Theatre (New York City)}}
{{About|the venue formerly known as the Comedy Theatre|the former Broadway venue|Comedy Theatre (New York City)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
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|closed =
|closed =
|othernames = Comedy Theatre<br />Royal Comedy Theatre
|othernames = Comedy Theatre<br />Royal Comedy Theatre
|production =
|production = ''[[The Hills of California]]''
|currentuse =
|currentuse =
|website = {{URL|https://www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk}}
}}
}}
The '''Harold Pinter Theatre''', known as the '''Comedy Theatre''' until 2011,<ref name="bbc.co.uk">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14827867 "Harold Pinter has London theatre named after him"], ''BBC News'', 7 September 2011, accessed 8 September 2011.</ref> is a [[West End theatre]], and opened on Panton Street in the [[City of Westminster]], on 15 October 1881, as the Royal Comedy Theatre. It was designed by [[Thomas Verity]] and built in just six months in painted ([[stucco]]) stone and brick.<ref name="EH">[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1266093 English Heritage listing details] accessed 28 April 2007.</ref> By 1884 it was known as simply the Comedy Theatre. In the mid-1950s the theatre underwent major reconstruction and re-opened in December 1955; the auditorium remains essentially that of 1881, with three tiers of horseshoe-shaped balconies.<ref name=EH />
The '''Harold Pinter Theatre''', known as the '''Comedy Theatre''' until 2011,<ref name="bbc.co.uk">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14827867 "Harold Pinter has London theatre named after him"], ''BBC News'', 7 September 2011, accessed 8 September 2011.</ref> is a [[West End theatre]], and opened on Panton Street in the [[City of Westminster]], on 15 October 1881, as the Royal Comedy Theatre. It was designed by [[Thomas Verity]] and built in just six months in painted ([[stucco]]) stone and brick.<ref name="EH">[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1266093 English Heritage listing details] accessed 28 April 2007.</ref> By 1884 it was known as simply the Comedy Theatre. In the mid-1950s the theatre underwent major reconstruction and re-opened in December 1955; the auditorium remains essentially that of 1881, with three tiers of horseshoe-shaped balconies.<ref name=EH />
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[[File:Rip-van-winkle-1882.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|left|[[Fred Leslie]] as [[Rip Van Winkle (operetta)|Rip Van Winkle]], 1882]]
[[File:Rip-van-winkle-1882.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|left|[[Fred Leslie]] as [[Rip Van Winkle (operetta)|Rip Van Winkle]], 1882]]
The theatre opened on 15 October 1881 with [[Edmond Audran]]'s [[opéra comique]] ''[[La mascotte]]'' in an English adaptation by [[Robert Reece]] and [[Henry Brougham Farnie|H. B. Farnie]].<ref name=pmg/> ''La mascotte'' was followed by three more adaptations by Farnie: [[Franz von Suppé|Suppé's]] ''[[Boccaccio (operetta)|Boccaccio]]'', [[Robert Planquette|Planquette]]'s ''[[Rip Van Winkle (operetta)|Rip Van Winkle]]'' (with [[Frederick Hobson Leslie|Fred Leslie]] as Rip) in 1882,<ref name=mm49>Mander and Mitchenson, p. 49</ref> and [[Francis Chassaigne|Chassaigne's]] ''[[Le droit d'aînesse|Falka]]'' (with [[Violet Cameron]] in the title role in 1884.<ref>"''Falka'' at The Comedy", ''The Era'', 23 February 1884, p. 9</ref> The last of the series of operettas was ''[[Erminie]]'' in 1885,<ref>"Comedy Theatre", ''The Standard'', 10 November 1885, p. 5</ref> which starred, among others, [[Violet Melnotte]], who became the lessee of the theatre in that year. She presented plays including ''The Silver Shield'' by [[Sydney Grundy]]; and ''Sister Mary'' by [[Wilson Barrett]] and [[Clement Scott]] (1886), and a season of comic operas in which she appeared herself.<ref name=mm49/>
The theatre opened on 15 October 1881 with [[Edmond Audran]]'s [[opéra comique]] ''[[La mascotte]]'' in an English adaptation by [[Robert Reece]] and [[Henry Brougham Farnie|H. B. Farnie]].<ref name=pmg/> ''La mascotte'' was followed by three more adaptations by Farnie: [[Franz von Suppé|Suppé's]] ''[[Boccaccio (operetta)|Boccaccio]]'', [[Robert Planquette|Planquette]]'s ''[[Rip Van Winkle (operetta)|Rip Van Winkle]]'' (with [[Frederick Hobson Leslie|Fred Leslie]] as Rip) in 1882,<ref name=mm49>Mander and Mitchenson, p. 49</ref> and [[Francis Chassaigne|Chassaigne's]] ''[[Le droit d'aînesse|Falka]]'' (with [[Violet Cameron]] in the title role) in 1884.<ref>"''Falka'' at The Comedy", ''The Era'', 23 February 1884, p. 9</ref> The last of the series of operettas was ''[[Erminie]]'' in 1885,<ref>"Comedy Theatre", ''The Standard'', 10 November 1885, p. 5</ref> which starred, among others, [[Violet Melnotte]], who became the lessee of the theatre in that year. She presented plays including ''The Silver Shield'' by [[Sydney Grundy]]; and ''Sister Mary'' by [[Wilson Barrett]] and [[Clement Scott]] (1886), and a season of comic operas in which she appeared herself.<ref name=mm49/>


Melnotte sub-let the theatre in 1887 to [[Herbert Beerbohm Tree]] – his first venture into management – who presented and co-starred with [[Marion Terry]] in ''The Red Lamp'' by Outram Tristram.<ref>"The London Theatres", ''The Era'', 23 April 1887, p. 14</ref> The following year the sub-lessee was [[Charles Hawtrey (actor, born 1858)|Charles Hawtrey]], who ran the theatre until 1892 and produced ''Jane'' (1890) and many farces described by Mander and Mitchenson as "now-forgotten".<ref name=mm49/>
Melnotte sub-let the theatre in 1887 to [[Herbert Beerbohm Tree]] – his first venture into management – who presented and co-starred with [[Marion Terry]] in ''The Red Lamp'' by [[W. Outram Tristram|Outram Tristram]].<ref>"The London Theatres", ''The Era'', 23 April 1887, p. 14</ref> The following year the sub-lessee was [[Charles Hawtrey (actor, born 1858)|Charles Hawtrey]], who ran the theatre until 1892 and produced ''Jane'' (1890) and many farces described by Mander and Mitchenson as "now-forgotten".<ref name=mm49/>


[[File:Morrow The New Woman.jpg|thumb|upright|Poster for ''The New Woman'']]
[[File:Morrow The New Woman.jpg|thumb|upright|Poster for ''The New Woman'']]
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In the early years of the 20th century the Comedy was often used for special seasons and matinée performances of avant garde plays. [[Frank Benson (actor)|Frank Benson]] and his company, which included [[Lilian Braithwaite]] and [[Oscar Asche]], played a Shakespeare season in 1901.<ref>"Comedy Theatre", ''The Times'', 17 January 1901, p.3</ref> In 1902, [[Lewis Waller]] presented an adaption of ''[[Monsieur Beaucaire (novel)|Monsieur Beaucaire]]'' which ran for 430 performances.<ref>Parker, p. 1209</ref>
In the early years of the 20th century the Comedy was often used for special seasons and matinée performances of avant garde plays. [[Frank Benson (actor)|Frank Benson]] and his company, which included [[Lilian Braithwaite]] and [[Oscar Asche]], played a Shakespeare season in 1901.<ref>"Comedy Theatre", ''The Times'', 17 January 1901, p.3</ref> In 1902, [[Lewis Waller]] presented an adaption of ''[[Monsieur Beaucaire (novel)|Monsieur Beaucaire]]'' which ran for 430 performances.<ref>Parker, p. 1209</ref>


In 1904 [[Fred Terry]] and [[Julia Neilson]] played in ''Sunday'' for a run of 129 performances.<ref>Parker, p. 1214</ref> The following year [[Charles Frohman]] presented [[John Barrymore]] in his first London appearance in ''The Dictator''. In 1906 [[John Hare (actor)|John Hare]] presented a short season, appearing in ''The Alabaster Staircase'', and a revival of ''A Pair of Spectacles''. Other productions in the first decade of the century included ''[[Raffles stories and adaptations#Theatre|Raffles]]'' with [[Gerald du Maurier]] in the title role (1906), which ran for 351 performances;<ref>Parker, p. 1212</ref> 1907, a series of six dramas by [[Somerset Maugham]] and others starring [[Marie Tempest]] (1907–1909);<ref name=mm50>Mander and Mitchenson, p. 50</ref> and [[Marie Löhr]] in Pinero's ''Preserving Mr Panmure'' (1911). The final production to open before the [[First World War]] was ''[[Peg o' My Heart]]'', with [[Laurette Taylor]], which ran for 710 performances.<ref>Parker, p. 1198</ref>
In 1904 [[Fred Terry]] and [[Julia Neilson]] played in ''Sunday'' for a run of 129 performances.<ref>Parker, p. 1214</ref> The following year [[Charles Frohman]] presented [[John Barrymore]] in his first London appearance in ''The Dictator''. In 1906 [[John Hare (actor)|John Hare]] presented a short season, appearing in ''The Alabaster Staircase'', and a revival of ''A Pair of Spectacles''. Other productions in the first decade of the century included ''[[Raffles stories and adaptations#Theatre|Raffles]]'' with [[Gerald du Maurier]] in the title role (1906), which ran for 351 performances;<ref>Parker, p. 1212</ref> 1907, a series of six dramas by [[Somerset Maugham]] and others starring [[Marie Tempest]] (1907–1909);<ref name=mm50>Mander and Mitchenson, p. 50</ref> and [[Marie Löhr]] in Pinero's ''Preserving Mr Panmure'' (1911). The final production to open before the [[First World War]] was ''Peg o' My Heart'', with [[Laurette Taylor]], which ran for 710 performances.<ref>Parker, p. 1198</ref>


In 1915 the Comedy followed the fashion for [[revue]], presenting [[Albert de Courville]]'s ''Shell Out!'' (1915), [[C. B. Cochran]]'s ''Half-past Eight'' (1916), and four successive revues by [[André Charlot]]: ''This and That'' and ''See-Saw!'' (1916), and ''Bubbly'' and ''Tails Up'' (1918). They all ran well, particularly the last two, which ran for 429 and 467 performances respectively.<ref>Parker, pp. 12011 and 1214</ref>
In 1915 the Comedy followed the fashion for [[revue]], presenting [[Albert de Courville]]'s ''Shell Out!'' (1915), [[C. B. Cochran]]'s ''Half-past Eight'' (1916), and four successive revues by [[André Charlot]]: ''This and That'' and ''See-Saw!'' (1916), and ''Bubbly'' and ''Tails Up'' (1918). They all ran well, particularly the last two, which ran for 429 and 467 performances respectively.<ref>Parker, pp. 12011 and 1214</ref>
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The theatre established the New Watergate Club in 1956, under producer Anthony Field, to counter the stage censorship in force at the time.<ref>[http://www.bl.uk/projects/theatrearchive/field.html ''Interview with Anthony Field CBE'' 14 March, 2007(The Theatre Archive Project, British Library)] accessed 16 October 2007.</ref> The [[Theatres Act 1843]] was still in force and required scripts to be submitted for approval by the [[Lord Chamberlain's Office]]. Formation of the club allowed plays that had been banned due to language or subject matter to be performed under "club" conditions.
The theatre established the New Watergate Club in 1956, under producer Anthony Field, to counter the stage censorship in force at the time.<ref>[http://www.bl.uk/projects/theatrearchive/field.html ''Interview with Anthony Field CBE'' 14 March, 2007(The Theatre Archive Project, British Library)] accessed 16 October 2007.</ref> The [[Theatres Act 1843]] was still in force and required scripts to be submitted for approval by the [[Lord Chamberlain's Office]]. Formation of the club allowed plays that had been banned due to language or subject matter to be performed under "club" conditions.


Plays produced in this way included the UK premières of [[Arthur Miller]]'s ''[[A View from the Bridge]]'', [[Robert Woodruff Anderson|Robert Anderson]]'s ''[[Tea and Sympathy (play)|Tea and Sympathy]]'' and [[Tennessee Williams]]' ''[[Cat on a Hot Tin Roof]]''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=sRhSED-Up1UC&pg=PA205 Paul Ibell. ''Theatreland: A Journey Through the Heart of London's Theatre''.] Bloomsbury Publishing, 2009: p. 205</ref> The law was not revoked until 1968, but in the late 1950s there was a loosening of conditions in theatre censorship, the club was dissolved and [[Peter Shaffer]]'s ''[[Five Finger Exercise]]'' premièred to a public audience.<ref>[http://www.atgtickets.com/information.aspx?VId=667&cat=aboutus The Harold Pinter Theatre history] accessed 8 September 2011.</ref>
Plays produced in this way included the UK premières of [[Arthur Miller]]'s ''[[A View from the Bridge]]'', [[Robert Woodruff Anderson|Robert Anderson]]'s ''[[Tea and Sympathy (play)|Tea and Sympathy]]'' and [[Tennessee Williams]]' ''[[Cat on a Hot Tin Roof]]''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=sRhSED-Up1UC&pg=PA205 Paul Ibell. ''Theatreland: A Journey Through the Heart of London's Theatre''.] Bloomsbury Publishing, 2009: p. 205</ref> The law was not revoked until 1968, but in the late 1950s there was a loosening of conditions in theatre censorship, the club was dissolved and [[Peter Shaffer]]'s ''[[Five Finger Exercise]]'' premièred to a public audience.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}


The theatre was [[listed building|Grade II listed]] by [[English Heritage]] in June 1972.<ref name=EH/>
The theatre was [[listed building|Grade II listed]] by [[English Heritage]] in June 1972.<ref name=EH/>


⚫
In 2011 it was renamed the Harold Pinter Theatre, after the playwright [[Harold Pinter]].<ref>[https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/atg-renames-comedy-theatre-after-harold-pinter-117553/ ATG renames Comedy Theatre after Harold Pinter], ''Official London Theatre'', 7 September 2011, accessed 31 October 2017.</ref><ref name="bbc.co.uk"/>
==Renaming==
⚫
On 7 September 2011 it was announced that the theatre's owner, [[Ambassador Theatre Group]] (ATG) would be renaming the Comedy Theatre to the Harold Pinter Theatre from Thursday 13 October 2011.<ref>[https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/atg-renames-comedy-theatre-after-harold-pinter-117553/ ATG renames Comedy Theatre after Harold Pinter], ''Official London Theatre'', 7 September 2011, accessed 31 October 2017.</ref>


⚫
==Recent productions==
[[Howard Panter]], Joint Chief Executive and Creative Director of ATG, told the [[BBC]]: "The work of [[Harold Pinter|Pinter]] has become an integral part of the history of the Comedy Theatre. The renaming of one of our most successful West End theatres is a fitting tribute to a man who made such a mark on British theatre and who, over his 50-year career, became recognised as one of the most influential modern British dramatists."<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/>
⚫
* ''[[Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane]]'' (22 February – 15 April 2006) by [[Ray Galton]] and [[John Antrobus]]<ref>Billington, Michael. [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/feb/23/theatre "Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane"], ''The Guardian'', 10 May 2006</ref>

⚫
* ''[[Donkeys' Years]]'' (9 May – 15 December 2006) by [[Michael Frayn]], starring [[Samantha Bond]], [[David Haig]], [[Mark Addy]] and [[James Dreyfus]]<ref>Billington, Michael. [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/may/10/theatre "Donkey's Years"], ''The Guardian'', 23 February 2006</ref>
⚫
==Present productions==
⚫
* ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]'' (4–29 January 2007) by [[Richard O'Brien]], starring [[David Bedella]] and [[Suzanne Shaw]]
⚫
* ''[[Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane]]'' (22 February 2006 – 15 April 2006) by [[Ray Galton]] and [[John Antrobus]]<ref>Billington, Michael. [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/feb/23/theatre "Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane"], ''The Guardian'', 10 May 2006</ref>
⚫
* ''[[Donkeys' Years]]'' (9 May 2006 – 15 December 2006) by [[Michael Frayn]], starring [[Samantha Bond]], [[David Haig]], [[Mark Addy]] and [[James Dreyfus]]<ref>Billington, Michael. [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/may/10/theatre "Donkey's Years"], ''The Guardian'', 23 February 2006</ref>
⚫
* ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]'' (4 January 2007 – 29 January 2007) by [[Richard O'Brien]], starring [[David Bedella]] and [[Suzanne Shaw]]
* ''[[Boeing-Boeing (play)|Boeing-Boeing]]'' (15 February 2007 – 5 January 2008) by [[Marc Camoletti (playwright)|Marc Camoletti]], starring [[Roger Allam]], [[Frances de la Tour]], [[Elena Roger]], [[Mark Rylance]], [[Daisy Beaumont]], [[Tamzin Outhwaite]], [[Amy Nuttall]], [[Rhea Perlman]], [[Jean Marsh]], [[Jennifer Ellison]], [[Tracey-Ann Oberman]] and [[Kevin McNally]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2007/feb/16/theatre2 |title=Boeing-Boeing, Comedy, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Boeing-Boeing (play)|Boeing-Boeing]]'' (15 February 2007 – 5 January 2008) by [[Marc Camoletti (playwright)|Marc Camoletti]], starring [[Roger Allam]], [[Frances de la Tour]], [[Elena Roger]], [[Mark Rylance]], [[Daisy Beaumont]], [[Tamzin Outhwaite]], [[Amy Nuttall]], [[Rhea Perlman]], [[Jean Marsh]], [[Jennifer Ellison]], [[Tracey-Ann Oberman]] and [[Kevin McNally]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2007/feb/16/theatre2 |title=Boeing-Boeing, Comedy, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''The Lover''/''The Collection'' (29 January 2008 – 3 May 2008) by [[Harold Pinter]], starring [[Timothy West]], [[Gina McKee]], [[Charlie Cox]] and [[Richard Coyle]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/jan/30/theatre6 |title=Theatre review: The Lover/The Collection / Comedy Theatre, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''The Lover''/''The Collection'' (29 January – 3 May 2008) by [[Harold Pinter]], starring [[Timothy West]], [[Gina McKee]], [[Charlie Cox]] and [[Richard Coyle]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/jan/30/theatre6 |title=Theatre review: The Lover/The Collection / Comedy Theatre, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''Dickens Unplugged'' (9 June 2008 – 29 June 2008) by [[Adam Long (American actor)|Adam Long]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/jun/10/theatre |title=Theatre review: Dickens Unplugged / Comedy, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''Dickens Unplugged'' (9–29 June 2008) by [[Adam Long (American actor)|Adam Long]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/jun/10/theatre |title=Theatre review: Dickens Unplugged / Comedy, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Sunset Boulevard (musical)|Sunset Boulevard]]'' (15 December 2008 – 30 May 2009) by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]], directed by [[Craig Revel Horwood]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/dec/16/theatre-view-sunset-boulevard-stage |title=Theatre review: Sunset Boulevard / Comedy, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Sunset Boulevard (musical)|Sunset Boulevard]]'' (15 December 2008 – 30 May 2009) by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]], directed by [[Craig Revel Horwood]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/dec/16/theatre-view-sunset-boulevard-stage |title=Theatre review: Sunset Boulevard / Comedy, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Too Close to the Sun]]'' (24 July 2009 – 8 August 2009), world premiere of a new musical about [[Ernest Hemingway]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/jul/25/too-close-to-the-sun-review |title=Theatre review: Too Close to the Sun &#124; Comedy Theatre, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Too Close to the Sun]]'' (24 July – 8 August 2009), world premiere of a new musical about [[Ernest Hemingway]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/jul/25/too-close-to-the-sun-review |title=Theatre review: Too Close to the Sun &#124; Comedy Theatre, London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Prick Up Your Ears]]'' (30 September 2009 – 6 December 2009) by [[Simon Bent]], starring [[Matt Lucas]] and [[Chris New]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/oct/01/prick-up-your-ears-theatre-review |title=Prick Up Your Ears &#124; Theatre review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Prick Up Your Ears]]'' (30 September – 6 December 2009) by [[Simon Bent]], starring [[Matt Lucas]] and [[Chris New]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/oct/01/prick-up-your-ears-theatre-review |title=Prick Up Your Ears &#124; Theatre review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[The Misanthrope]]'' (17 December 2009 – 13 March 2010) by [[Molière]], starring [[Keira Knightley]], [[Damian Lewis]], [[Tara Fitzgerald]] and [[Dominic Rowan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/dec/18/the-misanthrope-keira-knightley-theatre |title=The Misanthrope &#124; Theatre review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[The Misanthrope]]'' (17 December 2009 – 13 March 2010) by [[Molière]], starring [[Keira Knightley]], [[Damian Lewis]], [[Tara Fitzgerald]] and [[Dominic Rowan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/dec/18/the-misanthrope-keira-knightley-theatre |title=The Misanthrope &#124; Theatre review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Mrs. Warren's Profession]]'' (25 March 2010 – 19 June 2010) by [[George Bernard Shaw]], starring [[Felicity Kendal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/apr/04/behud-mrs-warren-enchanted-review |title=Behud/Mrs Warren's Profession/Enchanted Palace &#124; Theatre review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |date=16 May 2019 |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Mrs. Warren's Profession]]'' (25 March – 19 June 2010) by [[George Bernard Shaw]], starring [[Felicity Kendal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/apr/04/behud-mrs-warren-enchanted-review |title=Behud/Mrs Warren's Profession/Enchanted Palace &#124; Theatre review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |date=16 May 2019 |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[La Bête (play)|La Bête]]'' (7 July 2010 – 4 September 2010) by [[David Hirson]], starring [[Mark Rylance]], [[David Hyde Pierce]] and [[Joanna Lumley]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/jul/08/la-bete-michael-billington |title=Review &#124; Theatre &#124; La Bête &#124; Comedy Theatre &#124; London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[La Bête (play)|La Bête]]'' (7 July – 4 September 2010) by [[David Hirson]], starring [[Mark Rylance]], [[David Hyde Pierce]] and [[Joanna Lumley]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/jul/08/la-bete-michael-billington |title=Review &#124; Theatre &#124; La Bête &#124; Comedy Theatre &#124; London &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Birdsong (play)|Birdsong]]'' (28 September 2010 – 15 January 2011) based on the book by [[Sebastian Faulks]], starring [[Ben Barnes (actor)|Ben Barnes]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/sep/29/birdsong-review-michael-billington |title=Birdsong &#124; Comedy, London &#124; Review &#124; Michael Billington &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Birdsong (play)|Birdsong]]'' (28 September 2010 – 15 January 2011) based on the book by [[Sebastian Faulks]], starring [[Ben Barnes (actor)|Ben Barnes]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/sep/29/birdsong-review-michael-billington |title=Birdsong &#124; Comedy, London &#124; Review &#124; Michael Billington &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''The Children's Hour'' (9 February 2011 – 7 May 2011) by [[Lillian Hellman]], starring [[Keira Knightley]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/feb/10/the-childrens-hour-review |title=The Children's Hour - review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''The Children's Hour'' (9 February – 7 May 2011) by [[Lillian Hellman]], starring [[Keira Knightley]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/feb/10/the-childrens-hour-review |title=The Children's Hour - review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Betrayal (play)|Betrayal]]'' (16 June 2011 – 20 August 2011) by [[Harold Pinter]], starring [[Kristin Scott Thomas]], [[Douglas Henshall]] and [[Ben Miles]]<ref>Official Comedy Theatre website.[http://www.ambassadortickets.com/2571/667/London/Comedy-Theatre/Betrayal-Tickets {{dead link|date=February 2019}} "Ambassador Theatre Group's AmbassadorTickets.com"], accessed 24 June 2011.</ref>
* ''[[Betrayal (play)|Betrayal]]'' (16 June – 20 August 2011) by [[Harold Pinter]], starring [[Kristin Scott Thomas]], [[Douglas Henshall]] and [[Ben Miles]]<ref>Official Comedy Theatre website.[http://www.ambassadortickets.com/2571/667/London/Comedy-Theatre/Betrayal-Tickets "Ambassador Theatre Group's AmbassadorTickets.com"]{{dead link|date=February 2019}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623195653/http://www.ambassadortickets.com/2571/667/London/Comedy-Theatre/Betrayal-Tickets |date=23 June 2011 }}, accessed 24 June 2011.</ref>
* ''[[Death and the Maiden (play)|Death and the Maiden]]'' (24 October 2011 – 21 January 2012) by [[Ariel Dorfman]] starring [[Thandie Newton]], [[Tom Goodman-Hill]] and [[Anthony Calf]]<ref>Official theatre website.[http://www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk "www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk"], accessed 8 September 2011.</ref>
* ''[[Death and the Maiden (play)|Death and the Maiden]]'' (24 October 2011 – 21 January 2012) by [[Ariel Dorfman]] starring [[Thandie Newton]], [[Tom Goodman-Hill]] and [[Anthony Calf]]<ref>Official theatre website.[http://www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk "www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk"], accessed 8 September 2011.</ref>
* ''[[Absent Friends (play)|Absent Friends]]'' (9 February 2012 – 14 April 2012) by [[Alan Ayckbourn]], starring [[Reece Shearsmith]], [[Kara Tointon]] and [[Elizabeth Berrington]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/feb/10/absent-friends-review |title=Absent Friends - review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Absent Friends (play)|Absent Friends]]'' (9 February – 14 April 2012) by [[Alan Ayckbourn]], starring [[Reece Shearsmith]], [[Kara Tointon]] and [[Elizabeth Berrington]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/feb/10/absent-friends-review |title=Absent Friends - review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[South Downs (play)|South Downs]]'' and ''[[The Browning Version (play)|The Browning Version]]'' (24 April 2012 – 21 July 2012) by [[Terence Rattigan]], starring [[Nicholas Farrell]], [[Anna Chancellor]] and [[Alex Lawther]]{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
* ''[[South Downs (play)|South Downs]]'' and ''[[The Browning Version (play)|The Browning Version]]'' (24 April – 21 July 2012) by [[Terence Rattigan]], starring [[Nicholas Farrell]], [[Anna Chancellor]] and [[Alex Lawther]]{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
* ''[[A Chorus of Disapproval (play)|A Chorus of Disapproval]]'' (27 September 2012 – 5 January 2013) by [[Alan Ayckbourn]], starring [[Rob Brydon]], [[Nigel Harman]] and [[Ashley Jensen]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/sep/27/a-chorus-of-disapproval-review |title=A Chorus of Disapproval – review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[A Chorus of Disapproval (play)|A Chorus of Disapproval]]'' (27 September 2012 – 5 January 2013) by [[Alan Ayckbourn]], starring [[Rob Brydon]], [[Nigel Harman]] and [[Ashley Jensen]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/sep/27/a-chorus-of-disapproval-review |title=A Chorus of Disapproval – review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Old Times]]'' (31 January 2013 – 6 April 2013) by [[Harold Pinter]], starring [[Rufus Sewell]], [[Kristin Scott Thomas]] and [[Lia Williams]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/jan/31/old-times-pinter-theatre-review |title=Old Times - review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Old Times]]'' (31 January – 6 April 2013) by [[Harold Pinter]], starring [[Rufus Sewell]], [[Kristin Scott Thomas]] and [[Lia Williams]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/jan/31/old-times-pinter-theatre-review |title=Old Times - review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
* ''Merrily We Roll Along'' (23 April – 27 July) by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth transferred from [[Menier Chocolate Factory]].
* ''[[Merrily We Roll Along (musical)|Merrily We Roll Along]]'' (23 April – 27 July 2013) by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth transferred from [[Menier Chocolate Factory]].
*''[[Chimerica (play)|Chimerica]]'' (7 August 2013 – 19 October 2013) by [[Lucy Kirkwood]], starring [[Claudie Blakley]] and [[Stephen Campbell Moore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/may/29/chimerica-review |title=Chimerica – review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Chimerica (play)|Chimerica]]'' (7 August – 19 October 2013) by [[Lucy Kirkwood]], starring [[Claudie Blakley]] and [[Stephen Campbell Moore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/may/29/chimerica-review |title=Chimerica – review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Mojo (play)|Mojo]]'' (13 November 2013 – 8 February 2014) by [[Jez Butterworth]], starring [[Brendan Coyle]], [[Rupert Grint]] and [[Ben Whishaw]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/nov/13/mojo-review |title=Mojo – review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Mojo (play)|Mojo]]'' (13 November 2013 – 8 February 2014) by [[Jez Butterworth]], starring [[Brendan Coyle]], [[Rupert Grint]] and [[Ben Whishaw]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/nov/13/mojo-review |title=Mojo – review &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Relative Values (play)|Relative Values]]'' (14 April 2014 – 21 June 2014) by [[Noël Coward]], starring [[Patricia Hodge]], [[Caroline Quentin]] and [[Rory Bremner]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Matt Trueman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/feb/17/bath-theatre-royal-2014-summer-season-alison-steadman |title=Theatre Royal Bath announces 2014 summer season &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Relative Values (play)|Relative Values]]'' (14 April – 21 June 2014) by [[Noël Coward]], starring [[Patricia Hodge]], [[Caroline Quentin]] and [[Rory Bremner]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Matt Trueman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/feb/17/bath-theatre-royal-2014-summer-season-alison-steadman |title=Theatre Royal Bath announces 2014 summer season &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'' (17 July 2014 – 20 September 2014) by [[Oscar Wilde]], starring [[Siân Phillips]], [[Nigel Havers]] and [[Martin Jarvis (actor)|Martin Jarvis]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/jul/17/the-importance-of-being-earnest-review |title=The Importance of Being Earnest review – trivialises sublime Wilde &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'' (17 July – 20 September 2014) by [[Oscar Wilde]], starring [[Siân Phillips]], [[Nigel Havers]] and [[Martin Jarvis (actor)|Martin Jarvis]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/jul/17/the-importance-of-being-earnest-review |title=The Importance of Being Earnest review – trivialises sublime Wilde &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Sunny Afternoon (musical)|Sunny Afternoon]]'' (28 October 2014 – 29 October 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/oct/28/sunny-afternoon-kinks-musical |title=Sunny Afternoon review: a heady celebration of the Kinks and Ray Davies &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Sunny Afternoon (musical)|Sunny Afternoon]]'' (28 October 2014 – 29 October 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/oct/28/sunny-afternoon-kinks-musical |title=Sunny Afternoon review: a heady celebration of the Kinks and Ray Davies &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Nice Fish]]'' (25 November 2016 – 11 February 2017) by [[Mark Rylance]] and [[Louis Jenkins (poet)|Louis Jenkins]], starring [[Mark Rylance]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/nov/25/nice-fish-review-mark-rylance-harold-pinter-theatre-london |title=Nice Fish review – Mark Rylance reels them in with kooky comedy &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Nice Fish]]'' (25 November 2016 – 11 February 2017) by [[Mark Rylance]] and [[Louis Jenkins (poet)|Louis Jenkins]], starring [[Mark Rylance]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/nov/25/nice-fish-review-mark-rylance-harold-pinter-theatre-london |title=Nice Fish review – Mark Rylance reels them in with kooky comedy &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?]]'' (9 March 2017 – 27 May 2017) by [[Edward Albee]], starring [[Imelda Staunton]] and [[Conleth Hill]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/mar/09/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf-review-imelda-staunton-albee-conleth-hill-harold-pinter-theatre |title=Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? review – Staunton ignites Albee's marital battle &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?]]'' (9 March – 27 May 2017) by [[Edward Albee]], starring [[Imelda Staunton]] and [[Conleth Hill]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/mar/09/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf-review-imelda-staunton-albee-conleth-hill-harold-pinter-theatre |title=Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? review – Staunton ignites Albee's marital battle &#124; Stage |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>
*''[[Hamlet]]'' (15 June 2017 – 2 September 2017) by [[William Shakespeare]], starring [[Andrew Scott (actor)|Andrew Scott]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/jun/25/hamlet-andrew-scott-harold-pinter-theatre-west-end-transfer-review-robert-icke|title=Hamlet review – an all-consuming marvel|first=Kate|last=Kellaway|date=25 June 2017|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[Hamlet]]'' (15 June – 2 September 2017) by [[William Shakespeare]], starring [[Andrew Scott (actor)|Andrew Scott]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/jun/25/hamlet-andrew-scott-harold-pinter-theatre-west-end-transfer-review-robert-icke|title=Hamlet review – an all-consuming marvel|first=Kate|last=Kellaway|date=25 June 2017|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[Oslo (play)|Oslo]]'' (11 October 2017 – 30 December 2017) by [[J. T. Rogers]], starring [[Toby Stephens]] and [[Lydia Leonard]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/sep/18/oslo-review-1993-peace-talks-national-theatre|title=Oslo review – the political gets personal as tense peace talks are given epic sweep|first=Michael|last=Billington|date=18 September 2017|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[Oslo (play)|Oslo]]'' (11 October – 30 December 2017) by [[J. T. Rogers]], starring [[Toby Stephens]] and [[Lydia Leonard]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/sep/18/oslo-review-1993-peace-talks-national-theatre|title=Oslo review – the political gets personal as tense peace talks are given epic sweep|first=Michael|last=Billington|date=18 September 2017|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[The Birthday Party (play)|The Birthday Party]]'' (18 January 2018 – 14 April 2018) by [[Harold Pinter]], starring [[Toby Jones]], [[Stephen Mangan]] and [[Zoë Wanamaker]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/jan/18/the-birthday-party-review-harold-pinter-jones-wanamaker-mangan-mackie|title=The Birthday Party review – Pinter's cryptic classic turns 60 with a starry cast|first=Michael|last=Billington|date=18 January 2018|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[The Birthday Party (play)|The Birthday Party]]'' (18 January – 14 April 2018) by [[Harold Pinter]], starring [[Toby Jones]], [[Stephen Mangan]] and [[Zoë Wanamaker]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/jan/18/the-birthday-party-review-harold-pinter-jones-wanamaker-mangan-mackie|title=The Birthday Party review – Pinter's cryptic classic turns 60 with a starry cast|first=Michael|last=Billington|date=18 January 2018|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[Consent (play)|Consent]]'' (29 May 2018 – 11 August 2018) by [[Nina Raine]], starring [[Adam James (actor)|Adam James]], [[Stephen Campbell Moore]] and [[Claudie Blakley]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/may/29/consent-review-aeschylus-with-better-jokes-nina-raine|title=Consent review – bracingly clever courtroom drama|first=Natalie|last=Haynes|date=29 May 2018|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[Consent (play)|Consent]]'' (29 May – 11 August 2018) by [[Nina Raine]], starring [[Adam James (actor)|Adam James]], [[Stephen Campbell Moore]] and [[Claudie Blakley]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/may/29/consent-review-aeschylus-with-better-jokes-nina-raine|title=Consent review – bracingly clever courtroom drama|first=Natalie|last=Haynes|date=29 May 2018|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''Ian McKellen On Stage: Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others and You'' (20 September 2019 – 5 January 2020) starring [[Ian McKellen]]
*''Ian McKellen On Stage: Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others and You'' (20 September 2019 – 5 January 2020) starring [[Ian McKellen]]
*''[[Uncle Vanya]]'' (23 January 2020 – 2 May 2020) by [[Anton Chekhov]], adapted by [[Conor McPherson]], starring [[Toby Jones]] and [[Richard Armitage (actor)|Richard Armitage]] (closed early due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]])
*''[[Uncle Vanya]]'' (23 January – 2 May 2020) by [[Anton Chekhov]], adapted by [[Conor McPherson]], starring [[Toby Jones]] and [[Richard Armitage (actor)|Richard Armitage]] (closed early due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]])
*''The Watsons'' (19 May 2020 – 26 September 2020) (cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]])
*''The Watsons'' (19 May – 26 September 2020) (cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]])
*''[[Blithe Spirit (play)|Blithe Spirit]]'' (16 September 2021 - 6 November 2021) by [[Noël Coward]], starring [[Jennifer Saunders]] (production was previously playing at the [[Duke of York's Theatre]] when theatres closed due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]])
*''[[Blithe Spirit (play)|Blithe Spirit]]'' (16 September – 6 November 2021) by [[Noël Coward]], starring [[Jennifer Saunders]] (production was previously playing at the [[Duke of York's Theatre]] when theatres closed due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]])
*''[[Four Quartets]]'' (18 November 2021 - 18 December 2021) by [[T. S. Elliot]], starring [[Ralph Fiennes]]
*''[[Four Quartets]]'' (18 November – 18 December 2021) by [[T. S. Eliot]], starring [[Ralph Fiennes]]
*''David Suchet - Poirot and More, A Retrospective'' (4 January 2022 - 22 January 2022) starring [[David Suchet]]
*''David Suchet - Poirot and More, A Retrospective'' (4–22 January 2022) starring [[David Suchet]]
*''[[The Human Voice]]'' (17 March – 9 April 2022), by [[Jean Cocteau]], starring [[Ruth Wilson]]
⚫
*''[[Cyrano de Bergerac (play)|Cyrano de Bergerac]]'' (3 February 2022 - 12 March 2022) starring [[James McAvoy]] (The [[Jamie Lloyd (director)|Jamie Lloyd]] Theatre Company)
*''[[Prima Facie]]'' (15 April 2022 - 18 June 2022) by [[Suzie Miller]], starring [[Jodie Comer]]
*''[[Prima Facie (play)|Prima Facie]]'' (15 April – 18 June 2022) by [[Suzie Miller]], starring [[Jodie Comer]]
*''[[The Seagull]]'' (29 June 2022 - 10 September 2022) by [[Anton Chekhov]], starring [[Emilia Clarke]] (The [[Jamie Lloyd (director)|Jamie Lloyd]] Theatre Company)
*''[[Good (play)|Good]]'' (5 October 2022 – 7 January 2023) by [[C.P. Taylor]], starring [[David Tennant]]
*''Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons'' (18 January – 18 March 2023) by Sam Steiner, starring [[Jenna Coleman]] and [[Aidan Turner]]
*''[[A Little Life]]'' (25 March – 18 June 2023) based on the novel by [[Hanya Yanagihara]], starring [[James Norton (actor)|James Norton]], [[Luke Thompson (actor)|Luke Thompson]] and [[Omari Douglas]]
*''[[Dr. Semmelweis]]'' (29 June – 7 October 2023) starring [[Mark Rylance]]
*''Lyonesse'' (17 October – 23 December 2023) by [[Penelope Skinner]], starring [[Kristin Scott Thomas]] and [[Lily James]]
*''[[The Hills of California]]'' (27 January - 15 June 2024) by [[Jez Butterworth]], starring [[Laura Donnelly]]
*''[[Macbeth]]'' (1 October - 14 December 2024) by [[William Shakespeare]], starring [[David Tennant]] and [[Cush Jumbo]]


===Pinter at the Pinter season===
===Pinter at the Pinter season===
*''[[The Lover (play)|The Lover]]'' and ''[[The Collection (play)|The Collection]]'' (27 September 2018 – 20 October 2018)<ref name=p1>Billington, Michael. [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/sep/28/pinter-at-the-pinter-theatre-review-antony-sher-suchet-squires "Pinter at the Pinter review"], ''The Guardian'', 28 September 2018</ref>
*''[[The Lover (play)|The Lover]]'' and ''[[The Collection (play)|The Collection]]'' (27 September – 20 October 2018)<ref name=p1>Billington, Michael. [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/sep/28/pinter-at-the-pinter-theatre-review-antony-sher-suchet-squires "Pinter at the Pinter review"], ''The Guardian'', 28 September 2018</ref>
*''[[One for the Road (Pinter play)|One for the Road]]'', ''The New World Order'', ''[[Mountain Language]]'' and ''[[Ashes to Ashes (play)|Ashes to Ashes]]'' (28 September 2018 – 20 October 2018)<ref name=p1/>
*''[[One for the Road (Pinter play)|One for the Road]]'', ''The New World Order'', ''[[Mountain Language]]'' and ''[[Ashes to Ashes (play)|Ashes to Ashes]]'' (28 September – 20 October 2018)<ref name=p1/>
*''[[Landscape (play)|Landscape]]'' and ''[[A Kind of Alaska]]'' (15 November 2018 – 8 December 2018)<ref name="theguardian1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/may/10/west-end-theatre-to-show-all-one-act-plays-by-harold-pinter|title=West End theatre to show all one-act plays by Harold Pinter in London season|first=Mark|last=Brown|date=10 May 2018|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[Landscape (play)|Landscape]]'' and ''[[A Kind of Alaska]]'' (15 November – 8 December 2018)<ref name="theguardian1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/may/10/west-end-theatre-to-show-all-one-act-plays-by-harold-pinter|title=West End theatre to show all one-act plays by Harold Pinter in London season|first=Mark|last=Brown|date=10 May 2018|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[Moonlight (play)|Moonlight]]'' and ''[[Night School (play)|Night School]]'' (16 November 2018 – 8 December 2018)<ref name="theguardian1"/>
*''[[Moonlight (play)|Moonlight]]'' and ''[[Night School (play)|Night School]]'' (16 November – 8 December 2018)<ref name="theguardian1"/>
*''[[The Room (play)|The Room]]'', ''[[Family Voices]]'' and ''[[Victoria Station (play)|Victoria Station]]'' (3 January 2019 – 26 January 2019)<ref name="theguardian1"/>
*''[[The Room (play)|The Room]]'', ''[[Family Voices]]'' and ''[[Victoria Station (play)|Victoria Station]]'' (3–26 January 2019)<ref name="theguardian1"/>
*''Party Time'' and ''[[Celebration (play)|Celebration]]'' (4 January 2019 – 26 January 2019)<ref name="theguardian1"/>
*''Party Time'' and ''[[Celebration (play)|Celebration]]'' (4–26 January 2019)<ref name="theguardian1"/>
*''[[A Slight Ache]]'' and ''[[The Dumb Waiter]]'' (7 February 2019 – 23 February 2019)<ref name="theguardian1"/>
*''[[A Slight Ache]]'' and ''[[The Dumb Waiter]]'' (7–23 February 2019)<ref name="theguardian1"/>
*''[[Betrayal (play)|Betrayal]]'' (13 March 2019 – 8 June 2019) starring [[Tom Hiddleston]], [[Zawe Ashton]] and [[Charlie Cox]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/mar/14/betrayal-review-a-haunting-reminder-of-deceptions-impact|title=Betrayal review – Hiddleston is superb in haunting drama of deception|first=Michael|last=Billington|date=14 March 2019|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*''[[Betrayal (play)|Betrayal]]'' (13 March – 8 June 2019) starring [[Tom Hiddleston]], [[Zawe Ashton]] and [[Charlie Cox]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/mar/14/betrayal-review-a-haunting-reminder-of-deceptions-impact|title=Betrayal review – Hiddleston is superb in haunting drama of deception|first=Michael|last=Billington|date=14 March 2019|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

===The [[Jamie Lloyd (director)|Jamie Lloyd]] Company===
⚫
*''[[Cyrano de Bergerac (play)|Cyrano de Bergerac]]'' (3 February – 12 March 2022), adapted by [[Martin Crimp]], starring [[James McAvoy]]
*''[[The Seagull]]'' (29 June – 10 September 2022) by [[Anton Chekhov]], starring [[Emilia Clarke]]


==Notes, references and sources==
==Notes, references and sources==
Line 119: Line 128:


===References===
===References===
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Reflist}}


===Sources===
===Sources===
⚫
{{commons category|The Harold Pinter Theatre, London}}
* {{cite book | last= Mander | first= Raymond |author2=Joe Mitchenson| title= The Theatres of London | year=1961 | location=London | publisher=Rupert Hart-Davis | oclc= 221877906}}
* {{cite book | last= Mander | first= Raymond |author2=Joe Mitchenson| title= The Theatres of London | year=1961 | location=London | publisher=Rupert Hart-Davis | oclc= 221877906}}
* {{cite book | editor-last= Parker | editor-first= John | year=1925 | title= Who's Who in the Theatre | location=London |edition=fifth| publisher=Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons | oclc=10013159 }}
* {{cite book | editor-last= Parker | editor-first= John | year=1925 | title= Who's Who in the Theatre | location=London |edition=fifth| publisher=Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons | oclc=10013159 }}


==External links==
⚫
{{Commons category|The Harold Pinter Theatre, London}}
* [http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/harold-pinter-theatre/information/ Official Website]
{{Theatres in London}}
{{Theatres in London}}
{{ATGVenues}}
{{ATGVenues}}

Latest revision as of 11:00, 23 April 2024

This article is about the venue formerly known as the Comedy Theatre. For the former Broadway venue, see Comedy Theatre (New York City).

Harold Pinter Theatre
Comedy Theatre
Royal Comedy Theatre
The theatre in 2007
Map
AddressPanton Street
London, SW1
United Kingdom
Coordinates51°30′35″N 0°07′51″W / 51.509778°N 0.130722°W / 51.509778; -0.130722
Public transitLondon Underground Piccadilly Circus
OwnerAmbassador Theatre Group
DesignationGrade II
TypeWest End theatre
Capacity796
(1,186 originally)
ProductionThe Hills of California
Construction
Opened15 October 1881; 142 years ago (1881-10-15)
ArchitectThomas Verity
Website
www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk

The Harold Pinter Theatre, known as the Comedy Theatre until 2011,[1] is a West End theatre, and opened on Panton Street in the City of Westminster, on 15 October 1881, as the Royal Comedy Theatre. It was designed by Thomas Verity and built in just six months in painted (stucco) stone and brick.[2] By 1884 it was known as simply the Comedy Theatre. In the mid-1950s the theatre underwent major reconstruction and re-opened in December 1955; the auditorium remains essentially that of 1881, with three tiers of horseshoe-shaped balconies.[2]

History[edit]

Early years: 1881–1900[edit]

The streets between Leicester Square and the Haymarket had been of insalubrious reputation until shortly before the construction of the Comedy Theatre, but by 1881 the "doubtful resorts of the roisterers" had been removed.[3] J. H. Addison held a plot of ground in Panton Street at the corner of Oxenden Street, for which he commissioned the architect Thomas Verity to design a theatre.[4] The builders were Kirk and Randall of Woolwich.[3] The original seating capacity was 1,186, comprising 140 stalls, 120 dress circle, 126 upper boxes, amphitheatre 100, pit 400 and gallery 300.[4] the construction was completed in six months.[2]

The theatre was, and remains, a three-tier house, its exterior in the classical tradition in painted (stucco) stone and brick.[2] The theatrical newspaper The Era described the interior as "Renaissance style, richly moulded and finished in white and gold. The draperies of the boxes are of maroon plush, elegantly draped and embroidered in gold".[5] It was originally planned to light the theatre by the new electric lighting, but for unspecified reasons this was temporarily abandoned, and the usual gas lighting was installed.[5][n 1]

The first lessee of the theatre, Alexander Henderson, who had worked with Verity on the design of the building, intended it to be the home of comic opera; at one time he had intended to call it the Lyric.[n 2] The theatre historians Mander and Mitchenson write that the name he finally chose – the Royal Comedy – lacked any official approval for the use of "Royal", which was dropped within three years.[6][n 3] He assembled a strong team, including Lionel Brough as stage director and Auguste van Biene as musical director.[5]

Fred Leslie as Rip Van Winkle, 1882

The theatre opened on 15 October 1881 with Edmond Audran's opéra comique La mascotte in an English adaptation by Robert Reece and H. B. Farnie.[7] La mascotte was followed by three more adaptations by Farnie: Suppé's Boccaccio, Planquette's Rip Van Winkle (with Fred Leslie as Rip) in 1882,[8] and Chassaigne's Falka (with Violet Cameron in the title role) in 1884.[9] The last of the series of operettas was Erminie in 1885,[10] which starred, among others, Violet Melnotte, who became the lessee of the theatre in that year. She presented plays including The Silver Shield by Sydney Grundy; and Sister Mary by Wilson Barrett and Clement Scott (1886), and a season of comic operas in which she appeared herself.[8]

Melnotte sub-let the theatre in 1887 to Herbert Beerbohm Tree – his first venture into management – who presented and co-starred with Marion Terry in The Red Lamp by Outram Tristram.[11] The following year the sub-lessee was Charles Hawtrey, who ran the theatre until 1892 and produced Jane (1890) and many farces described by Mander and Mitchenson as "now-forgotten".[8]

Poster for The New Woman

In 1893 J. Comyns Carr took over the management of the theatre. He remained in charge for three years, producing among other plays Sowing the Wind by Sydney Grundy (1893); The Professor's Love Story by J. M. Barrie (1894); The New Woman by Grundy (1894); and The Benefit of the Doubt by A. W. Pinero (1895). The resident stars of the house in this period were Cyril Maude and his wife Winifred Emery. Hawtrey resumed the management in a play of his own, Mr Martin, in which he co-starred with Lottie Venne.[12] which he followed with a successful season of light comedies.[8] William Greet took over the theatre in 1898 and presented Arthur Roberts and Ada Reeve in a musical comedy Milord Sir Smith with music by Edward Jakobowski.[13] The major productions of 1899 were A Lady of Quality by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and Great Caesar by George Grossmith Jr. and Paul Rubens, with Willie Edouin, Grossmith and Reeve.[14]

20th century[edit]

Maidie Andrews as Alice in Alice Through the Looking-Glass at the Comedy Theatre during the Christmas period 1903–04. Pictured in The Tatler (January 1904)

In the early years of the 20th century the Comedy was often used for special seasons and matinée performances of avant garde plays. Frank Benson and his company, which included Lilian Braithwaite and Oscar Asche, played a Shakespeare season in 1901.[15] In 1902, Lewis Waller presented an adaption of Monsieur Beaucaire which ran for 430 performances.[16]

In 1904 Fred Terry and Julia Neilson played in Sunday for a run of 129 performances.[17] The following year Charles Frohman presented John Barrymore in his first London appearance in The Dictator. In 1906 John Hare presented a short season, appearing in The Alabaster Staircase, and a revival of A Pair of Spectacles. Other productions in the first decade of the century included Raffles with Gerald du Maurier in the title role (1906), which ran for 351 performances;[18] 1907, a series of six dramas by Somerset Maugham and others starring Marie Tempest (1907–1909);[19] and Marie Löhr in Pinero's Preserving Mr Panmure (1911). The final production to open before the First World War was Peg o' My Heart, with Laurette Taylor, which ran for 710 performances.[20]

In 1915 the Comedy followed the fashion for revue, presenting Albert de Courville's Shell Out! (1915), C. B. Cochran's Half-past Eight (1916), and four successive revues by André Charlot: This and That and See-Saw! (1916), and Bubbly and Tails Up (1918). They all ran well, particularly the last two, which ran for 429 and 467 performances respectively.[21]

The theatre established the New Watergate Club in 1956, under producer Anthony Field, to counter the stage censorship in force at the time.[22] The Theatres Act 1843 was still in force and required scripts to be submitted for approval by the Lord Chamberlain's Office. Formation of the club allowed plays that had been banned due to language or subject matter to be performed under "club" conditions.

Plays produced in this way included the UK premières of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, Robert Anderson's Tea and Sympathy and Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.[23] The law was not revoked until 1968, but in the late 1950s there was a loosening of conditions in theatre censorship, the club was dissolved and Peter Shaffer's Five Finger Exercise premièred to a public audience.[citation needed]

The theatre was Grade II listed by English Heritage in June 1972.[2]

In 2011 it was renamed the Harold Pinter Theatre, after the playwright Harold Pinter.[24][1]

Recent productions[edit]

Pinter at the Pinter season[edit]

The Jamie Lloyd Company[edit]

Notes, references and sources[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The delay did not affect the Comedy's chance of being the first theatre in London (or anywhere else) to be lit by electricity, as that distinction had already been won by the Savoy, which opened five days before the Comedy.[6]
  2. ^ The London theatre of that name was not built until 1888.[6]
  3. ^ There was a royal connexion of sorts: the Prince of Wales was in the audience on the opening night.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Harold Pinter has London theatre named after him", BBC News, 7 September 2011, accessed 8 September 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e English Heritage listing details accessed 28 April 2007.
  3. ^ a b Mander and Mitchenson, p. 67
  4. ^ a b "The Royal Comedy Theatre", The Morning Post, 11 October 1881, p. 2
  5. ^ a b c "The New Comedy Theatre", The Era, 15 October 1881, p. 5
  6. ^ a b c Mander and Mitchenson, p. 48
  7. ^ a b "The Comedy Theatre", Pall Mall Gazette, 17 October 1881, p. 11
  8. ^ a b c d Mander and Mitchenson, p. 49
  9. ^ "Falka at The Comedy", The Era, 23 February 1884, p. 9
  10. ^ "Comedy Theatre", The Standard, 10 November 1885, p. 5
  11. ^ "The London Theatres", The Era, 23 April 1887, p. 14
  12. ^ "Comedy Theatre", The Morning Post, 5 October 1896, p. 3
  13. ^ "Milord Sir Smith", The Era, 17 December 1898, p. 14
  14. ^ "New Plays and Important Revivals", The Era Almanack, 1900, p. 4
  15. ^ "Comedy Theatre", The Times, 17 January 1901, p.3
  16. ^ Parker, p. 1209
  17. ^ Parker, p. 1214
  18. ^ Parker, p. 1212
  19. ^ Mander and Mitchenson, p. 50
  20. ^ Parker, p. 1198
  21. ^ Parker, pp. 12011 and 1214
  22. ^ Interview with Anthony Field CBE 14 March, 2007(The Theatre Archive Project, British Library) accessed 16 October 2007.
  23. ^ Paul Ibell. Theatreland: A Journey Through the Heart of London's Theatre. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2009: p. 205
  24. ^ ATG renames Comedy Theatre after Harold Pinter, Official London Theatre, 7 September 2011, accessed 31 October 2017.
  25. ^ Billington, Michael. "Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane", The Guardian, 10 May 2006
  26. ^ Billington, Michael. "Donkey's Years", The Guardian, 23 February 2006
  27. ^ "Boeing-Boeing, Comedy, London | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  28. ^ "Theatre review: The Lover/The Collection / Comedy Theatre, London | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  29. ^ "Theatre review: Dickens Unplugged / Comedy, London | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  30. ^ "Theatre review: Sunset Boulevard / Comedy, London | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  31. ^ "Theatre review: Too Close to the Sun | Comedy Theatre, London | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  32. ^ "Prick Up Your Ears | Theatre review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  33. ^ "The Misanthrope | Theatre review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  34. ^ "Behud/Mrs Warren's Profession/Enchanted Palace | Theatre review | Stage". The Guardian. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  35. ^ "Review | Theatre | La Bête | Comedy Theatre | London | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  36. ^ "Birdsong | Comedy, London | Review | Michael Billington | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  37. ^ "The Children's Hour - review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  38. ^ Official Comedy Theatre website."Ambassador Theatre Group's AmbassadorTickets.com"[dead link] Archived 23 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 24 June 2011.
  39. ^ Official theatre website."www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk", accessed 8 September 2011.
  40. ^ "Absent Friends - review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  41. ^ "A Chorus of Disapproval – review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  42. ^ "Old Times - review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  43. ^ "Chimerica – review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  44. ^ "Mojo – review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  45. ^ Matt Trueman. "Theatre Royal Bath announces 2014 summer season | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  46. ^ "The Importance of Being Earnest review – trivialises sublime Wilde | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  47. ^ "Sunny Afternoon review: a heady celebration of the Kinks and Ray Davies | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  48. ^ "Nice Fish review – Mark Rylance reels them in with kooky comedy | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  49. ^ "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? review – Staunton ignites Albee's marital battle | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  50. ^ Kellaway, Kate (25 June 2017). "Hamlet review – an all-consuming marvel". The Guardian.
  51. ^ Billington, Michael (18 September 2017). "Oslo review – the political gets personal as tense peace talks are given epic sweep". The Guardian.
  52. ^ Billington, Michael (18 January 2018). "The Birthday Party review – Pinter's cryptic classic turns 60 with a starry cast". The Guardian.
  53. ^ Haynes, Natalie (29 May 2018). "Consent review – bracingly clever courtroom drama". The Guardian.
  54. ^ a b Billington, Michael. "Pinter at the Pinter review", The Guardian, 28 September 2018
  55. ^ a b c d e Brown, Mark (10 May 2018). "West End theatre to show all one-act plays by Harold Pinter in London season". The Guardian.
  56. ^ Billington, Michael (14 March 2019). "Betrayal review – Hiddleston is superb in haunting drama of deception". The Guardian.

Sources[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Harold Pinter Theatre, London.
  • Mander, Raymond; Joe Mitchenson (1961). The Theatres of London. London: Rupert Hart-Davis. OCLC 221877906.
  • Parker, John, ed. (1925). Who's Who in the Theatre (fifth ed.). London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons. OCLC 10013159.
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