| Saville Theatre | |
|---|---|
| Address | Shaftesbury Avenue |
| City | Westminster, London |
| Architect | Sir Thomas Bennett, with Bertie Crewe |
| Owned by | Odeon Cinemas |
| Capacity | 1,426 (1931) |
| Type | Cinema |
| Opened | 8 October 1931 |
| Years active | 1931 - 1969 |
| Rebuilt | Renovated, as cinema, 2001 |
| Closed | December 1969 |
| Previous names | ABC Shaftesbury Avenue |
| Current use | Odeon Covent Garden |
The Saville Theatre is a former West End theatre at 135 Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. The theatre opened in 1931, and became a music venue during the 1960s, finally being converted to a cinema in 1970.
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The theatre was designed by the architect Sir Thomas Bennett, in consultation with Bertie Crewe, and opened on 8 October 1931, with a play with music by H.F. Maltby, For The Love Of Mike.[1]
The theatre benefited from a capacity of 1,426 on three levels and a stage that was 31.5 feet (9.6 m) wide, with a depth of 30.5 feet (9.3 m). The interior was opulent, The Stage reviewed the new theatre on its opening
The stalls bar and saloon lounge adjoining, will please the public, special care has been exercised in their equipment and decoration. The bar, which has mural paintings by Mr A. R. Thompson, is 18 ft by 54 ft in front of the counters, while the lounge, which is also decorated by the same artist, is 42 ft by 40 ft. There is a sort of shopping arcade in and about the lounge, as in the up-to-date hotels, and it is quite big enough for tea dances or concerts. So comfortable, indeed, are the lounge and the bar at the Saville, that it is to be feared that something more than a warning bell will be necessary to clear them[1]
The theatre was damaged by bombing in 1941, but reopened quickly allowing Up and Running by Firth Shephard to complete a run of 603 performances. In 1955, the interior was completely refurbished by Laurence Irving, and John Collins created a new mural for the stalls bar. In 1963, a musical adaption of the Pickwick Papers premièred on July 4, 1963, featuring Harry Secombe in his first role in a musical. It was a success, remaining in the West End for two years and going on to tour the US, with a run on Broadway.[2]
Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles and himself a former drama student, leased the theatre in 1965, presenting both plays (including works by Arnold Wesker) and rock and roll shows. The venue became notorious for its Sunday night concerts, during one by Chuck Berry members of the audience stormed the stage and the police were called to clear the theatre.
The venue also saw the last UK appearance of The Jimi Hendrix Experience (in June 1967) before their groundbreaking Monterey Pop Festival performance. The Move and Procol Harum also appeared on the bill. Yoko Ono performed there in 1967 Friday December 8, world premier: THE FOG MACHINE, MUSIC of the MIND, there was a projection of her film Bottoms (Film No. 4) shown in the Mens Room during the Concert and all those who attend were asked to please bring a mirror, and using smoke machines to fill the auditorium. An eclectic mix of bands such as Nirvana, Cream, Fairport Convention, the Incredible String Band and The Bee Gees, also appeared there.[3] Cream were supported one night by The Jeff Beck Group (Jeff had replaced Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds) featuring Rod Stewart on vocals and Ron Wood on bass. John Mayall's Bluesbreakers were also on the bill featuring Mick Taylor. Mick Taylor had replaced Peter Green in the Bluesbreakers (who had replaced Eric Clapton). Mick Taylor joined the Rolling Stones and was then replaced by Ron Wood. A typical Sunday night at The Saville.
The Beatles themselves borrowed the Saville to make their "Hello, Goodbye" promo (an early music video) in 1967. While the promo did air in the United States, it wasn't allowed on British television because of a restriction on mimed performances.
When Epstein died August 27., 1967, the later of two Jimi Hendrix shows was cancelled, as a mark of respect, causing some confusion amongst arriving and exiting Hendrix fans outside in the street. The theatre was sold in 1969, and returned to presenting theatrical productions and under the new management it presented the London première of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, a production that brought Leonard Rossiter to public attention. The last play to be performed at the theatre was Enemy by Robert Maugham, opening for a short run in December 1969.[1]
The Saville was taken over by ABC Theatres (owned by EMI) in 1970 and converted to a two screen cinema. The conversion was undertaken by William Ryder and Associates. It opened on 22 December 1970 with ABC1 seating 616, and ABC2 581. The stage area became administration offices and little of the original theatre internal structure remains.[1] In 2001, the building was taken over by the Odeon cinema group and is now the four screen Odeon Covent Garden cinema.
The exterior of the theatre retains many of the 1930s details, although the wrought iron window on the frontage has been replaced by glass blocks. A sculptured frieze by British sculptor Gilbert Bayes around the building for nearly 130 feet (40 m), remains and represents 'Drama Through The Ages'.