Acclaimed theatrical group Cirque du Soleil are eyeing up a permanent London home.
The Saville Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, which was until recently an Odeon cinema, is currently being restored by Yoo Capital.
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group confirmed to Variety this week that the Montreal based company, which is running its circus and theatre productions around the world, is exploring taking the Saville Theatre over as its first UK-based permanent home.
In November 2021 the former Saville Theatre was sold by Odeon cinemas to Yoo Capital, who are the developers of the new Olympia Theatre in London.
In March 2020 the Theatres’ Trust announced that the Grade II listed Saville Theatre had been saved from redevelopment. Part of their justification for maintaining the building as an entertainment venue was that there is need and demand for additional large-scale theatre space within the West End, for which the Saville provides the last realistic opportunity to deliver due to its size, internal volume, access and its existing cultural use.
The theatre was designed by TP Bennett and Son with input from notable theatre architect Bertie Crewe and opened in 1931 with the play “For the Love of Mike”. The building was originally very opulent, and features a large, 40m frieze that runs across the entire front by Gilbert Bayes, depicting ‘Drama Through the Ages’, and is considered to be one of the most important works of public sculpture of the 1930s.
It also been the venue for a series of famous concerts in the 60’s and 70’s including the Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and Chuck Berry; and a West End theatre – with Cameron Mackintosh staging a revival of Anything Goes at the venue in November 1969 (sadly it only ran for 15 performances, with Marian Montgomery as Reno Sweeney, James Kenney as Billy Crocker and Michael Segal as Moonface Martin).
Eric Grilly, President, Resident and Affiliate Show Divisions at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, said in a statement that: ”We see a unique opportunity to bring back live entertainment to a beloved venue with fresh content and new ideas” and that the venue would “complement Cirque du Soleil’s annual Royal Albert Hall residency and offer theater-goers a more intimate space to enjoy incredible performances all year round.”
Architecture firm SPPARC are redesigning the theatre, including working out the best way to facilitate Cirque du Soleil’s needs.
There are also plans for a boutique hotel by citizenM and a food and beverage offering provided by Incipio Group on the site, although Yoo Capital are yet to submit planning permission for their redevelopment.
For many years Cirque du Soleil have brought their epic shows to London each year with a multi-week residency at the Royal Albert Hall. 2024’s epic show will be Cirque du Soleil: Alegria, at the Royal Albert Hall from 11 January to 11 February 2024.
Lloyd Lee, managing partner, Yoo Capital, said: “We are committed to contributing this beautiful building back into the wonderful tapestry of live performance around the West End by revitalising its theatrical and hospitality history in a modern way. It has been relatively forgotten and underinvested in comparison to its sibling theaters and the buildings along Shaftesbury Avenue. Our plans will look to optimise benefits to the local community and the West End theatrical, live entertainment and hospitality industry.”
Trevor Morriss, principal architect at SPPARC, added: “Having not operated as a theater for over 50 years, SPPARC is privileged to design a theater space that will rekindle the free-spirited creativity that made it a special venue for a great many globally celebrated performers.”
Klaas van Lookeren Campagne, CEO at citizenM Hotels, said: “We strive to foster a sense of community throughout the development process and into our operations, by featuring local artists in our spaces, supporting community initiatives, and heroing locals in our campaigns and through art displays on our buildings. We’re looking forward to bringing our affordable luxury concept to our new neighbours in Soho.”
Book Cirque du Soleil: Alegria Tickets at the Royal Albert Hall
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