The West End is to get a new live performance venue after planners gave the green lights to plans to restore the art deco Saville Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue to its original use after more than half a century.
Camden council gave the thumbs up a proposal from Olympia developers Yoo Capital, with London architects SPPARC, to turn the 1930s venue into a live performance space hosting two shows a night and a new boutique hotel operated by citizenM.
It will serve as the London base for the Cirque du Soleil acrobatic performance company.
Originally designed by English architect Sir Thomas Bennett, the Saville Theatre first opened its doors at 135-149 Shaftesbury Avenue in 1931.
It hosted regular plays and musicals throughout the 1930s to 1960s, surviving bomb damage during the Blitz.
It doubled as a live music venue from 1966 onwards under the direction of Beatles manager Brian Epstein, hosting acts including Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton and The Who.
Its original interiors were lost by the time it was transformed into a two-screen cinema in 1970, with two further screens added after it became an Odeon in 2001.
SPPARC's proposals will re-introduce a 622-capacity theatre with seating arranged across three levels, accessed via the reimagined historic entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue.
The internal arrangement of the auditorium can be re-configured into a range of formats, including theatre in the round, a thrust stage or traditional proscenium arch.
The new boutique citizenM hotel, will be the operator’s fifth London location.
SPPARC’s restoration will include repair and cleaning of its original 40-metre-long frieze by British sculptor Gilbert Bayes, Drama Through the Ages, described by Historic England as one of the most important sculptural works of its age.
The original 1930s glazed arched window above the theatre’s main entrance will also be brought into practical use for the first time
Trevor Morriss, Principal at SPPARC, said: “Our ambitious vision will return the Saville Theatre to its rightful position as a cultural landmark at the heart of London’s West End, a key part of the UK’s cultural offering and rivalled only by New York’s Broadway when it comes to global theatre destinations.
“The addition of a hotel not only supports visitor experience with suitable accommodation, but is also historically relevant, reflected in buildings of a similar age like The Savoy.
“With the design inspired by the building’s fascinating history, the Saville’s long-awaited revival will meet the needs of contemporary theatre goers to allow it to once again host world class live performance for the next 100 years and beyond.”
Lloyd Lee, managing partner of developers Yoo Capital, which submitted the planning application, said: “We are incredibly proud to have received planning approval for the revival of 135 Shaftesbury Avenue.
“The Saville Theatre holds a unique place in London’s cultural memory, and this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore its legacy while creating something truly new for the West End.
"From the start, our vision has been to deliver a destination that honours the building’s rich history while embracing the energy and diversity of London’s creative future. We’re excited to work with world-class partners – Cirque du Soleil, citizenM, Incipio Group, and architects SPPARC – to bring this landmark back to life as a home for world-class entertainment, hospitality, and culture.”
