Embassy Theatre (London)


The Embassy Theatre is a theatre at 64, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London.

Early years

The Embassy Theatre was opened as a repertory company in September 1928 on the initiative of Sybil Arundale and Herbert Jay., when the premises of Hampstead Conservatoire of Music were adapted by architect Andrew Mather. The following were some of its productions:
From September 1930 to March 1932 the theatre was directed by Alec L. Rea and A. R. Whatmore. Productions included:
Control then passed to Ronald Adam, who remained at the helm until 1939. During that time he made over 150 new productions and revivals, of which over thirty were then transferred to various theatres in the West End. The Embassy school of acting was opened in the theatre in 1932. Some of the more notable productions at the theatre were:
Ronald Adam's own list of significant transfers in that period was Ten Minute Alibi, Close Quarters, The Dominant Sex, Professor Bernhardi, Judgment Day.

Post-war period

After war damage, the building was reopened in 1945, with a capacity of 678.
It was then run until 1954 by Anthony Hawtrey.
In 1953 it was sold to Sidney Bernstein with management by screenwriter and playwright Wolf Mankowitz.
The theatre was sold to the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, who continue as the resident company, in 1956.
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