Arts Theatre, London

The theatre opened in 1927 with “Picnic” an intimate revue. As the theatre was run as a club it was outside the censorship regulations and as a result it presented many “controversial” plays otherwise not licensed by the Lord Chamberlain. Many productions first presented here later transferred to the West End. During the Second World War the theatre became the home of Lunch-Time Ballet and in 1942, until 1953, the actor Alec Clunes took over management with the Arts Theatre Group of Actors. After this time the lease changed hands several times and in the early 1960s the theatre was under threat of demolition.

In 1967 the lease was taken over by Caryl Jenner, the founder of the Unicorn Children’s Theatre. Children’s plays were performed in the day with adult plays performed in the evenings. The Unicorn theatre remained here until 2005 when it moved to purpose built premises in Southwark.

Past productions

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  • 6–7 Great Newport Street, London, WC2H 7JB
  • Telephone: 020 7836 8463
  • A proscenium theatre, seats 351.
  • Opened 20th April 1927
  • Official website
  • Wikipedia

Also called

  • Unicorn Arts Theatre, London (1967 – 1999)
  • New Arts Theatre, London (April 1962 – January 1967)
  • Arts Theatre Club, London (started 20th April 1927)

Photographs

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Photo credits