Novello Theatre

Novello Theatre, 5, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4LD

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1066493
Date first listed:: 20-Jul-1971
List Entry Name:: Novello Theatre
Statutory Address:: Novello Theatre, 5, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4LD

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Date:: 2001-06-30
Reference:: IOE01/06513/31
Rights:: © Miss Patricia Philpott. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1066493
Date first listed:: 20-Jul-1971
List Entry Name:: Novello Theatre
Statutory Address 1:: Novello Theatre, 5, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4LD

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Novello Theatre, 5, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4LD

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Greater London Authority
District:: City of Westminster (London Borough)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ 30602 80949

Details

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 30 January 2023 to update the name and address, remove superfluous source details from text and to reformat the text to current standards

TQ 3080 NE 73/20

CITY OF WESTMINSTER ALDWYCH, WC2 (North side) No 5, Novello Theatre

(Formerly listed as The Strand Theatre, ALDWYCH)

20.7.71 G.V. II Theatre. 1905 by W.G.R. Sprague. Portland stone faced, concealed roof. Lively Free Classicism of vaguely Beaux Arts derivation, part of the Aldwych-Kingsway development and designed as a reverse pair to the Aldwych Theatre q.v. flanking the Waldorf Hotel q.v. in a symmetrical composition. Four storeys and attic storey. Identical three window wide elevations to Catherine Street and Aldwych linked by inset bowed two window wide corner entrance pavilion. Ground and first floors treated as rusticated podium with entrance to corner under canopy returned to both fronts. Arcaded first floor windows. Above first floor cornice rises a giant engaged Ionic order embracing the second and third floors with the second floor windows treated as steep pedimented Venetian windows. Tall attic storey above main entablature fronted to Aldwych and Catherine Street by applied pediments, attic cornice and blocking course surmounted by ball finials. Generous use of high and low relief statuary groups, swags and pendants. Catherine Street facade continued as lower, giant pilastered wing.

Interior has semi-elliptical vestibule; elegant foyer with marble dressings including Corinthian pilaster order; marble staircase with wrought iron and brass balustrades; ceilings compartmented in C17 style; elliptical "Dixhuitieme" dress circle bar; fine auditorium with three cantilevered balconies, domed frescoed ceiling and high quality stucco decoration in "Dixhuitieme" taste, particularly the tiers of boxes surmounted by putti groups.

Listing NGR: TQ3058880958

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 208537
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Mander, , Mitchenson, , The Theatres of London, (1975)

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.