The Cambridge Theatre: History
The Cambridge Theatre West End occupies a corner site in Earlham Street facing Seven Dials, in the London Borough of Camden. Built in 1929-30, it was designed by Wimperis, Simpson and Guthrie. Interior design of The Cambridge Theatre is partly by Serge Chermayeff, with interior bronze friezes by sculptor Anthony Gibbons Grinling. The theatre is built in steel and concrete and is notable for the elegant and clean lines used in its design. The Cambridge was refurbished in 1950—the original gold and silver décor was painted over in red, and candelabras and chandeliers were added. In 1987, in order to restore the original décor, the theatre was once again refurbished, this time by Carl Toms. The theatre has a circular entrance foyer, with Grinling's bronze frieze depicting nude figures in exercise poses, the theme continues into the main foyer, with dancing nudes, marble pilaster up lighters and concealed lighting.
The Cambridge Theatre: Notable Productions
Notable productions at The Cambridge Theater include Joan Sims in Breath of Spring by Peter Coke, 1958, Tommy Steele in Half a Sixpence, 1963, Bruce Forsyth in Little Me, 1964, The Black Mikado (1975-76), and in the late 1970s the Kander and Ebb musical Chicago which ran for 590 performances. More recently the 'rock'n'roll' musical Return to the Forbidden Planet, which was based on Shakespeare's The Tempest and used 1950s and 1960s songs opened in September 1989 and lasted until early 1993, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Musical—beating the favourite, Miss Saigon. The Cambridge also hosted the extraordinarily popular musical Chicago until August 2011 when it transferred to the Garrick Theatre and since played its final West End season.
The Cambridge Theatre is owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatres.
Cambridge Theatre: Recent Productions
Grease (24 October 1996 – 11 September 1999) by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, starring at various times Shane Richie and Ben Richards
Great Balls of Fire (6 October 1999 – 18 December 1999)
The Beautiful Game (26 September 2000 – 1 September 2001) by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton
Fame (20 September 2001 – 31 August 2002)
Our House (28 October 2002 – 16 August 2003) by Madness and Tim Firth
Jerry Springer – The Opera (14 October 2003 – 19 February 2005), starring David Soul
Something Wicked this Way Comes (2 June 2005 – 2 July 2005), starring Derren Brown
Dancing in the Streets (19 July 2005 – 22 April 2006)
Chicago (27 April 2006 – 27 August 2011)
Cambridge Theatre: Current Production
Matilda the Musical (24 November 2011-)
