NEW THEATRES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 20

NEW THEATRES

FOR LONDON'S WEST END.

Two new theatres are projected in one of the most exclusive districts of the West : -End- of- ; London: ' A "Daily Chronicle" representative learnt recently that negotiations are almost completed for the erection, of the theatres, to be known as the Mayfair and the Devonshire. They will stand in what is mo,w' the northern part of the garden of Devonshire House. Considerable alterations will be made in the pleasant neighbourhood; which has hitherto retained many of the features of the Mayfair 6i an earlier age: ;',;

For instance/the theatres will look out on to a new road, which will be made between Berkeley street and Stratton street, the parallel thoroughfares which, running from Piccadilly, now bound the grounds of Devonshire House. The part of the . grounds involved runs up to Lansdowne passage, the little slip of a way between. Devonshire House and Lansdowne House about which so many legends cling. The- widening of Berkeley street, in conformity with L.C.C. regulations, will be. involved in the alterations. So far, it is not intended to touch. Devonshire House itself. .

The site on which the two theatres, together with some shops, will be built will change hands for £250,000, and it is expected that a further £300,000 will be spent, on building operations.: It is lerstood that the plan for adding two theatres to London's entertainnient equipment, arose from the plight in which people with good'plays to offer have ..found themselves for, some years owing to the letting and sub-let-ting policy which has laid such- a restrictive hand on the production of plays in London. The man behind the scheme is Mr. Archibald Nettlefold, a member of the well-known Birmingham iron firm, a brother of Mr. F. J. Nettlefold/the actor-manager.! ' .One theatre will be leased lto Mr.; Frank Cuirzon and the other to. Benrimo. -.'• ".;"''•