LONDON THEATRES.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18165, 1 November 1930, Page 17 (Supplement)

LONDON THEATRES.

HIGH RENTS TO GO. MANY NEW PLAYHOUSES. Excessive West End theatre rentals, which have proved to be a. stranglehold on dramatic production, nave been dealt their death-blow by the increase in the number of playhouses available (says a London'writer). This year will be a record one for new theatres, and more quickly almost than playgoers have had time to realise thd whole aspect of t theatrical "front” has changed. y Christmas seven new theatres win have been opened in the West End. The owners of London’s oldfashioned theatres are now realising that if they want to remain on the map they must bring their properties into line with the newer buildings. They are finding also that the days of sky-high rentals and strangling “agreements” are definitely over. Leaving out the variety halls, there will by the end of the year be forty West End theatres available for the presentation of plays. Meanwhile London’s newest theatre (the Whitehall), which holds 800 and is to be opened at the end of the month, is nearly complete. When I saw the interior I found that its architect (Mr E. A. Stone) had brought to the planning of a small playhouse a knowledge of what the modern playgoer wants. Within its limited space there is as great a degree of comfort and artistry as is to be found in any of the big “palatial" theatres and picturehouses.