The Duchess Theatre The theatre opened on 25th November, 1929 and is one of the smallest 'proscenium arched' West End theatres. The circle, which is narrower than the stalls, is unusual for the time.
Notable productions include, Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit in 1942 (which transferred from the Piccadilly Theatre to the St James Theatre before moving to the Duchess Theatre where it completed a run of 1,997 performances.The 1970's brought somewhat 'raunchy' entertainment in the form of The Dirtiest Show in Town which run for just under 800 performances.
In December 1974 the controversial production of Oh, Calcutta! transferred here from the Royalty Theatre and remained here until 1980. Between 1987 and 1990 The Players Theatre company presented their Late Joys Victorian Music Hall programme. The mid-90's were taken up with a successful run of Marc Camoletti's Don't Dress For Dinner which transferred here from the Apollo Theatre in October 1992 and stayed until 1st March, 1997.
Another successful production here was the Royal Shakespeare Company's The Herbal Bed by Peter Whelan which run for six months from April to October 1997.
Just as the Phoenix rose from its own ashes we, the management of the Chatsworth Centre, are determined to see the Duchesstheatre rise from the devastation caused by the fire last Sunday.
The Committee and Trustees are determined that a new theatre will rise from the ashes and have already met with insurers, loss assessors, fire chiefs etc. and although it hasn't been decided how the fire started, planning for the future is underway.
Although the time scale for a new theatre has to be in the region of two years - the ball is already rolling - how can you help.
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