Description

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

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Novello Theatre at Wikipedia
• Novello Theatre official website
• Wikidata Q12064499

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)