Located on Shaftesbury Avenue, the theatre dates back to the 1930s but was closed in 2024. Peter Ustinov was among the actors to grace the Saville Theatre’s stage before the Grade II listed building was transformed into a cinema in the 1970s, most recently known as Odeon Covent Garden.
Saville Theatre was bought by Yoo Capital in 2021, with the real estate developer formulating plans to develop a live arts venue with a hotel and restaurant. Yoo Capital says its plans, submitted to Camden Council, would return the building to its intended use and provide Cirque du Soleil’s first permanent show space in Europe.
Theatreland concerns
However, Theatres Trust says the plans, if permitted, would see the theatre space reduced and relocated to subterranean levels with the majority of the building converted to hotel use. Its objection can be found here.
“The Saville is vitally important as it offers the last remaining opportunity for a large-scale theatre in the world-renowned area known as ‘Theatreland’, which is a hugely important part of London’s cultural offer, a key driver of tourism, and a generator of significant local and national economic benefits,” Theatres Trust said in a statement.
“We firmly believe that a dedicated theatre scheme with larger-scale offer is clearly the optimal use for the Saville, and crucially would be a better long-term opportunity for cultural and economic growth in the West End. It would be a welcome addition to both the local area and the UK’s theatre eco-system.”
Theatres Trust believes that established theatre operators and producers would be keen to take on an 800-1,000 seat venue in this prime location. The Theatres Trust is the National Advisory Public Body for Theatres in the UK.
“If the scheme goes ahead in its current form, it is a missed opportunity to revitalise an important theatre with tangible economic and cultural placemaking benefits,” Theatres Trust added.
Cirque du Soleil
As well as the potential Cirque du Soleil link up, the theatre’s website says the project would restore elements of the historic building, currently suffering from the corrosion of the steel frames within the masonry. There would be programmes of engagement with young people and schools, and 125 full-time jobs created.
Yoo Capital’s portfolio also includes London’s Olympia and Camden Film Quarter.
On its website, Yoo Capital says of the Saville Theatre: “We are working with key community stakeholders to return it to a live performance venue with ancillary uses.”