Cameron Mackintosh Has Plans to Demolish the Ambassadors Theatre

The Evening Standard reported recently that Cameron Mackintosh has plans in mind for the future of the West End's Ambassadors Theatre. Mackintosh is eyeing a full demolishing of the theatre leaving only the facade intact. His goal is to redesign the interior in order to make it more flexible in hosting new productions and allow for subsidised theatres to bring their new works to the West End.

Mackintosh currently has the support of a handful of notable theatres including the Old Vic, the National, and The Donmar Warehouse as well as The Theatres Trust.

His opposition, however, comes from the Victorian Society whose members say the renovations pose a threat to the integrity of the building and its historical relevance.

The theatre currently holds 444 seats, which Mackintosh would plan on expanding to 475. He also hopes to rename it after legendary musical maestro Stephen Sondheim.

Mackintosh's plan first goes before the Camden council who may refer the issue to the Housing and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid who then has the option to bring in a planning inspector.

The Ambassadors Theatre was designed by architect W. G. R. Sprague. It was the original home of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, which has been running since 1952. It is currently hosting the West End production of David Eldridge's Beginning.

For more, visit the Evening Standard here.

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