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Cameron Mackintosh wants to demolish Ambassadors Theatre - and theatreland agrees

The massed ranks of theatreland are locked in a row with a conservation charity over the fate of a historic West End theatre.

Impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh wants to demolish the Grade II listed Ambassadors Theatre, leaving only its façade, and replace it with “a modern and flexible” new building.

His plan, which goes before Camden council tomorrow, is backed by theatres including the National, the Donmar Warehouse, the Almeida and the Young Vic.

But the Victorian Society, which seeks to protect historic architecture, has told councillors that the “proposal would result in substantial harm” to the building.

The theatre, which with 444 seats is one of Covent Garden’s smallest, was designed by WGR Sprague and opened in 1913. Sir Cameron, 71, wants it to become a West End home for shows from the subsidised sector that would otherwise not get a London run.

The Theatres Trust, which backs his proposal, told the council the Ambassadors has “many operational constraints as a result of its compact site and layout” and requires “substantial alterations” to stay viable. It said the plans called for “a difficult decision” but would let subsidised theatres “transfer to the West End and access the wider audiences and market available”.

Planning stage: Sir Cameron Mackintosh wants to rebuild the Ambassadors Theatre but keep its historic façade (NIGEL HOWARD)
Planning stage: Sir Cameron Mackintosh wants to rebuild the Ambassadors Theatre but keep its historic façade (NIGEL HOWARD)

Alex Bowring of the Victorian Society said the demolition would be “a great loss”. He added: “The Ambassadors stands above Sprague’s other works for several reasons.

“Sprague packed the interiors with his usual flair but due to the theatre’s smaller size the result is particularly intense. It is also thanks to its small size that, until now, it has suffered only superficial redecorations and can be found today largely as it ever was.”

The theatre, on West Street opposite The Ivy restaurant, is showing David Eldridge’s new play Beginning and has hosted long-running shows including The Mousetrap and Stomp. Stars who made their West End debut there include Ivor Novello and Vivien Leigh.

Sir Cameron bought the theatre in 2015. His proposed building would be more accessible and include new bars and rehearsal rooms. Some “historically significant elements” such as ornate plasterwork would be retained. The theatre would have a maximum capacity of about 475 seats and be named after composer Stephen Sondheim.

Officers have advised Camden’s planning committee to grant conditional permission but refer the proposal to Housing and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid. He would then decide whether it could proceed without a public inquiry, which involves a planning inspector making a ruling.