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ABOUT THE DUCHESS THEATRE
The Duchess Theatre, located on Catherine Street in Covent Garden, opened in November 1929 as one of the smallest ´proscenium arched´ theatres in the West End. With a capacity of only 479 on two levels, the Duchess also holds the record for hosting one of the shortest runs in theatrical history with ´The Intimate Review´ lasting one night. However, this particularly short run did not set the scene for future productions.
Noel Coward's ´Blithe Spirit´ completed a successful run of 1,997 performances when it transferred to the Duchess in 1942. In 1952 the theatre presented Terrance Rattigan´s ´Deep Blue Sea´ and Harold Pinter's production ´The Caretaker´ opened in 1960. Then the ´70´s arrived with all its naughtiness and raunchiness seeing the Duchess present Tom Eyen´s ´The Dirtiest Show in Town´. This was followed by the controversial ´Oh! Calcutta´ - transferring to the Duchess from the Royalty Theatre in 1974, playing until 1980.
From 1987 - 1990, The Players Theatre Company used the Duchess Theatre to present their ´Late Joys´ Victorian Music Hall programme, followed by Marc Camoletti´s ´Don't Dress for Dinner´ running successfully from October 1992 - March 1997 after transferring from the Apollo Theatre. The Royal Shakespeare Company then presented the six month run of Peter Whelan's ´The Herbal Bed´.
´Little Women´, the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott was brought to theatrical life at the Duchess by Emma Reeves, telling the story of the four March sisters growing up in aristocratic poverty during the American civil war. The Duchess also hosted the fantastic musical production ´The Birthday Party´ and the mysterious tale, ´Behind the Iron Mask´, about the 1669 life imprisonment of a secretly masked and unknown man by Louis XIV of France.
The current production at the Duchess Theatre is ´Glorious´ starring Maureen Lipman (of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Oklahoma fame) in the role of the eccentric American Florence Foster Jenkins. This play tells the true story of how this ´socialite soprano´ of the 30´s and 40´s made a career of giving concerts without being able to ´hit a single note´!
Covent Garden underground station and Charing Cross rail station are the closest to the theatre.
The cheapest way to buy tickets is to buy directly from the theatres´ box office where the show is playing. Or, purchase your tickets from the ´Half Price Ticket Booth´ (AKA ´tkts´) located in Leicester Square, where they sell ´on the day´ tickets for all of the West End shows at a discount rate. The booth is open Monday to Saturday from 10am - 7pm and Sundays from 12pm - 3.30pm. There is a service fee of £2.50 per ticket and a maximum of 4 tickets per person. Avoid touts hanging about the theatres and any other ticket agencies around the West End that appear a little dodgy as tickets may not be legitimate. Always ask if your seat is in a restricted viewing area. You can also purchase a theatre and hotel package which saves money all round.
However, the best thing to do if you have your heart set on seeing a particular show is to book ahead. You will be guaranteed a good seat, a great view and a fab night out.
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Catherine Street, London, UK WC2B 5LA 