| Driving Miss Daisy |
If it wasn’t for the help of his future wife Mary Moore, this may not have been a possibility! Both Wyndham and Moore were a successful pair in their day, they were renowned amongst the theatre scene, and took to the stage together in leading roles in the revival ‘David Garrick’.
The site of the theatre was originally owned by the Marquess of Salisbury, and stated that a theatre would be allowed to be built providing it was named after Charles Wyndham, whom he considered the greatest actor. Wyndham was not able to come up with the financial resources, so Mary Moore went out to raise funds and finances from 10 of her wealthiest friends.
The Wyndhams theatre was designed by William Sprague and this was his first completed theatre designed in his own right.
From 1954 to the current day, the theatre was host to a variety of hit musicals and plays including The Boy Friend, Godspell, Three Tall Women, and on to more recent, As You Like It, The History Boys, Avenue Q and Driving Miss Daisy.
Worldwide stars have appeared throughout the years. In the 60’s ad 70’s there was Alec Guinness, Vanessa Redgrave and Diana Rigg. Then later to the stage there was David Essex, Maggie Smith, Jeremy Iron, Sienna Miller and of course Madonna who made her west end debut in 2002 with her performance in Up For Grabs.
The theatre is now owned by the Delfont Mackintosh group, and was refurbished in 2005. Seats in the auditorium were re-upholstered, the foyer and bars had a major re-decoration and exterior lighting to the building was improved. The theatre has been refurbished of a high standard, which highlights original features with a modern interpretation.
There are four seating areas inside the auditorium, The Stalls, Royal Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony. The theatre has all the modern facilities one would expect, including toilets, disabled access facilities, bars and cloakroom room.
Packages for hospitality can be arranged, as well as two special VIP rooms which can be hired out for holding up to 8 or 20 guests.
The Wyndhams Theatre is located on Charing Cross Road with the nearest stations being Charing Cross or Leicester Square.