How old is New Wimbledon Theatre?
The New Wimbledon Theatre is situated on Broadway, Wimbledon, London, in the London Borough of Merton. It is a Grade II listed Edwardian theatre built by the theatre lover and entrepreneur, J. B. Mulholland. Built on the site of a large house with spacious grounds, the theatre was designed by Cecil Aubrey Massey and Roy Young (possibly following a 1908 design by Frank H. Jones). The theatre opened on 26 December 1910 with the pantomime Jack and Jill.
As one of the few surviving and refurbished Theatres of architectural merit on the very edge of London, New Wimbledon Theatre has a glittering history of previous star performers such as Marlene Dietrich, Laurel and Hardy, Dirk Bogarde and Gracie Fields, as well as boasting world premieres of such famous productions as Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver!’ and ‘Half a Sixpence’ which starred Tommy Steele. In 2008 it was chosen as the venue for HRH the Prince of Wales’ 60th Birthday Gala ‘We are Most Amused’ which saw Robin Williams, John Cleese and Joan Rivers on our stage and joined by a host of home-grown and international comedic talent in aid of The Princes Trust.
New Wimbledon Theatre is also hugely proud of its reputation as ‘the Home of London Pantomime’ and each year stages full-scale traditional productions which have included star performances from John Barrowman, Henry ‘The Fonz’ Winkler, Joanna Page, Gareth Gates and Ross Kemp, Brian Blessed, Ruby Wax, Anita Dobson, Paul O’Grady, Louie Spence and Baywatch stars Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff in their much-publicised pantomime debuts.
About New Wimbledon Theatre
South West London’s premier theatrical venue, New Wimbledon Theatre has been an iconic landmark in Wimbledon Town Centre since 1910.
With a year-round programme of musicals, comedy, family entertainment, dance, drama and of course our legendary annual pantomime, New Wimbledon Theatre is also home to the Studio, where amazing development work from new writers, comedians, directors and producers brings our former ballroom to life.
New Wimbledon Theatre plays an active role in our community, with events staged throughout the year in partnership with some of the region’s finest organisations.
