Donmar Warehouse
Londres - Angleterre
Construction: 1971
Topologie du théâtre
Nombre de salles actives: 1
Salle 1: (251) 1971 - Actif
Accès
En métro: Covent Garden (3 mins), Leicester Square (5 mins), Tottenham Court Road (8 mins), Holborn (8 mins), Charing Cross (10 mins)
En bus: 176, 24, 29, N20, N279, N29, N41, N5 (Stop Cambridge Circus)
Adresse: 41 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LX
Evolution
Bâtiment:
Nom:
Propriétaire(s)
Ambassador Theatre Group
Remarquable
The name Donmar is an amalgamation of the names of the theatre’s founders, Donald (Albury) and Margot (Fonteyn).
251
1971 - Actif
Welcome Home, Captain Fox!, une nouvelle version de Le Voyageur Sans Bagage de Jean Anouilh signée Anthony Weigh, la création mondiale d'une nouvelle pièce de Nick Payne, Elegy, et le revival de Faith Healer de Brian Friel.
Se rajoute au cast déjà décidé, Tom Hiddleston (Coriolanus) & Mark Gatiss (Menenius), les artistes suivants: Jacqueline Boatswain (Valeria), Peter De Jersey (Cominius), Alfred Enoch (Titus Lartius), Deborah Findlay (Volumnia), Hadley Fraser (Aufidius), Rochenda Sandall (Ensemble), Birgitte Hjort Sørensen (Virgilia).
The Donmar Warehouse lies little more than a stone’s throw to the east of Seven Dials and the Cambridge Theatre, at the northern extremity of Covent Garden, and occupies part of the upper floor of a former brewery warehouse dating from the mid-19th century. Along with the surrounding area, Earlham Street has been elegantly manicured since the 1970s when the fruit and vegetable market moved away. However, even as a pedestrian it is easy to bypass the theatre without registering its presence.
Extending for 23 sheer bays along the north side of the street, the three-storey, yellow stock brick building backs on to Short's Gardens, with the former Neal’s Passage linking the two roads to form a triangular plot. As part of the overall upgrading of Covent Garden, the former warehouse was converted to a shopping mall in 1992, sacrificing its vaulted and cast-iron-columned industrial qualities for a contrived but friendly new interior. Within the development, the brewing flame is kept burning by the Freedom Brewing Company, dispensing pints of beer or lager brewed within the warehouse complex.
In the early 1920s the premises were in use as a pioneering colour film studio; later they were taken over for use as a banana warehouse. It was the meeting of the dedicated theatrical minds of Donald Albury and Margot Fonteyn that inspired the conversion to theatre use in 1960 - and the meeting of their forenames that gave it its title. Basic in every sense, in those early days the Donmar was mainly used for Royal Shakespeare Company rehearsals. From 1977 to 1981 the company used it as a studio theatre; then it decamped to the Barbican, and since 1981 the Warehouse has become a premier 'fringe’ theatre.
Architects Renton Howard Wood Levine were responsible for the sensitive rehabilitation works, which combine simplicity with great intimacy. Access to the theatre is via a single bay within the Earlham Street façade, into a narrow, white-painted brick entrance foyer and box office. Metal staircases with heavy wire balustrading ensure that the building’s former life as a warehouse is not forgotten.
Above the foyer, the curving bars of the stalls and circles are formed around a communal lift shaft shared with the shops below. The auditorium Is planned on the courtyard principle with a galleried balcony along three sides around a flexible protruding stage without wings or proscenium arch. Black-painted walls and bench seating sufficient for an audience of 251 people, covered in rust-tinted cloth ensure a sombre ambience, placing heavy reliance - as in so many modern theatres - on the plentiful lighting banks suspended above the acting area. This is a theatre that should be more widely known and appreciated, offering a diverse range of new writing, contemporary reappraisals of European classics, British and American drama and small scale musical theatre.
Theatrical producer Donald Albery formed Donmar Productions around 1953, with the name derived from the first three letters of his name and that of his friend Dame Margot Fonteyn, the prima ballerina. In 1961, he bought the warehouse, a building that in the 1870s had been a vat room and hops warehouse for the local brewery in Covent Garden, and in the 1920s had been used as a film studio and then the Covent Garden Market banana-ripening depot. His son Ian Albery, a producer and theatre design consultant, converted the warehouse into a private rehearsal studio for Fonteyn's London Festival Ballet.
In 1977 the Royal Shakespeare Company acquired it as a theatre and renamed it the Warehouse, converting and equipping at "immense speed". The first show, which opened on 18 July 1977, was Schweik in the Second World War, directed by Howard Davies, which transferred from the Other Place in Stratford. The electricity for the theatre was turned on just 30 minutes before curtain up, and the concrete steps up to the theatre were still wet.
The Warehouse was an RSC workshop as much as a showcase and the seasons were remarkably innovative, including Trevor Nunn's acclaimed Stratford 1976 Macbeth, starring Judi Dench and Ian McKellen, which opened at the Covent Garden venue in September 1977 before transferring to the Young Vic. The RSC went on to stage numerous acclaimed productions, both original and transfers from The Other Place, Stratford. In 1980 nearly all the RSC company were involved in Nicholas Nickleby so a new two hander was found from the pile of submitted scripts. Educating Rita, with Julie Walters and Mark Kingston directed by Mike Ockrent, went on to be one of the RSC's biggest successes.
From 1983-89 it came under the artistic directorship of Nica Burns.
In 1990 Roger Wingate was responsible for the acquisition of the Donmar Warehouse. He completely rebuilt and re-equipped it in the form it is known today. Prior to its reopening in 1992, Roger Wingate appointed Sam Mendes as the theatre’s first Artistic Director. As a board member and theatrical producer, Roger Wingate remains closely involved with the Donmar to the present day.
Under Sam Mendes (1992-2002)
The Donmar became an independent producing house in 1992 with Sam Mendes as artistic director. His opening production was Stephen Sondheim's Assassins. He followed this with a series of classic revivals.
Among Mendes' productions were John Kander and Fred Ebb's Cabaret, Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie, Stephen Sondheim's Company, Alan Bennett's Habeas Corpus and his farewell duo of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya and Twelfth Night, which transferred to the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
As artistic director Mendes gave opportunities to many young directors. Matthew Warchus's production of Sam Shepard's True West, Katie Mitchell's of Beckett's Endgame, David Leveaux's of Sophocles's Elektra and Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing were amongst the most critically acclaimed of the decade.[citation needed] Mendes' successor Michael Grandage directed some of the key productions of the later part of Mendes' tenure, including Peter Nichols's Passion Play and Privates on Parade and Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along.
Under Michael Grandage (2002-2011)
In 2002 Michael Grandage succeeded Sam Mendes as Artistic Director. Grandage appointed Douglas Hodge and Jamie Lloyd as Associate Directors; in 2007 Rob Ashford succeeded Hodge.
The Donmar Warehouse produces a mixed programme of new plays, revivals and musicals. For its revivals of foreign plays, the company regularly commissions new translations or versions, including Ibsen's The Wild Duck (David Eldridge), Racine's Phaedra (Frank McGuinness), Dario Fo's Accidental Death of An Anarchist (Simon Nye) and Strindberg's Creditors (David Greig).
Its musical productions have included Grand Hotel and the Stephen Sondheim works, Pacific Overtures, Merrily We Roll Along, Company, Into the Woods and the 1992 production of Assassins that opened Sam Mendes' tenure as Artistic Director.
Under the umbrella of Warehouse Productions, the theatre sometimes opens shows in the West End. Examples of this include 1999's Suddenly Last Summer and 2005's Guys and Dolls.
Many well-known actors have appeared at the theatre, including Nicole Kidman (The Blue Room), Gwyneth Paltrow (Proof), Ian McKellen (The Cut) and Ewan McGregor (Othello).
With only 250 seats, the tickets for Othello starring McGregor were in such demand that Grandage feared it could become "a bad news story". His response was to plan a one-year season at the 750-seat Wyndham's Theatre, four major new productions presented by Donmar West End. It commenced on 12 September 2008, with Kenneth Branagh in the title role of Chekhov's Ivanov, given in a new version by Tom Stoppard and directed by Grandage. The West End season continued with Derek Jacobi in Twelfth Night, Judi Dench in Yukio Mishima's Madame de Sade and Jude Law in Hamlet, all directed by Grandage.
Following the Donmar West End season, the Donmar held three productions internationally: transfers of Red, Piaf and Creditors, to Broadway, Madrid and the Brooklyn Academy of Music respectively. Furthermore, starting from the 30th of September until December, the Donmar will have the first of three year resident spots at Trafalgar Studios 2, in order to showcase its past Resident Assistant Directors.
In late 2010, the Donmar led the UK celebrations to mark Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday to recognise his long association with the theatre. It included a new production of Passion directed by Jamie Lloyd.
In February 2011, the Donmar collaborated with the National Theatre Live programme to broadcast its production of King Lear, starring Derek Jacobi, to cinemas around the world. With over 350 screens in 20 countries, this single performance of King Lear was seen by more than 30,000 people.
Under Josie Rourke (2012-onwards)
In January 2012, Josie Rourke became the third Artistic Director in the Donmar's history. The first production under her leadership was George Farquhar's The Recruiting Officer, which Rourke also directed. The production garnered widespread critical acclaim. Her first season also included Robert Holman's 1987 play, Making Noise Quietly, directed by Peter Gill; Jack Thorne's new version of The Physicists by Swiss playwright Friedrich Duerrenmatt; Brian Friel's Philadelphia, Here I Come!, directed by Lyndsey Turner; and Rourke's own production of Jean Racine's Berenice, in a new translation by Alan Hollinghurst.
With just 250 seats and 20 standing positions (only on sale once all the seats are sold), the Donmar provides a uniquely intimate setting to experience award-winning theatre.
The auditorium has seating on three sides of the stage and on two levels. The seating is bench style so there is space to place coats and bags underneath as we do not have a cloakroom (customers are reminded not to leave any baggage unattended at anytime). The auditorium is air conditioned and drinks can also be taken to your seats.
The name Donmar is an amalgamation of the names of the theatre’s founders, Donald (Albury) and Margot (Fonteyn).
Musical
Revival
158) Next to Normal (Revival)
Joué durant 1 mois 3 semaines
Première preview: 12 August 2023
Première: 12 August 2023
Dernière: 07 October 2023
Compositeur: Tom Kitt •
Parolier: Brian Yorkey •
Libettiste: Brian Yorkey •
Metteur en scène: Michael Longhurst •
Chorégraphe:
Avec:
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Théâtre
Original
157) Trouble in Butetown (Original)
Joué durant 1 mois 1 semaine
Première preview: 10 February 2023
Première: 10 February 2023
Dernière: 25 March 2023
Compositeur: *** Divers •
Parolier: *** Divers •
Libettiste: *** Divers •
Metteur en scène: Tinuke Craig •
Chorégraphe:
Avec: Samuel Adewunmi, Rita Bernard-Shaw, Ifan Huw Dafydd, Zaqi Ismail, Gareth Kennerley, Bethan Mary-James, Sarah Parish, Zephryn Taitte, Diana Nneka Atuona, Ellie-Mae Siame
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Théâtre
Original
156) Watch on the Rhine (Original)
Joué durant 1 mois 3 semaines
Première preview: 09 December 2022
Première: 09 December 2022
Dernière: 04 February 2023
Compositeur: *** Divers •
Parolier: *** Divers •
Libettiste: *** Divers •
Metteur en scène: Ellen McDougall • Anna Cooper •
Chorégraphe:
Avec: Kate Duchene, Caitlin FitzGerald, Patricia Hodge, John Light, Carylss Peer, Geoffrey Streatfeild, Mark Waschke, David Webber, Bertie Caplan, Finley Glasgow, Henry Hunt, Tamar Laniado, Chloe Raphael
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Théâtre
Revival
155) Henry V (Revival)
Joué durant 1 mois 3 semaines
Première preview: 11 February 2022
Première: 11 February 2022
Dernière: 09 April 2022
Compositeur:
Parolier:
Libettiste: William Shakespeare •
Metteur en scène: Max Webster •
Chorégraphe:
Avec: Kit Harington (Henry V), Jude Akuwudike, Seumas Begg, Claire-Louise Cordwell, Kate Duchêne, Olivier Huband, Melissa Johns, David Judge, Danny Kirrane, Anoushka Lucas, Adam Maxey, Steven Meo, Marienella Phillips, Joanna Songi, Millicent Wong, Gethin Alderman, Diany Bandza, Thomas Dennis
Commentaire:
Presse: ★★★★ ‘A broodingly impressive production.’ - Time Out
★★★★ ‘A victory’ - Telegraph
★★★★ ‘Violent, devastating, and astonishing in its power’ - The I
★★★★ ‘Kit Harington is resoundly good’ - The Times
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Musical
Original
Théâtre
Revival
153) Far Away (Revival)
Joué durant 1 mois 2 semaines
Première preview: 06 February 2020
Première: 06 February 2020
Dernière: 21 March 2020
Compositeur: *** Divers •
Parolier: *** Divers •
Libettiste: *** Divers •
Metteur en scène: Lyndsey Turner •
Chorégraphe:
Avec: Jessica Hynes (Harper), Aisling Loftus (Joan), Simon Manyonda (Todd)
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Théâtre
Original
152) Teenage Dick (Original)
Joué durant 1 mois 3 semaines
Première preview: 06 December 2019
Première: 12 December 2019
Dernière: 01 February 2020
Compositeur: *** Divers •
Parolier: *** Divers •
Libettiste: *** Divers •
Metteur en scène: Michael Longhurst •
Chorégraphe:
Avec: Daniel Monks, Susan Wokoma (Elizabeth York), Callum Adams (Eddie Ivy), Alice Hewkin (Clarissa Duke), Siena Kelly (Anne Margaret), Ruth Madeley (Barbara - Buck - Buckingham), Daniel Monks (Richard), Susan Wokoma (Elizabeth York).
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Théâtre
Original
151) [Blank] (Original)
Joué durant 1 mois 2 semaines
Première preview: 11 October 2019
Première: 17 October 2019
Dernière: 30 November 2019
Compositeur: *** Divers •
Parolier: *** Divers •
Libettiste: *** Divers •
Metteur en scène: Maria Aberg •
Chorégraphe:
Avec: Ayesha Antoine, Shona Babayemi, Sophia Brown, Jackie Clune, Grace Doherty, Lucy Edkins, Zaris-Angel Hator, Zainab Hasan, Joanna Horton, Thusitha Jayasundera, Petra Letang, Leah Mondesir-Simmonds, Kate O’Flynn, Ashna Rabheru, Jemima Rooper and Taya Tower.
Commentaire: Alice Birch’s heartbreaking new play reaches across society to explore the impact of the criminal justice system on women and their families.
From 100 unnamed scenes, this theatrical provocation challenges the creative team to construct an entirely unique production. Directed by Maria Aberg, [BLANK] celebrates the 40th anniversary of Clean Break, the leading theatre company working with women affected by the criminal justice system. (plus)
Presse: ★★★★★ Independent | ★★★★ Daily Mail | ★★★★ Daily Telegraph | ★★★★ Evening Standard | ★★★★ Financial Times | ★★★★ Metro | ★★★★ Observer | ★★★★ Sunday Times | ★★★★ The Stage | ★★★★ Time Out | ★★★★WhatsOnStage | ★★★★★ A Younger Theatre | ★★★★ Broadway World | ★★★★ Gay Times | ★★★★ Londonist | ★★★★ Libby Purves for TheatreCat | ★★★★ The Upcoming |
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Théâtre
Revival
150) Appropriate (Revival)
Joué durant 1 mois 2 semaines
Première preview: 16 August 2019
Première: 16 August 2019
Dernière: 05 October 2019
Compositeur: *** Divers •
Parolier: *** Divers •
Libettiste: *** Divers •
Metteur en scène: Ola Ince •
Chorégraphe:
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Presse: 'A laugh-out-loud play which uses America’s original sin of slavery to explore identity and relationships in a family drama.' ★★★★★ Afridiziak
‘A bitingly funny family drama — and a shrewd analysis of the state of the nation’ ★★★★ Financial Times
'Both gravely serious and mordantly funny... Jacobs-Jenkins pushes everything to the limits' ★★★★ Guardian
★★★★ Daily Telegraph | ★★★★ Evening Standard | ★★★★ Financial Times | ★★★★ Guardian | ★★★★ Mail on Sunday | ★★★★ Metro | ★★★★ Observer | ★★★★ Times | ★★★★ Time Out | ★★★★★ Afridiziak | ★★★★ Arts Desk | ★★★★ Broadway World | ★★★★★ Gay Times | ★★★★ The Stage | ★★★★ The Upcoming | ★★★★ WhatsOnstage
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Théâtre
Revival
149) Europe (Revival)
Joué durant 1 mois 2 semaines
Première preview: 20 June 2019
Première: 27 June 2019
Dernière: 10 August 2019
Compositeur: *** Divers •
Parolier: *** Divers •
Libettiste: *** Divers •
Metteur en scène: Michael Longhurst •
Chorégraphe:
Avec: Theo Barklem-Biggs, Ron Cook, Billy Howle, Kevork Malikyan, Faye Marsay, Natalia Tena, Stephen Wight, Shane Zaza
Commentaire: Michael Longhurst directs the 25th anniversary revival as his inaugural production as Artistic Director of the Donmar. (plus)
Presse:
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Michael Longhurst devient le quatrième directeur du Donmar Warehouse
Il succède à Sam Mendes (1992–2002), Michael Grandage (2002–2011) et Josie Rourke (2012–2019).