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14 March 2012 / News

West End Stage

Sunday 25 – Monday 26 March, 2012
Theatre Royal Haymarket, London

The Theatre Royal Haymarket has teamed up with the Department of Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway, University of London, and the V&A for a special two day conference celebrating all that makes the West End the very best place for theatre in the world.

On Sunday leading scholars and historians, including renowned expert on West End theatre buildings John Earl, will talk about a wide range of topics from Oscar Wilde to Christmas panto, James Winston and his part in founding the Garrick Club to the amazing Gatti family who held a virtual monopoly on providing electricity to light the West End stage. In addition to the launch of Jacky Bratton’s book, there will also be an exhibition of theatre ephemera.

On Monday the focus will move to roundtable discussions with current theatre makers, critics and producers. What makes the West End special for them? What do audiences want from their ‘good night out’? How important is ‘Theatreland’ to the future of the West End?

Also featuring, will be the launch of a new book by one-time STR committee member Professor Jacky Bratton, The Making of The West End Stage.