Wyndham's Theatre

Address: Charing Cross Road, WC2H ODA

Tube: Leicester Square

Architect: W.G.R. Sprague

Opened: 1899

Capacity: 759

The actor theatre manager Charles Wyndham opened two theatres in London, the Criterion, and later his own theatre bearing his name. The Prince of Wales attended the premiere performance, which starred Charles Wyndham and his future wife, Mary Moore in “David Garrick” The Marquis of Salisbury owned the site in the Charing Cross Road and he specified that it could be used as a theatre only if it belonged to the most talented actor of the day Charles Wyndham. However, Mary Moore had to have a few talents of her own. Wyndham did not have the capital but Mary persuaded ten of their friends to fund the building of the theatre.

The theatre opened whilst England was involved in the second Boer War (1899-1902) and the opening nights taking of £4,000 were donated to the Soldiers’ Wives and Families Association.

The Du Maurier family had a long association with Wyndhams. In January 1909 An Englishman’s Home, was directed by Gerald du Maurier. Du Maurier’s brother Guy, a professional soldier, who was confused by fame, played the ‘Patriot’. In 1910 Gerald became actor-manager of the theatre starring in Raffles and Bull-Dog Drummond. Then in 1945 The Years Between, the first of two plays written by du Maurier’s daughter, Daphne, was also presented at Wyndham’s.