The Other Palace
The Other Palace is a theatre in London's Off West End which opened on 18 September 2012 as the St. James Theatre.[1] It features a 312-seat main theatre and a 120-seat studio theatre.[2] It was built on the site of the former Westminster Theatre, which was damaged by a fire in 2002 and subsequently demolished.[3] It was owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatres Group from 2016 to 2021, which gave it its current name.[4]
Address
Palace Street
London, SW1
United Kingdom
Bill Kenwright
Off West End theatre
Main stage: 312
Studio theatre: 120
18 September 2012
Foster Wilson Architects
Described as "the first newly built theatre complex in central London for 30 years",[2] the building was designed by Foster Wilson Architects.[5] The theatre began its debut season in September 2012 with the London premiere of Sandi Toksvig's Bully Boy.[1]
After its acquisition by Really Useful Theatres Group, Paul Taylor Mills was appointed as the new artistic director, with a programme intended to develop new musicals. The name change became official in February 2017.[4] In June 2018, Chris Harper stepped into the role of Director of Programming.
In May 2021, Lloyd Webber announced he was putting the theatre up for sale, calling the decision "heart-wrenching" and adding that he hoped "the future owners will love it as much as I have."[6]
In October 2021, it was announced the theatre had been sold to Bill Kenwright.[7] Kenwright had previously produced musicals including Heathers and Be More Chill at The Other Palace.[7]