"The Arts Theatre opened in 1927 as a members-only club for the performance of unlicensed plays, meaning that the censorship by the Lord Chamberlain's office did not apply. This allowed the theatre to present daring, experimental and controversial productions not available to other venues. Remember, the government could censor theatre plays right up to 1968, when it finally bowed to pressure to abolish the role of official censor in the Theatres Act 1968."
"They've now been given planning permission to erect a temporary replacement theatre on land next to Marble Arch, with a capacity for 500 people. The location has been used for a theatre before, as a 6-month temporary theatre was erected there in 2017, and more recently and more controversially, it's where The Mound stood. The new theatre is effectively a very large, pitched-roof marquee, surrounded by decorative aluminium cladding in the style of thick stitching."
The Arts Theatre opened in 1927 as a members-only club for unlicensed plays, avoided Lord Chamberlain censorship and staged daring, experimental and controversial productions. Government censorship of theatre lasted until the Theatres Act 1968 abolished the official censor. The theatre's lease was taken by producers in 2000 and relaunched as a West End venue; it is now under new management undertaking refurbishment ahead of its centenary. Planning permission has been granted for a temporary 500-seat replacement theatre on land next to Marble Arch. The structure will be a large pitched-roof marquee with decorative aluminium cladding, full backstage facilities and a bar, aiming to open in spring 2026.
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