Cameron Mackintosh is renaming two of the theaters under his control. The Strand Theatre will become the Novello Theatre, after actor and writer Ivor Novello, in the fall. The Albery Theatre will be renamed The Noël Coward Theatre in late 2006.
A Cardiff native, Novello lived from 1893 to 1951, when he died of coronary thrombosis. He first came to prominence in 1914 when he wrote the song "Keep The Home Fires Burning," which became something of a theme for Britain during World War I. He went on to write many musicals, including Glamorous Night, Crest of the Wave, The Dancing Years, Perchance to Dream, King's Rhapsody and Careless Rapture. Nivello, who also became a well-known actor, starred in many of his own tuners which were often staged at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His film acting credits include Carnival, The Bohemian Girl, The Man Without Desire, The White Rose, The Rat, The Lodger, Downhill, The Rat, The Return of the Rat, The Constant Nymph, I Lived with You and Autumn Crocus.
Born in Middlesex, England, Coward lived from 1899 to 1973. He was a man of many talents--an actor, director, composer, playwright, filmmaker, novelist and painter. He is perhaps best known for his plays, which are still frequently produced today. They include The Vortex, Hay Fever, Fallen Angels, Private Lives, Design for Living, Tonight at 8:30, Blithe Spirit and Present Laughter. Queen Elizabeth knighted Coward in 1970. None of his individual plays or musicals ever earned him a Tony Award, but the same year he was knighted, Coward did receive a Special Tony Award for "for his multiple and immortal contributions to the theatre."
Both of the theaters are being refurbished before the renaming ceremonies.