The New Playhouse Theatre had stood on a Soho street corner near the John Snow memorial since 1879. A circular building bookending a four-storey row of converted Victorian houses in shades of pink, white and grey, the theatre had closed its doors on 23 November 1961 and remained derelict ever since. A few revivals were attempted but a survey in the early nineties identified a number of major structural problems with the upper circle, making a restoration unviable. A consortium of investors made one final attempt at resurrection in 1992, but when that effort failed less than a year later, the building was forgotten, sold off and eventually became the property of local businessman Sir Eric Warner, albeit through inheritance rather than choice.

With the building effectively sterilised, Sir Eric had sought to salvage something and applied for a conversion into flats. The cost of the project was enormous and unlikely to yield much by way of profit but Sir Eric couldn’t bear to see the old building completely go to waste. Thus, it was with considerable enthusiasm that he now opened the door to the owner of the white Ford Mondeo parked outside who strode in and looked around admiringly at the cluttered foyer with the intention of hiring the space for an art project of an unspecified nature.

And why not? If the theatre was to be abandoned completely, subject to the borough council’s procrastinations over planning issues, then one last performance of any artistic merit would be worthwhile.

Sir Eric studied his visitor as they made their way through to the auditorium and concluded that the phone manner didn’t fit the physical appearance but was otherwise unperturbed. And the stranger certainly seemed passionate about the project, asking plenty of appropriate questions, mostly about acoustics. Of course, Sir Eric had few answers of any credibility but was happy to indulge in a deliberation over the position of microphones to record a monologue of some description.

A keen interest was shown in the control booth, although of course it was devoid of any equipment, and much excitement was exhibited at the little window pointing out to the stage.

‘And the lighting?’ Sir Eric enquired. ‘It is extremely dull in the auditorium. Will that pose a problem for you?’

‘Oh, I think not. Nothing that cannot be overcome, at any rate.’

Sir Eric felt the meeting was positive, albeit that his new renter had many strange mannerisms. A modest fee was agreed and Sir Eric shook hands and watched the Ford Mondeo drive off.

An art project. How fascinating.

Chapter 51

Chapter 51