Windmill Theatre, Theatre in Soho, London, United Kingdom
The Windmill Theatre is a theatre building in Soho with 322 seats arranged across two levels and a stage on Great Windmill Street. The auditorium creates an intimate setting through its compact design and close proximity to the stage, which remains visible from both tiers.
Laura Henderson purchased the Palais de Luxe cinema in 1930 and converted it into a theatre that opened on 15 June 1931. The venue remained open throughout World War II, becoming a symbol of London's resilience during difficult times.
The venue introduced Revudeville performances in 1932, presenting continuous variety shows that included motionless nude tableaux known as the Windmill Girls.
The theatre sits in the heart of Soho within walking distance from several Underground stations including Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. The basement levels, once used as shelters during air raids, now serve as part of the building's technical infrastructure.
Starting in 1932, the venue introduced a Revudeville format featuring continuous performances with motionless performers in theatrical tableaus. These presentations sidestepped censorship regulations and made the venue widely known across London for decades.
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