Duke of York’s Theater renamed after Tom Stoppard | stage

The Duke of York Theater in the West End is set to become the Tom Stoppard Theater in tribute to the playwright who died in November.

The theater is currently showing Carrie Cracknell’s revival of Stoppard’s 1993 masterpiece Arcadia and the same play was produced there in 2009. The playwright’s wife, Sabrina Stoppard, said: “Tom was in his element whenever he had a play in the West End, so I’m thrilled that this theater will be named after him. It means his memory will live on, not only through his plays, but also through this theatre.” “The building.”

Stoppard, who has died aged 88, also had a huge hit at the Duke of York’s Theater with Rock and Roll in 2006. Melanie Smith, global chief executive of ATG Entertainment, which runs the venue, said: “We are proud to be the custodians of such a historic theatre, and believe today’s announcement recognizes the huge impact Sir Tom Stoppard has had on British theatre… We look forward to welcoming audiences to the Arcadia Theatre’s current offering, and to future productions that continue to celebrate his influence Permanent.

Sonia Freedman, producer of the Arcadia Theater (which moved from the Old Vic), said: “I have had the privilege of producing many of Tom’s plays, including at this theatre, and, most importantly, to call him a dear friend. We have shared countless coffees opposite the stage, and I can imagine him looking at his name on the building, absolutely tickling pink.”

Stoppard died before rehearsals for Arcadia began at the Old Vic. “His work ethic remained undimmed – he was involved in every casting decision and willing to discuss his beautiful, complex, multi-layered play,” Cracknell wrote at the time. “His loss will be deeply felt by the entire company.” The production was nominated for Best Revival at the Olivier Awards as well as Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Isis Hainsworth. She reprises her role as teenage prodigy Thomasina Coverley in bringing the play to the West End, which is staged in a circular format and jumps between two different centuries to explore questions of the universe and the heart.

The Duke of York’s Theatre, in St Martin’s Street, was once called the Trafalgar Square Theater and was renamed in 1894 after King George V. Its close neighbors include the Noel Coward Theater and the Colosseum.

It was announced last month that London’s Shaftesbury Theater will be renamed the Judi Dench Theater from February, an honor Dench described as “really overwhelming”.