The Dominion Theatre, a historic venue in London’s West End, has secured its long-term future by purchasing the freehold from its landlord, achieving a significant milestone for this landmark. The Dominion Theatre, which opened its doors in 1929 and has hosted some of London’s most celebrated productions, including The Sound of Music and We Will Rock You, is now set to debut London’s newest musical, The Devil Wears Prada, with music composed by Elton John. More than 60,000 people flock to see the bright lights of the Dominion each month, making it a beloved destination for theatre lovers worldwide. In addition to hosting short-term runs of shows, such as the King and I and Sister Act, the Dominion also opens its doors for events and concerts, welcoming new visitors.
Nederlander Theatres, the family business that is synonymous with New York’s Broadway, owns and operates the Dominion Theatre, as well as the Aldwych Theatre, and shares ownership of the Adelphi Theatre with LW Theatres in London. By purchasing the freehold of the Dominion with the support of a multimillion-pound loan from Lloyds Bank, Nederlander is fulfilling its long-standing goal to invest in the Dominion, and to restore this Grade-II listed venue to its “original art deco glory”.
As a part of its efforts to transform the Dominion, Nederlander Theatres has created a modular stage and introduced a new flying system, which can hold over 40 tonnes of stage props and settings, allowing the venue to host bigger and more lavish productions than ever before. Owning the Dominion outright means Nederlander Theatres can continue to invest in the venue, delivering the very best shows and experiences for its visitors.
Jerry Katzman, CEO at the Dominion Theatre, says, “The Nederlander family has been in the theatre business continuously since 1912, and it’s their passion to keep theatrical performances in the industry and to restore them to their iconic magnificent grandeur. We now have the base to press on with that ambition, and the Dominion’s ready to deliver unmissable shows for generations to come.”
Lloyds Bank has supported this significant purchase, protecting a vital cultural asset in London, and helping to fulfil the Dominion’s strategic objective for decades. Creative businesses across London can continue to dream big, be ambitious, and deliver show-stopping growth with Lloyds Bank remaining by their side.
