INTERVIEW with Artistic Director Robert McWhir and Company Director Richard Lambert

Exciting new pub theatre, STAGE DOOR THEATRE is enviably located in the West End of London, a few moments’ walk from Covent Garden tube station. It offers a combined theatre dining experience as well as regular theatre tickets.  Founder Richard Lambert (formerly director of The Garden Theatre in Vauxhall) and his production company, LAMBCO, is managing the venue.  Robert McWhir (formerly Artistic Director of Landor Theatre in Clapham) has joined him as Artistic Director.   

STAGE DOOR THEATRE opened its doors in January 2024. The theatre is upstairs on the first floor of PRINCE OF WALES pub on Drury Lane. The venue has cabaret style tables where audiences can enjoy a meal while watching a show.   “It’s unique selling point” explains Richard “is that people can turn up at almost any time they like from 5 – 7.30 for pre-theatre drinks and food.” 

Robert McWhir is no stranger to the concept of theatre dining venues. “It’s a very popular genre in South Africa” he explains “but it’s quite unusual in this country”.  It does have previous, however, as founder of King’s Head Theatre, Dan Crawford, trialled the idea in 1970, before the venue began to "get more commercial, putting in more seats".  Lambert describes the new venture as "the new King's Head in the West End".  The programming policy will mainly focus on plays, new writing and a variety of musical theatre events.  For example, SUNDAY IN THE PUB WITH OVERTURES, invites audience to join the pianist and host in a heartwarming showtune singalong paired with a mouthwatering Sunday roast, and DECOMPOSING COMPOSERS will be a matinee concert of music along with some interesting facts abut the composers themselves. 

Lambert says that “the food is cooked freshly on site, not like Wetherspoons, where it’s reheated.”  “It’s a place to meet friends, share a drink, order a meal, with QR codes at the table, and a la carte available” adds Lambert. Dog lovers should take note that the venue is dog friendly, and they are welcome to join their owners upstairs in the theatre.  Lambert mentions that dogs came along to THE GARDEN THEATRE in Vauxhall. “They enjoy the show, and behave better than some adults” laughs Lambert. 

Lambert is ecstatic about the location of the venue and describes what can be seen from the front door. “Look left and you can see Covent Garden tube station, look right and you can see the Gillian Lynne Theatre; it’s at the intersection of Long Acre and Drury Lane”.

McWhir, agrees that “the location is second to none”. He’s a man of few words and so there is considerable weight in his affirmation that he’s “looking forward to the challenge”. Lambert explains that McWhir’s “vast experience in running a successful fringe venue along with his extensive freelance directing experience makes him uniquely qualified to steer this new venture.” The pair have worked together on many productions in different venues and it’s clear that both are looking forward to working together again. 

They are backed by a board who cover legal, development and cultural matters. Lambert tells the story of how one of their board members found the space. Cultural ambassador, Josephine Buchan, went to a pop-up show at the Prince of Wales. She noted that the venue had done cabaret before, but she thought that it could become a more permanent space.  “It was that lightbulb moment” says Lambert “and it turns out that the landlady, Gini is very pro theatre; she was like ‘so let’s start chatting’”. 

Other developments for the new venue include bringing in lighting and drapes.   Lambert says that “the drapes will enable an end on theatre with a black box space.” With a technical background in lighting design, Lambert is already decking the venue with stage lights and sound equipment. “The function room has been refurbished and looks gorgeous, so we have very discreet LED lights so the room still looks the same”, explains Lambert, “with an option to bring in more lights for specific productions.”

McWhir is keen to steer the venue as a “platform for new work, on the way to bigger venues”.  One of the reasons why he loves fringe theatre and enjoyed his years at the Landor, is because he could get involved in everything.   Lambert agrees. “When working in bigger arenas, like the Disney empire, you had your role, your place, you fitted in like a cog; when I came to London from New York, everyone got involved in everything, it was so exciting.”    They are both happy to muck in, even with jobs like hanging the drapes. More than this they are both excited to help the next generation of theatre makers.  “To work with brand new graduates, just come out of drama school or drama college and the next thing they know they’re in the West End, a number 1 tour, or on the cruise ships.”   

The last word goes to Lambert, who admits he likes a spreadsheet.   “I’m always planning, rigging up stuff, bringing a lot of ideas together, making them happen, and I love seeing the audience enjoying themselves watching brilliant performers.” He feels fortunate to have worked with so many excellent creatives in his career, people like McWhir, Aaron Clingham, and all the writers and performer. “Watching it all like a fly on the wall” says Lambert, “watching it all happen … all those skills I can’t do myself.” 

The full programme of shows can be viewed on STAGE DOOR THEATRE website https://www.stagedoortheatre.co.uk/