The Duke of York’s theater will be renamed Tom Stoppard | Theater

The Duke of York’s theater in the West End is to be Tom Stoppard theater in honor of 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 always in his company when he had a play in the West End, so I’m delighted to hear that the theater will be named after him.” It means that his memory will live on, not only through his plays, but also through this building.”

stop, who died at the age of 88he also impressed the Duke of York’s Rock’n’Roll in 2006. Melanie Smith, CEO of ATG Entertainment which manages the venue, said: “We are proud to be the manager of such a historic theater, and we believe today’s announcement recognizes the contribution Sir Tom Stoppard has made to British theatre…

Sonia Friedman, producer of Arcadia (which transferred from the Old Vic), said: “I had the privilege of producing many of Tom’s plays, including in the theatre, and most importantly, to call him a good friend.

Stoppard died shortly before rehearsing Arcadia at the Old Vic. “His work ethic remained steadfast – making every decision and wanting to discuss his beautiful, complex and diverse game,” wrote Cracknell at the time. “His loss will be deeply felt by the entire company.” The production was nominated for an Olivier award for best revival and best supporting actress for Isis Hainsworth. She is reprising her role as the young teenager Thomasina Coverly in the West End transfer of the play, which revolves around and jumps between two different eras to explore matters of the universe and the heart.

The Duke of York’s, on St Martin’s Lane, was originally called the Trafalgar Square theater and was renamed in 1894 by King George V. Nearby neighbors are the Noël Coward theater and the Coliseum.

Last month it was announced that London’s Shaftesbury Theater will be renamed the Judi Dench theater from February, an honor that Dench called “that’s a lot“.