Saville Theatre

ABOUT

The Saville was a West End theatre at 135-149 Shaftesbury Avenue, opened in October 1931. Brian Epstein reopened it in November 1966 as a theatre and music venue, and it held rock concerts until EMI turned it into an ABC cinema in 1970. The listed building was the Odeon Covent Garden until August 2024 and has permission for a hotel with a basement performance space.

SIGNIFICANCE

On 4 June 1967 Jimi Hendrix opened his Saville show with the title track of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, three days after its release, with Paul McCartney in the audience. The Beatles filmed the 'Hello, Goodbye' promo there on 10 November 1967, and the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and the Who also played there between 1966 and 1969.

MUSIC & CHARACTER

SOURCES

Details compiled from public sources. Run this venue? Get in touch to confirm or correct the listing.

1. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1271631 (official website)Supports: Brian Epstein acquired the Saville and opened it in November 1966 as a combined theatre and music venue.
2. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/odeon-covent-garden-surrey-quays-shaftesbury-avenue-closing-shutting-down-cinemas-london-b1175065.html (news article)Supports: Odeon Covent Garden closed on 11 August 2024 for redevelopment.