The theatre opened on 12 August 1929 as a super-cinema inspired by New York’s Roxy Cinema and designed by noted cinema architect John Fairweather. Celebrated for its elegant interior décor, it closed in the early 1970s but was saved from demolition after a successful public campaign, gaining Category B listed status in 1974. Converted into a theatre between 1978 and 1980, it passed through several owners before being acquired by ATG in 2009, and its architectural importance was further recognised when its listed status was upgraded to Category A in 2008.

Studio DJL has carried out a range of key improvements to the theatre, including upgrading the technical infrastructure to meet the demands of modern productions, improving accessibility for audiences with audio and visual impairments, and carefully preserving the heritage of the building. Together, these works ensure the venue remains inclusive, technically capable, and historically respected while continuing to operate as a leading cultural space.