This theatre, here in Sloane Square, had at least two periods of considerable success in the 20th century. The first was under the direction of Harley Granville-Barker (1877-1946) and his partner Vedrenne between 1904 and 1908 and the second by the English Stage Company directed by George Devine (1910-65) which opened thir first season in April 1956. One of Granville-Barker's achievements was the promotion of the plays of George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) but another of considerable significance was the production of plays by foreign writers. The English Stage Company really gave a major kick to the development of the post-war new writing talent. They presented John Osborne, Arnold Wesker, Harold Pinter and N.F. Simpson amongst others. John Osborne's 'Look Back in Anger' was their third production. This was the origination of 'The Angry Young Man' and 'kitchen-sink drama' which diverted a large part of british stage writing to a new track.

O/S Co-ords:2806.7868
Source(s):

Chambers Biographical Dictionary

Chelsea