Windmill Theatre

Theatre in Great Windmill Street, London. It opened in 1931 in what was the Palais de Luxe Cinema, converted by English architect F Edward Jones. The theatre featured nonstop variety 1932–64. After World War II the Windmill took as its motto ‘We never closed’, and became famous as the only theatre to remain open throughout the Blitz.

The theatre, designed by wealthy widow turned theatre owner Laura Henderson (1863–1944), held 320 seats. It opened with the play Inquest! by Michael Barrington. The variety format and the addition of naked female dancers in the 1930s greatly boosted its popularity.

In 1964 the theatre was closed and later reopened as a cinema. From the early 1980s it often hosted live erotic performances. The film Mrs Henderson Presents (2005), starring Judi Dench, is based on Henderson and the theatre.