An earlier theatre, a converted chapel opened in 1870, closed in 1887 and was demolished. Walter Emden and Bertie Crewe designed the present building, which opened on September 24, 1888 as the New Court Theatre. The article describes a free Italianate style in red brick, moulded brick and a stone facade. It held 841 seats then. The theatre ceased use in 1932 and served as a cinema from 1935 until bombing in the Second World War. It reopened in 1952.
Haworth Tompkins rebuilt it from 1996 to 2000 with a 16.2 million pound grant from the National Lottery and the Arts Council, keeping the facade and the intimate auditorium. It reopened in February 2000. It now has 380 seats in the Theatre Downstairs and 85 in the Theatre Upstairs.
The English Stage Company has owned it since 1956. It has been Grade II listed since 1972.
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