Helen Hayes Theatre, New York

The Folies- Bergere opened as a theatre restaurant providing a supper, entertainment and a late night cabaret. It was very expensive to operate and only lasted a few months until September 1911 when it was remodelled as a conventional theatre and reopened in October 1911 as the Fulton Theatre. On the 21st November 1955 it was renamed the Helen Hayes Theatre in honour of the actress’ fifty years on stage. The last production played there in May 1981. The site was required for a controversial redevolpment as a luxury hotel and four other theatre s were demolished as well – the Astor, Victoria, Bijou and Morosco. Preservation groups fought for nine years to save the theatres but the Hayes was the only one to have a court order delaying its demolition. By the time the theatre’s fate had been decided in October 1982 the other four theatres had already been demolished. The public outcry was such that landmark status has been obtained for nearly all the remaining Times Square legitimate theatres.
The site is now occupied by the Marriott Marquis Hotel which has incorporated within it the Marquis Theatre.
Another theatre was named for the actress when the Little Theatre reopened in 1983.

Past productions

  • 210 W. 46th Street, New York
  • Opened 27th April 1911
  • Closed 10th May 1981

Also called

  • Fulton Theatre, New York (20th October 1911 – 1955)
  • Folies Begeres, New York (27th April – September 1911)

Photographs

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