About
Great West End Theatres
Great West End Theatres is the first series of its kind, originally planned to document all 40 of London’s theatres, 10 of which are now available.
A carefully researched and well-written history of the best London has to offer, it is also a backstage pass onto the finest stages in the world.
Great West End Theatres is an enjoyable, informed and informative stroll around London’s famed Theatreland in the company of the celebrated, much loved and sadly missed Sir Donald Sinden CBE.
The first 10 episodes of the series were broadcast in 2013 on Sky Arts 2 in the UK.
Marc Sinden – Director
Marc Sinden worked in film and theatre (mainly in London’s West End) as both actor and producer, and directed the 10-part documentary series Great West End Theatres, detailing the history of major playhouses in London.
He was artistic director of the Mermaid Theatre and inaugurated the British Theatre Season in Monaco, which was awarded a Royal Warrant by Prince Albert of Monaco. His first West End production was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and another won the Stage Award for Best Ensemble work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
He was also the director and co-author of the touring anthology “Seven Deadly Sins, Four Deadly Sinners” and was nominated for a Sony Award for his voice-overs for the Apple Computers TV advertisements.
Jo Gilbert – Producer
Jo Gilbert was the producer of the Great West End Theatres series, ten of which were completed. In their review of the series, the British Theatre Guide said “This film is as close as one can get to standing on the stage taking an ovation. This series is beautifully filmed and gets the balance exactly right between classy camera work, history, reminiscence and gossip.”
She produced the film Closing the Ring, the last film directed by Richard Attenborough, which was released in 2007.
Her previous film credits as Associate Producer are Puckoon (2002), directed by Terence Ryan; Darkness Falls (1999) directed by Gerry Lively; The Brylcreem Boys (1998) directed and produced by Terence Ryan and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1993).
She was also instrumental in originally creating the Paint Hall Film Studios in Belfast, now known as the Titanic Studios, in the Titanic Quarter, Belfast.
Premiere Picture – Associate Producers
Premiere Picture is part of a film finance, production and distribution group based in the UK that has funded over 100 feature films and documentaries to date.