Arts Theatre could be demolished by landlord

One of the West End's most celebrated theatres has been threatened with demolition after a dispute with its landlord.

The Arts Theatre could close as early as August if plans to demolish the building and redevelop the site go ahead.

The 1927 venue is owned by India-based Gamma Investments, which wants to build hotels, offices and a smaller theatre on the Great Newport Street site.

Unless an urgent agreement is reached to safeguard the Arts Theatre, programming will be halted when the current production - Immodesty Blaize and Walter's Burlesque! - finishes on 30 July.

A spokesman for the Arts Theatre said: "[Our] future lies in the hands of the freehold property developers who now seem on course to knock the theatre down."

Director of the Arts Theatre Edward Snape had planned to restore the building and add a club and restaurant to the existing premises.

He said: "This theatre is one of the few independents in the West End and my sense of what has been achieved so far is that we can aim higher still once the building is refurbished and secure."

The Arts Theatre was the first London home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has also been the venue for several critically acclaimed productions.

A spokesman for Gamma Investments was unavailable for comment.