Plaque
1946 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This plaque hung on the wall at London's Windmill Theatre in Great Windmill Street. It was produced to commemorate the theatre's reputation as the theatre that 'Never Closed' during the second World War, and to show the regard of its employees for Vivian Van Damm (1889-1960) who opened the Revudeville shows in 1932 for its owner Laura Henderson (1863-1944). Henderson had bought it as the cinema the Palais de Luxe in 1930, had it remodelled by the architect Howard Jones and re-named it The Windmill but the Revudeville shows with their 'tasteful' immobile tableaux of near-naked glamour girls made it a legendary success.
On her death in 1944 Henderson bequeathed it to Van Damm who ran it until his death in December 1960, when he left it to his daughter the rall driver Sheila Van Damm. The theatre closed officially on 31st October 1964.
On her death in 1944 Henderson bequeathed it to Van Damm who ran it until his death in December 1960, when he left it to his daughter the rall driver Sheila Van Damm. The theatre closed officially on 31st October 1964.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Engraved brass plaque screwed to a wooden base, painted gold at the edges. |
| Brief description | Plaque commemorating the fact that The Windmill Theatre 'Never Closed' during the war years 1939-1945, and a token of appreciation to Vivian Van Damm. Dated 1939-1945. Brass and wood. Gift of Sheila Van Damm. |
| Physical description | Brass wall plaque mounted on a wooden base, the wood painted gold where visible when fixed to a wall. The plaque is engraved: 1939-1945. This plaque is to commemorate the fact that 'The Windmill' was the only London theatre to keep open right through the war years. It is also a small token of sincere appreciation of all the employees to Vivian Van Damm, who was solely responsible for 'We Never Closed'. 14th anniversary February 4th 1946. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Gift of Sheila Van Damm |
| Object history | This plaque was erected at The Windmill Theatre in 1946 for the founder of the Revudeville shows Vivian Van Damm. On his death the theatre was inherited by his daughter Sheila Van Damm who gave her collection to the V&A's Theatre Collections in September 1967. The plaque was lent to the Imperial War Museum's London At War exhibition in 1995. |
| Associations | |
| Summary | This plaque hung on the wall at London's Windmill Theatre in Great Windmill Street. It was produced to commemorate the theatre's reputation as the theatre that 'Never Closed' during the second World War, and to show the regard of its employees for Vivian Van Damm (1889-1960) who opened the Revudeville shows in 1932 for its owner Laura Henderson (1863-1944). Henderson had bought it as the cinema the Palais de Luxe in 1930, had it remodelled by the architect Howard Jones and re-named it The Windmill but the Revudeville shows with their 'tasteful' immobile tableaux of near-naked glamour girls made it a legendary success. On her death in 1944 Henderson bequeathed it to Van Damm who ran it until his death in December 1960, when he left it to his daughter the rall driver Sheila Van Damm. The theatre closed officially on 31st October 1964. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.3275-1994 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2014 |
| Record URL |
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