Windmill Theatre

The Windmill Theatre opened in 1931, initially functioning as a venue for drama productions. After poor commercial success the theatre screened films for a period but eventually settled as a variety and revue venue, becoming best known for its creation of the Revudeville shows (running variety shows featuring song, dance and comedy that continued throughout the day) and its use of themed tableaux vivants . Inspired by the Parisian Folies Bergeres and Moulin Rouge shows, manager Vivian Van Damm introduced glamorous nude women known as the Windmill Girls - circumventing the Lord Chamberlain's (censor for all theatrical performances in London) censorship laws by ensuring his nudes remained in static poses, resembling living statues. Later on the fan dance was introduced as well as moving props, enabling the naked girls to move on stage whilst retaining their modesty and thus remaining 'legal'. These were a huge commercial success and the Windmill Girls toured their show to other London and regional venues.

The Windmill was famous for its motto 'We Never Closed', having stayed open (barring a compulsory closure of 12 days that affected all theatres in 1939) throughout the whole of the Second World War.

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