Amy Rosenthal's play Henna Night, which opens on Nov. 29, is launching the Chelsea Theatre in London.

Located at World's End, at the far end of the King's Road, this used to be the Chelsea Centre but after securing considerable funds from a variety of sources, including Sir Anthony Hopkins (Lady Hopkins is on the board) and the Rausing Foundation, it is now an independent theatre.

Sitting 110 people (just over the figure that Trevor Nunn has quoted as being the ideal size for the Lyttleton Studio that he will create in 2002), the Chelsea Theatre aims to develop new writing of high literary value.

Rosenthal's previous play, Sitting Pretty, premiered at the then Chelsea Centre in 1999, and is currently on a national tour starring Rosenthal's mother, the actress and writer Maureen Lipman.

Artistic Director Francis Alexander hopes the Chelsea Theatre will become a major player in the production and presentation of world and British premieres in London.

His aim is to serve the local and London-wide audience through the development of new plays and by providing a diverse program of complimentary arts and educational activities.

—by Paul Webb Theatrenow