 During the Great Depression of the 1930s the theatre was not profitable and closed completely for six months.In 1938 the lease was taken over by Reg Maddox, whose family were involved with the theatre for the next 40 years.During World War II the theatre fared better, with appearances by prominent actors including Donald Wolfit, Irene Vanbrugh, John Gielgud and Sybil Thorndike.