as a repertory company, the theatre has been involved in the careers of actors and actresses who have later achieved wide fame. noël coward and gertrude lawrence worked with the company as child actors. other artistes who gained experience at the theatre include robert donat, lilian braithwaite, cecil parker, john gregson, clive brook, c. aubrey smith, richard burton, michael redgrave, diana wynyard, rex harrison, patricia routledge, anthony hopkins, and richard briers.