In 1954 Rattigan's play, "Separate Tables", began a run of 726 performances, the longest in the history of the St James's. The play starred Margaret Leighton and Eric Portman. During the run of "Separate Tables" it became known that a property developer had acquired the freehold of the theatre and had obtained the requisite permission from the London County Council (LCC) to demolish the building and replace it with an office block. Leigh and Olivier led a nationwide campaign to try to save the theatre. There were street marches and a protest in the House of Lords. A motion was carried against the Government in that house, but to no avail. The LCC ordered that no further theatres would be demolished in central London without a planned replacement, but neither the national nor the local government would intervene to prevent the destruction of the St James's. After the run of "Separate Tables" there were five short-lived productions at the theatre, and the final performance there was given on 27 July 1957. In October the interior was stripped; in November the contents of the theatre were auctioned; and in December the demolition team moved in.