Andrews made his first stage appearance in September 1933 at the Liverpool Playhouse playing John in "The Long Christmas Dinner". He made his London debut in March 1935 at the St James's Theatre playing the role of John in "Worse Things Happen at Sea". In March 1936 he starred alongside Paul Robeson, Orlando Martins and Robert Adams in the production of the play Toussaint Louverture - The story of the only successful slave revolt in history by C.L.R. James at the Westminster Theatre in London. In October 1936, Andrews made his first appearance in New York playing the role of Horatio in "Hamlet" at the Empire Theatre. From September 1937 to April 1938, Andrews worked with John Gielgud's company at the Queen's Theatre, appearing in such shows as "Richard II", "The School for Scandal" and "The Merchant of Venice". In 1939, Andrews assumed the role of Laertes in a production of "Hamlet" at the Lyceum Theatre. This was the final production at the Lyceum before it closed, though it was restored in 1996.