Designed by architect Paul Tvrtkovic and scenic designer Sean Kenny ("Blitz!", "Oliver!", "Pickwick (musical)"), modelled after the Walter Gropius Total-Theater, and seating 960 on 2 levels, the theatre's auditorium first opened with a television recording of Marlene Dietrich's one-woman show. The theatre officially opened on 2 January 1973 with a production of "The Unknown Soldier and His Wife" starring Peter Ustinov. It then hosted "Grease", starring Richard Gere as Danny. Beginning in 1977, the theatre was used as a television studio for several years and then returned to use as a theatre. The theatre's biggest hit was the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn musical "Cats", choreographed by Gillian Lynne which premièred in the theatre on 11 May 1981. Closing in 2002, this production became the longest running musical in West End history.