During Lou Stein’s tenure as the Artistic Director of the Watford Palace Theatre (1986-1995) he established it as one of the country’s leading repertory theatres. During that period it was particularly known for its string of West End transfers and national tours. Such comedy stars as Lenny Henry, Ruby Wax, and Rik Mayall appeared at the Watford Palace regularly. Under his directorship the theatre enjoyed one of the highest box office percentages in the country whilst pursing an adventurous programming policy.

Jerry Hall starred in BUS STOP in 1990 before the show moved into London’s Comedy Theatre. It was Jerry’s first professional stage appearance and the production attracted huge media interest nationally and internationally.  Equally successful was Simon Gray’s THE COMMON PURSUIT which starred Stephen Fry, Rik Mayall, John Sessions and John Gordon-Sinclair. It transferred to the Phoenix Theatre and enjoyed a long run there. Lou’s own production of the American Broadway show SO LONG ON LONELY STREET toured nationally, as did his production and adaptation of P.G.Wodehouse’s comedy CANDLELIGHT.

"A peach of a production"
Mark Steyn The Independent
on CANDLELIGHT

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