His MajestyÕs Building

African Consolidated Theatres commissioned J.C. Cook and Cowen to design a new theatre and office complex in 1937, to replace the theatre of the same name which had opened in 1903. Construction was interrupted by World War 11 and only completed in 1945. Decorated with the plushness befitting royalty, His MajestyÕs became the venue for spectacular productions. The theatre occupied the central block between the office towers which were topped with steel crowns, lit up at night. Advocate Joe Slovo, a leading communist and later Chief of Staff of Umkhonto WeSizwe in the anti-apartheid struggle, had chambers in the office towers.