In 1986, DLT Entertainment broadened its entertainment base into the world of live theatre by becoming a substantial shareholder in the West End’s Theatre of Comedy—a unique theatrical production entity that also owns its own West End theatre, The Shaftesbury Theatre, a 1400 seat, beautifully restored turn-of-the-century theatre..

The Theatre of Comedy was founded by Ray Cooney, one of the world’s top creator/writers of Farce—a theatrical tradition in which the British excel. Cooney assembled a company of 35 of the foremost comedy performers and writers to create an entity that would specialize in the creation and production of comedy entertainment on the West End, and that would also help develop and continue the U.K.’s rich tradition through bringing forward new plays and new talent.

In its U.K. television production activities (its newest endeavor), The Theatre of Comedy has produced for the BBC As Time Goes By, starring Theatre of Comedy Founder Members Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer.

In the U.S., Taffner’s New York live theatre productions or co-productions include Run For Your Wife (Virginia Theatre), Stand Up Tragedy (Criterion Theatre), and Return To The Forbidden Planet (Variety Arts Theatre).

Today, DLT Entertainment is the sole owner of The Theatre of Comedy and Shaftesbury Theatre and has invested in a flytower extension and master plan expansion.