The Architecture (and stories) of London Theatres

Yes, but it would be even better if they could add a description to the portrait of Gertie Millar which is currently totally anonymous. I wrote to the management about this when the portrait was obscured by piles of junk, which have now been removed, but alas the picture will be meaningless to anybody but theatrical anoraks like me. GM was queen of Edwardian musical theatre in London, performing mainly at the Gaiety and Daly's Theatres in shows like 'Our Miss Gibbs', 'A Country Girl', 'The Toreador', 'The Quaker Girl' and many others.

What makes the Peacock even worse is that it is built on the site of the Stoll Theatre; surely one of the finest theatres ever built, anywhere.

(If I knew how to post a picture, I would. Perhaps my old pal @caiaphas would be kind enough to do it for me?)

The Stoll Theatre on Kingsway, where Kismet was playing at the time of this photograph....

Inside it looked rather grand apparently...

And now we've got this (so we can imagine what that looks like on the inside even if we haven't been in and had the misfortune of sitting through The Snowman... )


Is there anything else I can do for you, my old china, TallPaul ?



The mention of the Barbican Theatre (not my idea of "cosy" to be honest) made me think of two things I love about that place- the long, long rows of seats, each with its own door, all closing as if by magic just before the performance starts!

And yes, I agree, I feel that certain magic when I first walk into an auditorium. There's a smell too... I always have to look around before I sit down, and then once I've sat down, and if there's no-one to disturb, I might have to get up and walk to the front, look back, look up, look into the orchestra pit. Drink it all in... Mmmmmmmmm, yes. (As Kate Bush once said.)

When I go to the theatre I want the experience to begin outside- the building should make me want to go in. Then the foyer's got to welcome me. I want to feel excited on my journey, walking up, down, along to the auditorium. Touring Radio City Music Hall in NY some years back, we were told that the architect wanted patrons to feel that they were boarding a magnificent cruise ship, at a time when cruises were only for the rich and famous. There's a vast sloping foyer you take in before you discover the beauty inside.

Here is another of the Stoll Theatre I found:

It was originally built as The London Opera House. Looks rather posh. I've never seen a theatre like that before with the boxes going all the way around under the dress circle...quirky!

The Victoria Palace is lovely post-refurb, even if the legroom is non-existent (that's a debate for another thread...).

Yes...I agree...much like the O2. 

Has anyone seen any of these?

greatwestendtheatres.co.uk

The 16 minute trailer is worth a look, plus so lovely to see the great and late Sir Donald Sinden presenting the episodes with such passion.

Any thoughts from those who have seen the episodes let me know  

Many thanks, Monkey, for that brilliant information. It's a pity that there are not more images of the interior of theatres from that period. The one that I am particularly familiar with (I have copy framed on my wall) is the picture (drawing) from the Illustrated London News of the interior of the Savoy Theatre in 1881 when it first opened with Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Patience' and that has no boxes across the front of the Dress Circle. This picture can be seen on the internet if you Google 'Savoy Theatre'. 

Well, I have just had a partial victory over technology by posting my very first image from the internet on Theatre Board but I wasn't able to add any text to it. Maybe next time?

Anyway, this is the interior of the Savoy Theatre in 1881 when it first opened with 'Patience'. It was the first theatre in the world to be entirely lit by electricity and there were no EU laws insisting on LED globes! As you can see, the boxes were in the traditional place alongside the proscenium and there were no boxes across the centre of the Dress Circle. Those drawings from the Illustrated London News are so evocative. The version I have framed on my wall has been skilfully hand-coloured which makes it even more exciting.

What's interesting from what we've discussed already are there are 3 types of west end theatres:

• Musical houses
• Play houses
• Interchangeable

It's funny about the Garrick as it is pretty much the same as The Queens, yet musicals don't sit too well there.

I like the Apollo Victoria. I feel like it’s Art Deco look with the fountains, green LEDs (not specific for Wicked - they are part of the building design) and even the ceiling fit Wicked really well with all of its gears and cogs in the set design.

Despite being old, (well admittedly it is one of the younger West End houses) it still looks fairly modern which fits the aesthetic of the show.

Nothing to do with the architecture but I like the location too. Only 2 theatres in Victoria, which means that public transport afterwards is usually more bearable. Compare that to Shaftesbury Avenue/Haymarket, where 6 or so venues will be emptying at the same time and all heading for Piccadilly Circus Station. Nightmare!