The apollo theatre, on shaftesbury avenue in londons west end district was the theatre in the news last night which had a large section of its main auditorium ceiling collapse into the orchestra level, which also caused damage to the front of the dress circle. The history of the apollo victoria theatre in london. The main theatre seats approximately 1,300 people, making it one of the largest receiving house theatres outside london. Victoria palace now showing hamilton london box office. It wasnt until the mid18th century, when the less desirable industries tanneries, breweries, foundries began to grow in the east. The new victoria theatre opened in 1992 and established itself as one of the foremost theatres in the south east. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a broad. Victorvictoria, bridewell theatre, london stage the.
The theatre changed names several times during this period as well, becoming the grand opera house in 1885, the victoria opera house in 1899, and, finally, the victoria theatre in 1902. New victoria theatre, woking box office buy tickets online. Opened in 1930 as a cinema and variety theatre, the apollo victoria became a venue for musical theatre, beginning with the sound of music in 1981, and including the longrunning starlight express. This is a very wide auditorium, and those at the extreme sides may suffer with sightlines, but the price of the tickets for these seats does reflect the quality. The apollo victoria theatre, 17 wilton road, westminster, london. You can see a full list of performances by clicking here. Nov 16, 2014 people waiting outside the old vic companys temporary london home at the new theatre now the noel coward for a performance of school for scandal in 1949.
The victoria memorial hall now known as the victoria concert hall, which was built adjacent to the town hall, opened in october 1905. The theatre opened as the new victoria cinema on 15 october 1930 with a film starring george arlis in. New victoria theatre british listed buildings history in. The apollo victoria theatre, 17 wilton road, westminster. Much of the following information has been gathered from frederick and liselone markers in a guide to london theatres, 17501880 in the revels history of drama in english, vol. This period of mid victorian london covers a huge span. National theatre bookshop london london, greater london. Book tickets to see wicked at the apollo victoria in london. In 1886 the original building was demolished and rebuilt, retaining its royal standard name until 1910 when it was rebuilt yet again to incorporate innovations like electricity. The apollo victoria theatre is a west end theatre on wilton road in the westminster district of.
The broadway musical wicked received its london premiere at the venue on 27 september 2006 with a. In addition to the main theatre the complex also contains the smaller rhoda mcgaw theatre and a sixscreen cinema. We take a look back through the programmes and cast lists of the national theatres history. The apollo victoria theatre originally opened as the new victoria, a huge art deco cinema with 2500 seats.
This is the first book to chronicle fully the history of londons old vic theatre. Originally called the new victoria, the building opened as a super. The theatre s auditorium, with an original capacity of 2,860, today 2,328, was designed in the art deco. From the global fame of gandalf and magneto, to an illustrious 60 year stage career at the rsc, national theatre and across the west end, sir ian mckellen is firmly within national treasure territory and widely regarded as one of our finest living actors. The victoria theatre 1899 1915 was a prominent american vaudeville house during the early years of the twentieth century. This was another of those houses south of the thames that catered primarily to workingclass audiences by providing thrilling melodramas. Her research ranges widely over the long 19th century, from childrens books to clowns, and includes an interest in the roots of the popular song and in melodrama. Buy tickets to hamilton at the victoria palace theatre the victoria palace theatre is a west end theatre in victoria street, in the city of westminster.
It was a long period of prosperity for the british people. It occupied the site of a popular music hall, the royal standard, which had begun as the royal standard pub in the 1830s. A story that started out as a 1933 german movie ended up as a hollywood and broadway vehicle for a. Theatre mogul, oscar hammerstein i, opened it in 1899 on the northwest corner of seventh avenue and 42nd street, along new york citys longacre square now times square. London s west end theatres including studio and off west end theatres other london theatres london s lost theatres west end theatreland maps plays of the year 1912 plays of the year 19 plays of the year 1914 one saturday night in the west end 1978 london theatre dimensions 1930 london theatre dimensions 1960 west end seating plans 1930 west end seating plans 1907 london. It is positioned at victoria street, london, sw1e 5ea. Seekers of the magical wicked can often be seen flocking to the west end to fill this massive theatre its capacity currently at 2,304. For up to date information, please see coronavirus covid19 update. Whether hot off the press or about to hit the shelves, this is where you will find the latest titles. Synopsis london has by far the worlds largest and most varied theatre scene a scene that is among the capitals principal attractions.
The theatre has existed on the site since 1832 when it was known as moys music hall and later, in 1863, the royal standard music hall. The theatre also has an entrance on vauxhall bridge road. The apollo victoria theatre continues to make the safety and security of its customers and staff a priority. Following the success of the show on broadway, the london production featured tony award winner idina menzel in the role of elphaba, alongside helen dallimore as glinda, miriam margolyes as. The story of a great theatre from kean to olivier to spacey main by. The news theatre on the station was also notorious as was the back circle of the new victoria, now apollo theatre next door and the classic cinema which i helped manage in the 60s.
Bookstore in london, greater london foursquare uses cookies to provide you with an optimal experience, to personalize ads that you may see, and to help advertisers measure the results of their ad campaigns. New victoria theatre, city of westminster, westminster. Victoria palace theatre, city of westminster 1238140. The victoria theatre, along with the victoria concert hall, was gazetted as a national monument in february 1992. It was converted into a theatre in 1981 and is now one of the largest. During this time the theatre will unfortunately be closed to the public and there will be no performances. The show is a sequel to the seventh harry potter book, and the first official harry potter story to be presented on stage. A history of the national theatre theatre time out london. The apollo victoria theatre is a west end theatre on wilton road in the westminster district of london, across from london victoria station.
The gillian lynne theatre formerly new london theatre is a west end theatre located on the corner of drury lane and parker street in covent garden, in the london borough of camden. Combining authoritative writing with superb illustration, the cambridge illustrated history of british theatre is a fascinating exploration of the development of the live performing arts in britain from the earliest times to the present day. Barton bakers history of the london stage london, 1904, allardyce nicolls a history of english drama 16601900 cambridge, 1966, e. In the years since, the new vics work has developed an increased national and international reach with productions transferring to london and manchester. Like its acclaimed companion volumes, elizabeths london, restoration london and dr johnsons london, this book is the product of the authors passionate interest in the realities of everyday life so often left out of history books. Mar 15, 2014 jacky bratton is emeritus professor of theatre and cultural history at royal holloway university of london. The victoria palace theatre is a west end theatre in victoria street, in the city of westminster, opposite victoria station. Located opposite waterloo station, it was less than a block away from the surrey theatre. Somehow the swish metropole cinema remained straight. Lost victorian theatre to emerge after 80 years londonist. On 1 may 2018, the theatre was officially renamed the gillian lynne theatre in honour of gillian lynne.
Please do not book new tickets to your alternative date prior to contacting us as. For readers who enjoy their history told with a sense of gusto, verve, and a keen eye for detail, liza picard brings victorian london to fruitful life with her trademark wit and passionate interest in the quirky realities of everyday life, liza picard vividly recalls all the splendors and horrors of victorian life. The victoria theatre company was the first professional company in britain to perform permanently in the round that is, with the audience on all sides of the acting area. Work taking place below the alexandra palace theatre circle. A complete guide to londons apollo victoria theatre. The theatre was closely associated with the paradise roof garden above it, and the two venues.
From established authors to the next big thing, this parade of new publishing keeps you uptotheminute on the freshest new reading. Opened as the new victoria theatre on 15th october 1930 with george arlis in old english, plus a stage show hoopla and reginald foort opened t. London theatre historical timeline london theatres. However, both survived the disaster, and the victoria was quickly rebuilt. Victoria palace theatre london nearby hotels, shops and. The cambridge illustrated history of british theatre. Lovely view of the river, and im in love with the variety of books on offer and having a place to sit down and start reading them with a drink or two. A gilded statue of ballerina anna pavlova is installed on the theatre s cupola which is subsequently lost when removed for safekeeping during world war ii. The apollo victoria originally opened as a cinema called the new victoria on 15 october 1930 showing. There is a multistorey car park attached to the theatre and a large shopping centre with plenty of eateries. London i the cities of london and westminster, 1973.
Curzon victoria london entertainment cinemas 58 victoria street, westminster, london sw1e 2 minutes from victoria palace theatre curzon victoria is the chains seventh london venue, providing a boutique cinema option in central london. Situated opposite victoria station, it was designed by frank matcham and opened in 1911 on the site of two music hall buildings from the second half of the 19th century which had both been demolished. The theatre was originally designed as a super cinema with stage facilities, and originally opened as the new victoria theatre on the 15th of october 1930 with. The stunning theatre has a considerable huge occupancy of 1550 and has been spread across three levels as stalls, dress circle and grand circle. Boasting state of the art facilities, excellent acoustics and clear sight lines it has hosted first class theatre from the likes of the royal shakespeare company, national theatre and the peter hall company. Books and journals atwell, d, cathedral of the movies. The hit musical wicked has been playing at the apollo victoria theatre since september 2006. Our online ticketing service is provided by, one of the leading providers of online ticketing to uk theatres. If you have booked directly with the theatre or show website for an affected. As such, please bear in mind that we may undertake bag checks, so recommend you leave extra time to avoid queues. For some reason, victoria was a very popular haunt for gays. A history of british cinemas and their audiences, 1980 pevsner, n, cherry, b, the buildings of england. The flood of 19 took its toll on the city and the theatre.
Originally called moys music hall, it was renamed the royal standard music hall in 1863. Access is from either level 1 top floor of the peacocks centre, or on mercia walk near to victoria way alison rawlinson march, 2014 excellent show, and really liked the live pianist in the bar such a nice change to have a human being playing not recorded music. Apollo victoria theatre in london, gb cinema treasures. Lovely view of the river, and im in love with the variety of books on offer and having. The winter garden theatre formerly occupied the site until 1965. The auditorium has two levels stalls and dress circle. New victoria theatre, woking box office buy tickets. Opened in 1930 as a cinema and variety theatre, the apollo victoria became a venue for musical theatre, beginning with the sound of music in 1981. New victoria theatre is a grade ii listed building in city of westminster, westminster, england.
Anyone who loves this glorious, wellappointed london delight is bound to find much to please them in this homage to its history. Sixty years since harold pinter shifted the boundaries of theatre with his first major play, the birthday party, a topnotch team of creatives revive the menacing comedy. A musical play adapted and directed by david wood, based on the book by judith kerr direct from a smashhit west end season. The deep frontage gave matcham scope for larger foyer spaces than were usual, and the victoria palace resembles at least two other contemporary theatres, matchams london palladium 1910 and massey and youngs wimbledon theatre, 1910, in having a planned suite of public rooms rather than a single firstfloor bar.
The theatre was originally designed as a super cinema with stage facilities, and originally opened as the new victoria theatre on the 15th of october 1930 with the film old english, along with an accompanying stage show called hoopla. We take a look back through the programmes and cast lists of the national theatre s history. The front row seats of the theatre always offer good viewing. No, this is the apollo victoria theatre, located in the victoria area of central london. Londons west end theatres including studio and off west end theatres other london theatres londons lost theatres west end theatreland maps plays of the year 1912 plays of the year 19 plays of the year 1914 one saturday night in the west end 1978 london theatre dimensions 1930 london theatre dimensions 1960 west end seating plans 1930 west end seating plans 1907. The victoria palace theatre belongs to the very end of the boom period, and was london s last great variety house. Apollo victoria theatre london 2020 all you need to.
View all hotels near apollo victoria theatre on tripadvisor. This is a very wide auditorium, and those at the extreme sides may suffer with sightlines, but the price of. The story of a great theatre from kean to olivier to. Jacky bratton is emeritus professor of theatre and cultural history at royal holloway university of london. I always enjoy working at the new victoria theatre in woking because its just out of london and easily accessible by train. Up until the end of the 16th century it was a relatively prosperous district diniejko. The history of the theatre is also the history of theatres, a fact that this beautifully illustrated, entertaining, and informative book celebrates.
See why it was listed, view it on a map, see visitor comments and photos and share your own comments and photos of this building. Stephen schwartzs hit broadway musical wicked took london by storm, opening at the apollo victoria theatre in 2006 where it currently continues to play. Victoria theatre is closed with immediate effect until monday 15th june 2020. New victoria theatre woking 2020 all you need to know. The theatre began life as a small concert room above the stables of the royal standard hotel, a small hotel. The apollo victoria theatre is located on wilton road sw1v 1lg in london. The theatres auditorium, with an original capacity of 2,860, today 2,328, was designed in the art deco style and lavishly decorated in an underwater theme. The victorian era of the united kingdom was the period of queen victorias reign from 20 june 1837 until her death on 22 january 1901. The collection is divided chronologically in 3 phases as follows. A victorian theatre in north london which was hidden for 80 years is being restored to its former glory. Apollo victoria theatre london 2020 all you need to know.
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