421 posts
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 4, 2016 19:46:37 GMT
I'm not only a fan of theatre, but the London Theatres themselves. I thought I'd create this topic so we can share our experiences and share information about the theatres. I don't mean best view seats or how to get to them, but the architecture and stories of the buildings themselves which hold so much history. I'd like to begin with an oddity. I was recently at The Piccadilly Theatre and I was looking for a historic magicians prop which used to reside at the theatre, but I couldn't find it and the staff didn't know either. ..so I'm appealing to you theatre fans, have you ever seen this at the venue? Sorry for the poor quality image as I'm on a tablet. Also I'd really like to know where it ended up. ![]()  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2016 15:14:35 GMT
I have always loved the Palace Theatre. It looks so grand. It used to have a pair of neon light curtains across the front with the show's name inside. The interior is beautiful and looks like a fairy-tale castle with its pillars and staircases from the main lobby area. I can remember it before its makeover when it was completely covered in purple paint- everywhere!
I only recently set foot inside the Criterion for the first time last month. The tiles are very striking, and it's quite special with all three levels of the auditorium being completely under ground!
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5,056 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 5, 2016 23:29:36 GMT
That was first built as a opulent opera house, it looks like it won't be doing opera for a very long time, neither musicals.
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7,179 posts
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Post by Jon on Mar 5, 2016 23:51:05 GMT
The Prince Edward and Prince of Wales are my favourite West End theatres both in design and comfort. Cameron Mackintosh always refurbishes the Prince Edward between shows, all the seats in the PE were replaced before Miss Saigon was due to open, I look forward to seeing what he does with the Victoria Palace
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Post by Nelly on Mar 7, 2016 10:38:34 GMT
If/When you're next at the Dominion, look up at the top back, facing away from the stage when standing at the front of the stalls or dress circle and you'll see the front of what used to be the grand circle at the theatre. Now turned into offices and corporate spaces.
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423 posts
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Post by schuttep on Mar 7, 2016 12:03:07 GMT
Many West End theatres are lovely for many reasons but, for me, the most spectacular interior is the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. All that gold!
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848 posts
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Post by duncan on Mar 7, 2016 13:21:55 GMT
Shame they don't sell some of it and buy some decent seats for the gods  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 19:55:54 GMT
I did like the Noel Coward when I saw Henderson... very intimate, you can sit at the back of the stalls and still feel close to the show! I love the Savoy alot, I just love the whole design of the theatre alot!  |
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19,778 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 8, 2016 20:01:16 GMT
I did like the Noel Coward when I saw Henderson... very intimate, you can sit at the back of the stalls and still feel close to the show! I love the Savoy alot, I just love the whole design of the theatre alot! Only been once, for Gypsy. Gosh the stalls are long way down aren't they? Down and down... Past cloakrooms... Down...past bars, then down again.... Souvenirs... Down.....It was like Journey To The Centre Of The Earth |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 20:07:51 GMT
Well I actually chatted to someone funnily enough... it is actually because, well several reasons: it was around at some point when a war happened so they could escape because it is so underground.
Also, it is low for the sake of the river.
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5,056 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 8, 2016 21:08:17 GMT
I did like the Noel Coward when I saw Henderson... very intimate, you can sit at the back of the stalls and still feel close to the show! I love the Savoy alot, I just love the whole design of the theatre alot! Only been once, for Gypsy. Gosh the stalls are long way down aren't they? Down and down... Past cloakrooms... Down...past bars, then down again.... Souvenirs... Down.....It was like Journey To The Centre Of The Earth Ha, did you get as far down for the lake with the chandeliers? |
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19,778 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 8, 2016 21:17:16 GMT
I bet if the show is rubbish that long steep haul back up to the earths crust is a real bummer.
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7,179 posts
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Post by Jon on Mar 8, 2016 22:59:45 GMT
The original entrance to the Savoy is sealed up IIRC. The one next to the hotel is actually the dress circle and upper circle entrance.
I wish the Savoy had bigger signage but I think they're restricted because of the hotel
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Post by d'James on Mar 8, 2016 23:31:39 GMT
The original entrance to the Savoy is sealed up IIRC. The one next to the hotel is actually the dress circle and upper circle entrance. I wish the Savoy had bigger signage but I think they're restricted because of the hotel Oh that's interesting. Where was the 'main' entrance located? |
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716 posts
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Post by theatre-turtle on Mar 8, 2016 23:56:56 GMT
If/When you're next at the Dominion, look up at the top back, facing away from the stage when standing at the front of the stalls or dress circle and you'll see the front of what used to be the grand circle at the theatre. Now turned into offices and corporate spaces. Very interesting factoid! Do you happen to know roughly what the capacity was when the grand circle was in use? |
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7,179 posts
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Post by Jon on Mar 9, 2016 1:00:43 GMT
The original entrance to the Savoy is sealed up IIRC. The one next to the hotel is actually the dress circle and upper circle entrance. I wish the Savoy had bigger signage but I think they're restricted because of the hotel Oh that's interesting. Where was the 'main' entrance located? Between Carting Lane and Savoy Way. |
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Post by d'James on Mar 9, 2016 1:11:43 GMT
Oh that's interesting. Where was the 'main' entrance located? Between Carting Lane and Savoy Way. Interesting, thanks. What a shame it's closed off. The Savoy has got to be one of the most disappointing entrances to any theatre. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2016 7:10:57 GMT
Oh that's interesting. Where was the 'main' entrance located? Between Carting Lane and Savoy Way. Fascinating... Just Googled and found a picture and photograph on Arthur Lloyd's website. (That's a great website for theatre building buffs!) |
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816 posts
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Post by stefy69 on Mar 9, 2016 7:51:04 GMT
Between Carting Lane and Savoy Way. Fascinating... Just Googled and found a picture and photograph on Arthur Lloyd's website. (That's a great website for theatre building buffs!) Yes I use that website a lot fascinating stuff on there well worth a visit. |
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Post by Nelly on Mar 9, 2016 9:48:51 GMT
If/When you're next at the Dominion, look up at the top back, facing away from the stage when standing at the front of the stalls or dress circle and you'll see the front of what used to be the grand circle at the theatre. Now turned into offices and corporate spaces. Very interesting factoid! Do you happen to know roughly what the capacity was when the grand circle was in use? 2,835! There's lots of hidden stairwells all over the theatre (mainly backstage) that aren't in use anymore and when going up to the dress circle, the stairs for the grand circle are still there obviously. |
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421 posts
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 21, 2016 12:00:08 GMT
There are quite a few London Theatres where the balconies are closed off. Off the top of my head I can think of:
-The Garrick Theatre
-The Dominion
-The Duke of York's
Can anyone think of others?
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679 posts
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Post by westendcub on Mar 21, 2016 13:27:28 GMT
It was very old seeing at a pit at the Phoenix theatre - Has never been one since I have been going to see the shows there!
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1,351 posts
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Post by CG on the loose on Mar 21, 2016 13:30:08 GMT
Between Carting Lane and Savoy Way. Fascinating... Just Googled and found a picture and photograph on Arthur Lloyd's website. (That's a great website for theatre building buffs!) I've often come out of those doors after a show, but if you asked me how to get to them I'd have no idea! Think I originally came across them after visiting the secret loo... ;-) |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2016 14:19:49 GMT
Really love what they've done with the Garrick since Brannagh took over. It's stunning!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2016 19:49:25 GMT
If/When you're next at the Dominion, look up at the top back, facing away from the stage when standing at the front of the stalls or dress circle and you'll see the front of what used to be the grand circle at the theatre. Now turned into offices and corporate spaces. It looks as if they've taken it down now, but recently you could use the Google Street View to see inside most areas of the Dominion, including the offices. (I think it had posters of Evita up, so taken in 2014 perhaps). My favourite of the five West End theatres I've been to probably is Drury Lane. Such wonderful history and beautiful architecture, although I think I prefer the red carpet and walls in the foyer before the Lord refurbished it just before Charlie opened! I wish I got to see more of the Prince of Wales when I saw The Book of Mormon last year though, it seemed to be very modern and upmarket building in comparison to the others I've been too. |
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