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Palace Theatre, London

Coordinates:51°30′47″N00°07′47″W/ 51.51306°N 0.12972°W/51.51306; -0.12972
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Palace Theatre
Royal English Opera House
Palace Theatre of Varieties
The Palace Theatre
Palace Theatre is located in Central London
Palace Theatre
Palace Theatre
Location within Central London
AddressShaftesbury Avenue
London,W1
United Kingdom
Coordinates51°30′47″N00°07′47″W/ 51.51306°N 0.12972°W/51.51306; -0.12972
Public transitLondon UndergroundLeicester Square
OwnerNimax Theatres
DesignationGrade II*
TypeWest End theatre
Capacity1,400 (4 levels)
ProductionHarry Potter and the Cursed Child
Construction
OpenedJanuary 1891;133 years ago(1891-01)
Rebuilt1892 (conversion byWalter Emden)
ArchitectThomas Edward Collcutt
Website
Palace Theatre official website

ThePalace Theatreis aWest End theatrein theCity of Westminsterin London. Its red-brickfacade dominates the west side ofCambridge Circusbehind a small plaza near the intersection ofShaftesbury AvenueandCharing Cross Road.The Palace Theatre seats 1,400.

Richard D'Oyly Carte,producer of theGilbert and Sullivanoperas, commissioned the theatre in the late 1880s. It was designed byThomas Edward Collcuttand intended to be a home of Englishgrand opera.The theatre opened as theRoyal English Opera Housein January 1891 with a lavish production ofArthur Sullivan's operaIvanhoe.Although this ran for 160 performances, followed briefly byAndré Messager'sLa Basoche,Carte had no other works ready to fill the theatre. He leased it toSarah Bernhardtfor a season and sold the opera house within a year at a loss. It was then converted into a grandmusic halland renamed thePalace Theatre of Varieties,managed successfully first by SirAugustus Harrisand then byCharles Morton.In 1897, the theatre began to screen films as part of its programme of entertainment. In 1904,Alfred Buttbecame manager and continued to combine variety entertainment, including dancing girls, with films.Herman Finckwas musical director at the theatre from 1900 until 1920.

In 1925, themusical comedyNo, No, Nanetteopened at the Palace Theatre, followed by other musicals, for which the theatre became known. TheMarx Brothersappeared at the theatre in 1931, performing selections from theirBroadwayshows.The Sound of Musicran for 2,385 performances at the theatre, opening in 1961.Jesus Christ Superstarran from 1972 to 1980, andLes Misérablesplayed at the theatre for nineteen years, beginning in 1985. In 1983,Andrew Lloyd Webberpurchased the theatre and by 1991 had refurbished it.Monty Python'sSpamalotplayed there from 2006 until January 2009, andPriscilla Queen of the Desertopened in March 2009 and closed in December 2011. Between February 2012 and June 2013, the Palace hosted a production ofSingin' in the Rain.

From June 2016, the playHarry Potter and the Cursed Childran at the theatre until performances were suspended in March 2020 owing to theCOVID-19 pandemic.The play returned to the stage on 14 October 2021, after a 19-month break.

History[edit]

Early years[edit]

Ivanhoeprogramme cover from the theatre's first night

Commissioned by impresarioRichard D'Oyly Cartein the late 1880s, the theatre was designed byThomas Edward Collcutt.Carte intended it to be the home of Englishgrand opera,much as hisSavoy Theatrehad been built as a home for Englishlight opera,beginning with theGilbert and Sullivanseries. The foundation stone, laid by his wifeHelenin 1888, can still be seen on the façade of the theatre, almost at ground level to the right of the entrance. The theatre's design was considered to be novel. The upper levels are supported by heavy steelcantileversbuilt into the back walls, removing the need for supporting pillars that impede the view of the stage. The tiers, corridors, staircases, landings are all constructed of concrete to reduce the risk and damage that might be done by fire.[1]

The theatre opened as theRoyal English Opera Housein January 1891 withArthur Sullivan'sIvanhoe.No expense was spared to make the production a success, including a double cast and "every imaginable effect of scenic splendour".[2]It ran for 160 performances, but whenIvanhoefinally closed in July, Carte had no new work to replace it, and the opera house had to close. One opera is not enough to sustain an opera house venture. It was, as the criticHerman Kleinobserved, "the strangest comingling of success and failure ever chronicled in the history of British lyric enterprise!"[3]Sir Henry Wood,who had been répétiteur for the production, recalled in his autobiography that "[if] Carte had had a repertory of six operas instead of only one, I believe he would have established English opera in London for all time. Towards the end of the run ofIvanhoeI was already preparing theFlying DutchmanwithEugène Oudinin the name part. He would have been superb. However, plans were altered and the Dutchman was shelved. "[4]

The theatre re-opened in November 1891, withAndré Messager'sLa Basoche(withDavid Bisphamin his first London stage performance) at first alternating in repertory withIvanhoe,and thenLa Basochealone, closing in January 1892. Carte had no other works ready, and so he leased the theatre toSarah Bernhardtfor a season, and after months of negotiation he sold the opera house at a loss to the new Palace Theatre Company, headed bySir Augustus Harris.[5]The architectWalter Emdenconverted the opera house into a grand and ornatemusic hall,which was renamed thePalace Theatre of Varieties.[6]Harris's opening programme included a lavish and highly praised ballet, with music byGaston Serpette;[5][7]he engaged some of the bestvarietyturns then available,[7]before handing over the day-to-day running of the theatre toCharles Morton,known as the "Father of the Music Halls", whose biographers record:

Eschewing the heavier kind of variety and theatrical fare... the new manager found means to present programmes of extraordinary diversity. In addition to engaging many of the leading variety stars... he also secured many a distinguished singer who had hitherto confined his, or her, services to the concert platform. In due course, Morton added to the Palace programme a series of very beautiful and very strikingtableaux vivants,which became the talk of London.[7]

Denied permission by theLondon County Councilto construct a promenade, which was a popular feature of adult entertainment at the Empire and Alhambra theatres,[n 1]the Palace countered with its tableaux vivants, which featured apparently nude women (though patrons were reassured that they were actually wearing flesh toned body stockings).[9]In March 1897, the theatre began to screen films from theAmerican Biograph Companyas part of its programme of entertainment. These films pioneered the 70 mm format which helped give an exceptionally large and clear image filling theproscenium arch.The performances included earlynewsreelsfrom around the world, many of them made by film pioneerWilliam Kennedy Laurie Dickson,including film of theBoer War(1900). The Palace continued to show films as part of its variety and musical programmes.[10]

20th century[edit]

In 1904, Morton was succeeded as manager by his deputy,Alfred Butt.Butt introduced many innovations, including dancers such asMaud Allan,who created something of a sensation with herVision of Salome,[11]andAnna Pavlova,and the elegant pianist-singer Margaret Cooper.[12]Oliver G Pikepremièred his first film,In Birdland,at the theatre in August 1907. This was the first British wildlife film to be screened to a paying audience.[13]On 26 February 1909, the general public first sawKinemacolorin a programme of 21 short films shown at the theatre.[14]

The name of the theatre was finally changed toThe Palace Theatrein 1911.Herman Finckwas musical director from 1900 until 1920,[15]and made many recordings with the theatre's orchestra. The theatre was famous not only for its orchestra, but also for the beautiful Palace Girls, for whom Finck composed many dances. In 1911, the Palace Girls performed a song and dance number, which was originally calledTonightbut became very popular as a romantic instrumental pieceIn The Shadows.In 1912, the theatre hosted the firstRoyal Variety Performancein Britain, commanded by KingGeorge V,and produced by Butt.[16]During theFirst World War,the theatre presentedrevues,andMaurice Chevalierbecame known to British audiences. After the war, the theatre was used mostly for films for a few years.[17]

On 11 March 1925, themusical comedyNo, No, Nanetteopened at the Palace Theatre starringBinnie HaleandGeorge Grossmith Jr.The run of 665 performances made it the third longest-runningWest Endmusical of the 1920s.Princess Charmingran for 362 performances beginning in 1926. The Palace Theatre was also the venue forRodgers and Hart'sThe Girl Friend(1927) andFred Astaire's final stage musicalGay Divorce(1933). TheMarx Brothersappeared at the theatre in 1931, performing selections from theirBroadwayshows.[18]The theatre was twice threatened with demolition in the early 1930s; offers of £400,000 and £450,000 were made for the site: one offer was from an American chain which proposed to build a department store on the site, but the directors, led byC. B. Cochranrefused to sell.[19]

In 1939–1940,Cicely CourtneidgeandJack Hulbertappeared at the Palace inUnder Your Hat,a comedy spy story co-written by Hulbert, with music and lyrics byVivian Ellis,which ran for 512 performances.[20][21]Latermusical theatreworks that played with success at the theatre includedSong of Norway(1946, 525 performances),[21]King's Rhapsody(1949, 841 performances),[22]Where's Charley?(1958, 380 performances),[23]andFlower Drum Song(1960)[24]among others.[25]The Entertainer,starringLaurence Olivier,transferred to the theatre from theRoyal Court Theatrein 1957.[25]In the 1960s,The Sound of Musicran for 2,386 performances, from 1961,[26]andCabaretfollowed in 1968 (336 performances).[27]TheDanny La RuerevueDanny at the Palace(1970) ran for 811 performances.[27]The theatre wasGrade II*listedbyEnglish Heritagein June 1960.[28]

Les Misérablesplayed at the Palace Theatre from 1985 to 2004

Two exceptional runs took place at the Palace during the last decades of the 20th century:Jesus Christ Superstar(3,358 performances from 1972 to 1980) andLes Misérables,which played at the theatre for nineteen years after moving from theBarbican Centreon 4 December 1985. The production moved to theQueen's Theatrein April 2004 to continue its record-setting run. In between,Song and Danceplayed from 1982 to 1984. In 1983,Andrew Lloyd Webberpurchased the theatre for £1.3 million and began a series of renovations to the auditorium. He restored the theatre's facade, later commenting: "I removed the huge neon sign that defaced the glorious terracotta exterior, much to the chagrin of West End producers who told me I had removed the greatest theatre advertising sight in London."[29]

21st century[edit]

Singin' in the Rainat the Palace Theatre, London

AfterLes Misérablesleft the theatre in 2004, Lloyd Webber refurbished and restored the auditorium and front of the house, removing the paint that covered the onyx and Italian marble.[29]Lloyd Webber premiered his musicalThe Woman in Whiteat the Palace later in 2004, which ran for 19 months.Monty Python'sSpamalotopened in 2006 and ran until 2009. It was replaced byPriscilla Queen of the Desert,which played through 2011, andSingin' in the Rainplayed from 2012 to 2013.[30]In 2012, it was one of the 40 theatres featured in the DVD documentary seriesGreat West End Theatres,presented byDonald Sinden.[31]In April 2012, Lloyd Webber'sReally Useful Groupsold the building toNimax Theatres(Nica Burnsand Max Weitzenhoffer). Nimax purchased theApollo,Duchess,GarrickandLyricTheatres from Really Useful in 2005.[29]The next show wasThe Commitmentsfrom 2013 to 2015.[32]

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,a two-part play written byJack Thornebased on an original story by Thorne,J. K. RowlingandJohn Tiffany,[33]began previews at the theatre on 7 June 2016,[34]Both parts opened officially on 30 July.[35]The production was suspended in March 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[36]14 October 2021 marked the reopening night for the play, after a 19-month break.[37]

In popular culture[edit]

In the 1977Doctor WhoserialThe Talons of Weng-Chiang,the villain Li H'sen Chang masquerades as magician and ventriloquist performing at the Palace Theatre when the Doctor bringsLeelathere to discover the customs of herVictorianancestors.[38]In the 2004 novelFull Dark House,byChristopher Fowler,a series of gruesome murders take place in the Palace during theLondon Blitzamid a production ofOrpheus in the Underworld.[39]

Nearby tube stations[edit]

Notes, references and sources[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^TheOxford English Dictionarydefines such a promenade as "An area without seats at a theatre or concert venue; specifically a gallery at a music hall, commonly thought to be frequented by prostitutes and their clients".[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^Arthurlloyd.co.uk feature on the theatreArchived13 October 2006 at theWayback Machine,p. 5. Retrieved 18 October 2011
  2. ^Pearson, p. 88
  3. ^Hermann Klein's 1903 description ofIvanhoeArchived6 October 2014 at theWayback Machine,Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, 3 October 2003. Retrieved 12 April 2012
  4. ^Wood, p. 43
  5. ^ab"Palace Theatre",The Times,12 December 1892, p. 7
  6. ^"Palace Theatre of Varieties",The Morning Post,10 December 1892, p. 3
  7. ^abcMorton and Newton, p. 181
  8. ^"promenade, n.",OED Online,Oxford University Press, March 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020)
  9. ^Weightman, pp. 94–95
  10. ^"Features: Victorian 'Cinemas'".British Film Institute.1996.Retrieved11 April2012.
  11. ^Mander and Mitchenson, p. 124
  12. ^Palace Theatre,ArthurLloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011
  13. ^"In Birdland (1907)".WildFilmHistory.Retrieved25 September2010.
  14. ^McKernan, Luke (2018).Charles Urban: Pioneering the Non-Fiction Film in Britain and America, 1897-1925.University of Exeter Press.ISBN978-0859892964.
  15. ^Palace Theatre FeatureArchived13 October 2006 at theWayback Machine
  16. ^"Page about the Royal Command Performance".Archived fromthe originalon 7 September 2008.Retrieved8 January2008.
  17. ^Ellacott, Vivyan."Palace Theatre, Cambridge Circus",London Theatres Encyclopaedia, Over the Footlights: A History. Retrieved 18 June 2014
  18. ^Bader, p. 447
  19. ^"An Offer of Purchase",The Times,27 May 1930, p. 12
  20. ^Pepys-Whiteley, D."Courtneidge, Dame (Esmerelda) Cicely (1893–1980)",Oxford Dictionary of National Biography,Oxford University Press, 2004; online edition, January 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011(subscription required)
  21. ^abHerbert, p. 1282
  22. ^Herbert, p. 1281
  23. ^Gaye, p. 1540
  24. ^Gaye, p. 1531
  25. ^abMander and Mitchenson, p. 125
  26. ^Herbert, p. 1280
  27. ^abHerbert, p. 1313
  28. ^"Details for IoE Listing 208945".historicengland.org.uk.Retrieved11 April2012.
  29. ^abcAndrew Gans (11 April 2012)."Andrew Lloyd Webber Sells London's Palace Theatre".Playbill.Playbill.com. Archived fromthe originalon 14 April 2012.Retrieved11 April2012.
  30. ^"Singing in the Rain Extends Booking through February 2013".Palace Theatre.Retrieved12 July2012.
  31. ^Fisher, Philip."Great West End Theatres",British Theatre Guide,19 February 2012
  32. ^"The Commitmentsto close in November ",Whatsonstage.com, 21 May 2015
  33. ^"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child".Harry Potter The Play.harrypottertheplaylondon.com. 2016.Retrieved26 July2016.
  34. ^"'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' Begins Previews in London, as Magic Continues ".The New York Times.7 June 2016.Retrieved29 June2016.
  35. ^"How to get tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child".whatsonstage.com. 23 October 2015.Retrieved23 October2015.
  36. ^Lefkowitz, Andy."All Theaters in London's West End to Close Due to COVID-19",Broadway.com, 16 March 2020
  37. ^"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child".Twitter.14 October 2021.Retrieved16 October2021.
  38. ^Mento, Charles."The Talons of Weng-Chiang".Doctor Who Reference Guide.Retrieved30 August2008.
  39. ^Girvan, Ray."Full Dark House",JSBookReader, 4 May 2012

Sources[edit]

External links[edit]

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