Thomas Verity

Entrance to theCriterion TheatreandRestaurant(1874),Piccadilly Circus

The Pavilion, Lord's Cricket Ground

Thomas Verity(1837–1891) was an Englishtheatrearchitectduring the theatre-building boom of 1885–1915.

Verity began his career articled in the architecture department of theWar Office,assisting in the erection of theSouth Kensington Museum.He further assisted in the building of theRoyal Albert Hallbetween 1867 and 1870.

In 1870, he won an open competition to build theCriterion TheatreandCriterion Restaurantfor the caterers Spiers and Pond, founding his own architectural practice. Other London theatres for which he was engaged included theRoyalty Theatre,theNovelty Theatre,theFolly Theatre,theScala Theatre,and theComedy Theatre.In 1878, he was appointed consulting architect to theLord Chamberlain's office. This was initially in partnership with G. H. Hunt, but later with his son,Frank Verity,who received his training in his father's firm.

Both Veritys bought an interest in ornateSecond Empire–style architecture to their early buildings, developing this into grandBeaux Artsin their later works.Many of the surviving buildings have achieved recognition in the late 20th century, becominglistedfor their architectural significance.

ThePavilionwith its famousLong RoomatLord's Cricket Groundwas built in 1889–1890 to Verity's designs. This historic landmark, a Grade II*-listed building, underwent an £8 million refurbishment programme in 2004–05.

Frank Verity continued the practice on his father's death, and Sam Beverley, his son-in-law, joined the practice in the 1920s, which remains active today. The company designed many cinemas, attaining aRoyal Institute of British Architectsbronze medal for theShepherd's BushPavilion cinema in 1930.

Further reading

• Theatre London: An Architectural Guide,Edwin Heathcote,ISBN1-84166-047-7
• Guide to British Theatres 1750–1950,Earl, John and Michael Sell pp. 283–284 (Theatres Trust, 2000)ISBN0-7136-5688-3

External links

• Verity & Beverley, Architects & Designers