Criterion Theatre [London]
type: Item
label: Criterion Theatre
description: Theatre building in London, United Kingdom
description: theater in City of Westminster @nl
EUTA building identifier: 776
Importance: Not rated
Type of information: Performance venue
Field: architecture
Country: United Kingdom
City: London
GPS: Point(-0.1341 51.5098)
Wikidata source: Q3002925
opening date: 1874-01-01T00:00:00Z
theatrEurope table: HST_0128
context: No heritage stage machinery Recommended for their architectural beauty are the “Criterion Theatre” (1874, London’s first underground theatre) …
Capacity: 593
Address: 2 Jermyn Street, Piccadilly Circus, London, Westminster, SW1Y 4XA, England
Web: home
architect: Thomas Verity
Theatres Trust Database ID: 424
city section: Westminster
Wikidata instance: Q43229
Arthur Lloyd.co.uk page: CriterionTheatre.htm
Carthalia ID: 1089
Modern Opera Houses index: Plan area, III. p. 39 ; Plan 1st tier, III. p. 39 ; Plan 2nd tier, III. p. 39; Skeleton plan of audi­torium, III. PI. opp. p. 62 ; View of auditorium, III. p. 61 ; Reference, III. p. 69.
theatricalia id: r/criterion-theatre-london
Preservation state: extant building
Preservation state: Used as theatre today
Note: Built 1874 by Thomas Verity on the former site of the old St James's Market and the Mitre Tavern. Originally planned as a concert hall within a restaurant complex, it was soon decided to build a full-fledge theatre. First theatre in London to be built completely below ground level. Opened 21 Mar 1874. 1878 extension, 1884 rebuilding by Thomas Verity. 1903 renovations. During World War II used for radio broadcasts by the BBC. 1985 severely damaged by a flood. 1992 alterations of backstage area and bars by RHWL. 600 seats.