Playhouse Theatre [London]
Playhouse Theatre
Theatre building in London, United Kingdom, opened in 1882
theater in City of Westminster, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Formerly the Avenue Theatre, designed by architects Fowler and Hill, capacity of 1.200. In 1905 after part of Charing Cross Station colapsed onto the building, the interior was completely reconstructed. It still retains its original substage machinery (1882 or 1907?)
The Playhouse Theatre is interesting in that it still retains its original substage machinery. The current seating capacity is 786, and the Theatre is today run by the Ambassadors Group.
Built 1882 as Royal Avenue Theatre by F. H. Fowler and Hill. 1890 redecoration by F. H. Fowler and Hill. 1905 beginning of auditorium rebuilding. During construction works in 1907, a wall of Charing Cross Railway Station collapsed on the building, killing six workmen. Subsequently rebuilt by Detmar Blow and Fernand Billerrey. Interior decoration by Mortimer Menpes. 1933 renamed Playhouse. 1951-1976 used as a radio studio by the BBC. 1987 reconverted into a theatre and redecoration by Graham Berry (largely to the 1907 designs). The theatre still has a complete set of substage machinery fom the time of its building. 786 seats.