Aldwych Theatre [London]
type: Item
label: Aldwych Theatre
description: Theatre building in London, United Kingdom
description: theater in City of Westminster, Verenigd Koninkrijk @nl
EUTA building identifier: 1188
Importance: Not rated
Type of information: Performance venue
Field: architecture
Country: United Kingdom
City: London
GPS: Point(-0.1179 51.5133)
Wikidata source: Q1783531
opening date: 1905-12-23T00:00:00Z
Capacity: 1200
Web: www.aldwychtheatre.com
architectural style: Edwardian architecture
architect: W. G. R. Sprague
Theatres Trust Database ID: 1074
city section: Westminster
Wikidata instance: Q24354
Arthur Lloyd.co.uk page: AldwychTheatre.htm
Les Archives du Spectacle ID: /o/8706-Aldwych-Theatre
Carthalia ID: 1079
theatricalia id: c/aldwych-theatre-london
Preservation state: extant building
Preservation state: Used as theatre today
Note: Built 1905 by W. G. R. Sprague for Seymour Hicks and Charles Frohmann, as one of a pair of a similar, though not identical theatres to each side of the not yet built Waldorf Hotel (the other being the Waldorf Theatre, 1909 renamed Strand Theatre, now the Novello Theatre). Opened Dec 1905 with Seymour Hicks's musical comedy Bluebell in Fairyland. From 1925-1933 used for performances of Ben Traver's farces, also known as The Aldwych Farces. From the mid-1930s until ca. 1960 owned by the Abrahams family. Used for drama performances with world famous actors (e. g. Vivian Leigh in Tennesee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire). 1960 interior alterations. From 15 Dec 1960 to 1981, home to the Royal Shakespeare companies. Also home of Peter Daubeny's World Theatre Season. 1963 interior redecoration and alterations. 1971 seating alterations. Restored after the Royal Shakespeare Company moved to the newly-built Barbican centre in 1981. Currently operated by Michael Codron Plays Ltd. Used for drama performances that often involve with world famous actors, and for musical performances. Originally 1092 seats, today 1176 seats.