gradeiilistedbuilding | Theatre Breaks

I posted to flickr.com

Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych - London - Midnight Tango

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6447490735/in/pool-473288@N25

ell brown has added a photo to the pool:

Near the Strand in London. Was here to see Crazy For You at the Novello Theatre.

On Drury Lane in London (Westminster).

This is the Aldwych Theatre on Aldwych in London (Westminster).

It is Grade II listed.

The Aldwych Theatre, Westminster

TQ 3081 SE CITY OF WESTMINSTER ALDWYCH, WC2 60/20 (North side)

20.7.71 The Aldwych Theatre

G.V. II

Theatre. 1905 by W.G.R. Sprague. Portland stone faced, concealed roof. Lively Free classicism of vaguely Beaux Arts derivation, part of the Aldwych-Kingsway development and designed as a reverse pair to the Strand Theatre q.v. flanking the Waldorf hotel q.v. in a symmetrical composition. 4 storeys and attic storey. Identical 3-window wide elevations to Aldwych and Drury Lane, linked by inset, bowed, 2-window wide corner entrance pavilion. Ground and 1st floors treated as rusticated podium with entrance to corner under canopy returned to both fronts. Arcaded 1st floor windows. Above 1st floor cornices rises a giant engaged Ionic order embracing the 2nd and 3rd floors with the 2nd floor windows treated as steep pedimented Venetian windows. Tall attic storey above main entablature fronted to Aldwych and Drury Lane by applied pediments, attic cornice and blocking course surmounted by ball finials. Generous use of high and low-relief statuary groups, swags, pendants and reverse scrolls. Each pedimented attic carries statuary group on die. Drury Lane facade continued as lower red brick wing with stone dressings. Interior has semi-elliptical vestibule; C.17 style, stuccoed, 2-storeyed foyer with gallery and top 1st staircase rising in one flight and returning in 2. Elegant auditorium in Beaux Arts Dixhuitieme with 2 cantilevered balconies and ceiling with coffered dome; stucco work expresses classical superimposition of 3 orders with finely executed pendants, trophies, be-ribboned wreaths etc.; tiers of boxes flanking proscenium etc..

The Theatres of London; Mander and Mitchenson.

This later zoom in came out better than the previous one.

The Aldwych is currently the home of Midnight Tango.
December 3 2011, 11:07am | Comments »
I posted to flickr.com

Duchess Theatre - Catherine Street, London - The Pitmen Painters - black plaque

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6447476425/in/pool-473288@N25

ell brown has added a photo to the pool:

Near the Strand in London. Was here to see Crazy For You at the Novello Theatre.

This is the Duchess Theatre on Catherine Street. Currently home of The Pitmen Painters.

Grade II listed.

Duchess Theatre, Westminster

1900/0/10311 CATHERINE STREET 07-JUL-05 Duchess Theatre

II

Theatre. 1928-9 to the designs of Ewen Barr for Arthur Gibbons. Interios by Marc Henri and Laverdet. Neo-Tudor style. Steel framed building clad in horizontal stone panels to street frontage; roof not seen. A low parapet runs across the entire faÎade. Three central canted bays supported on console brackets, with cast panels decorated with the Tudor Rose, portcullis, Fleur de Lys, Prince of Wales feathers and carved initials for DT set between Crittall casement windows. They are linked by a large plinth that serves as a band for carrying signage. Long canopy across the entire faÎade is raised in centre over tympanum carrying the theatre's name under crown and sunburst motif by Arnold Auerbach, and three pairs of double timber doors. Pairs of windows in bays to either side over emergency circle exits.

Interior. Main doors lead to tiny entrance hall, which retains cornice details and some timber lining; ceiling laylight obscured. Stairs to left lead down to the stalls and up to private boxes; those to right lead through small crush bar to circle. Slightly octagonal crush bar in former foyer also with laylight (disused), cornices, and with moulded plasterwork to walls. Octagonal motif repeated in wall mirror. Stalls corridors lined in stippled plasterwork, foyer area with fluted cornice and laylights complete with grid of metal kames. Tall, narrow, double-height auditorium with single balcony. Ceiling with saucer dome and dentil frieze; private boxes at the rear (an unusual feature), those to left accessed only from the separate stair. Side walls with lattice window motif either side of tripartite recess set behind fluted baseless piers in antis over side exits. The recesses originally had low reliefs by Arnold Auerbach. Balustrade and seat ends survive from 1929. The stalls simpler, but with lattice-patterned laylights under the balcony. The anteproscenium has bronze relief decorative panels to either side of stage, now normally concealed, by Maurice Lambert, added at the behest of Mary Wyndham Lewis, wife of J B Priestley. The narrow stage reflects the limited space and the specialism in domestic drama for which it was devised.

The Duchess Theatre compares well with other London theatres of the years around 1930 already listed grade II, and is of a style not found or which does not survive outside the capital. It is relatively little altered, with most of its original decoration inside and out surviving, and testifying to the expertise of Henri and Laverdet, specialists in theatre decoration. The panels by Maurice Lambert are of particularly good quality, but it is as an ensemble that the Duchess succeeds, rather like the Cambridge (LB Camden) and Whitehall (City of Westminster), both of 1930 and listed grade II. The planning of this theatre, with all its exits having to be on a single facade is a surprising and remarkable achievement of clarity and concision.

Sources Architect and Building News, 29 November 1929 The Builder, 29 November 1929 Architecture Illustrated, June 1931 Survey of London, vol. XXXVI, the Parish of St Paul, Covent Garden, 1970 The Theatres Trust, Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950, 2000

Black plaque on the Duchess Theatre.
- Tags:
- London
- theatre
- england
- greatbritain
- unitedkingdom
- strand
- aldwych
- nightshots
- drurylane
- thewestend
- cityofwestminster
- greaterlondon
- gradeiilisted
- gradeiilistedbuilding
- londontheatreland
- drurylanelondon
- plaque
- blackplaque
- thepitmenpainters
- duchesstheatre
- arthurgibbons
- ewenbarr
- marchenriandlaverdet
- openplaques:id=4324
December 3 2011, 11:05am | Comments »
I posted to flickr.com

Duchess Theatre - Catherine Street, London - The Pitmen Painters - sign

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6447473259/in/pool-473288@N25

ell brown has added a photo to the pool:

Near the Strand in London. Was here to see Crazy For You at the Novello Theatre.

This is the Duchess Theatre on Catherine Street. Currently home of The Pitmen Painters.

Grade II listed.

Duchess Theatre, Westminster

1900/0/10311 CATHERINE STREET 07-JUL-05 Duchess Theatre

II

Theatre. 1928-9 to the designs of Ewen Barr for Arthur Gibbons. Interios by Marc Henri and Laverdet. Neo-Tudor style. Steel framed building clad in horizontal stone panels to street frontage; roof not seen. A low parapet runs across the entire faÎade. Three central canted bays supported on console brackets, with cast panels decorated with the Tudor Rose, portcullis, Fleur de Lys, Prince of Wales feathers and carved initials for DT set between Crittall casement windows. They are linked by a large plinth that serves as a band for carrying signage. Long canopy across the entire faÎade is raised in centre over tympanum carrying the theatre's name under crown and sunburst motif by Arnold Auerbach, and three pairs of double timber doors. Pairs of windows in bays to either side over emergency circle exits.

Interior. Main doors lead to tiny entrance hall, which retains cornice details and some timber lining; ceiling laylight obscured. Stairs to left lead down to the stalls and up to private boxes; those to right lead through small crush bar to circle. Slightly octagonal crush bar in former foyer also with laylight (disused), cornices, and with moulded plasterwork to walls. Octagonal motif repeated in wall mirror. Stalls corridors lined in stippled plasterwork, foyer area with fluted cornice and laylights complete with grid of metal kames. Tall, narrow, double-height auditorium with single balcony. Ceiling with saucer dome and dentil frieze; private boxes at the rear (an unusual feature), those to left accessed only from the separate stair. Side walls with lattice window motif either side of tripartite recess set behind fluted baseless piers in antis over side exits. The recesses originally had low reliefs by Arnold Auerbach. Balustrade and seat ends survive from 1929. The stalls simpler, but with lattice-patterned laylights under the balcony. The anteproscenium has bronze relief decorative panels to either side of stage, now normally concealed, by Maurice Lambert, added at the behest of Mary Wyndham Lewis, wife of J B Priestley. The narrow stage reflects the limited space and the specialism in domestic drama for which it was devised.

The Duchess Theatre compares well with other London theatres of the years around 1930 already listed grade II, and is of a style not found or which does not survive outside the capital. It is relatively little altered, with most of its original decoration inside and out surviving, and testifying to the expertise of Henri and Laverdet, specialists in theatre decoration. The panels by Maurice Lambert are of particularly good quality, but it is as an ensemble that the Duchess succeeds, rather like the Cambridge (LB Camden) and Whitehall (City of Westminster), both of 1930 and listed grade II. The planning of this theatre, with all its exits having to be on a single facade is a surprising and remarkable achievement of clarity and concision.

Sources Architect and Building News, 29 November 1929 The Builder, 29 November 1929 Architecture Illustrated, June 1931 Survey of London, vol. XXXVI, the Parish of St Paul, Covent Garden, 1970 The Theatres Trust, Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950, 2000

Sign with quote review of the play.
- Tags:
- London
- theatre
- england
- greatbritain
- sign
- review
- unitedkingdom
- strand
- aldwych
- nightshots
- drurylane
- thewestend
- cityofwestminster
- greaterlondon
- gradeiilisted
- gradeiilistedbuilding
- londontheatreland
- drurylanelondon
- thepitmenpainters
- duchesstheatre
- arthurgibbons
- ewenbarr
- marchenriandlaverdet
December 3 2011, 11:04am | Comments »
I posted to flickr.com

Novello Theatre - Aldwych, London - Crazy For You

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6447464103/in/pool-473288@N25

ell brown has added a photo to the pool:

Near the Strand in London. Was here to see Crazy For You at the Novello Theatre.

This is the Novello Theatre on Aldwych in London. The theatre where we saw Crazy For You.

It was opened in 1905 as the Waldorf Theatre. Renamed in 1909 Strand Theatre. Renamed again in 2005 as Novello Theatre.

The theatre is Grade II listed.

The Strand Theatre, Westminster

TQ 3080 NE CITY OF WESTMINSTER ALDWYCH, WC2 73/20 (North side)

20.7.71 The Strand Theatre

G.V. II

Theatre. 1905 by W.G.R. Sprague. Portland stone faced, concealed roof. Lively Free Classicism of vaguely Beaux Arts derivation, part of the Aldwych-Kingsway development and designed as a reverse pair to the Aldwych Theatre q.v. flanking the Waldorf Hotel q.v. in a symmetrical composition. 4 storeys and attic storey. Identical 3-window wide elevations to Catherine Street and Aldwych linked by inset bowed 2-window wide corner entrance pavilion. Ground and 1st floors treated as rusticated podium with entrance to corner under canopy returned to both fronts. Arcaded 1st floor windows. Above 1st floor cornice rises a giant engaged Ionic order embracing the 2nd and 3rd floors with the 2nd floor windows treated as steep pedimented Venetian windows. Tall attic storey above main entablature fronted to Aldwych and Catherine Street by applied pediments, attic cornice and blocking course surmounted by ball finials. Generous use of high and low relief statuary groups, swags and pendants. Catherine Street facade continued as lower, giant pilastered wing. Interior has semi-elliptical vestibule; elegant foyer with marble dressings including Corinthian pilaster order; marble staircase with wrought iron and brass balustrades; ceilings compartmented in C.17 style; elliptical "Dixhuitieme" dress circle bar; fine auditorium with 3 cantilevered balconies, domed frescoed ceiling and high quality stucco decoration in "Dixhuitieme" taste, particularly the tiers of boxes surmounted by putti groups.

The Theatres of London; Mander and Mitchenson.

Craxy For You

Crazy for You is a musical with a book by Ken Ludwig, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. Billed as "The New Gershwin Musical Comedy", it is largely based on the songwriting team’s 1930 musical, Girl Crazy, but interpolates songs from several other productions as well.

It was the 2011 revival. First played at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in Summer 2011. Moved to the Novello in October 2011 to July 2012.

The show was quite good. Very enjoyable.
December 3 2011, 11:02am | Comments »
I posted to flickr.com

Novello Theatre - Aldwych, London - Crazy For You - sign

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6447458825/in/pool-473288@N25

ell brown has added a photo to the pool:

Near the Strand in London. Was here to see Crazy For You at the Novello Theatre.

This is the Novello Theatre on Aldwych in London. The theatre where we saw Crazy For You.

It was opened in 1905 as the Waldorf Theatre. Renamed in 1909 Strand Theatre. Renamed again in 2005 as Novello Theatre.

The theatre is Grade II listed.

The Strand Theatre, Westminster

TQ 3080 NE CITY OF WESTMINSTER ALDWYCH, WC2 73/20 (North side)

20.7.71 The Strand Theatre

G.V. II

Theatre. 1905 by W.G.R. Sprague. Portland stone faced, concealed roof. Lively Free Classicism of vaguely Beaux Arts derivation, part of the Aldwych-Kingsway development and designed as a reverse pair to the Aldwych Theatre q.v. flanking the Waldorf Hotel q.v. in a symmetrical composition. 4 storeys and attic storey. Identical 3-window wide elevations to Catherine Street and Aldwych linked by inset bowed 2-window wide corner entrance pavilion. Ground and 1st floors treated as rusticated podium with entrance to corner under canopy returned to both fronts. Arcaded 1st floor windows. Above 1st floor cornice rises a giant engaged Ionic order embracing the 2nd and 3rd floors with the 2nd floor windows treated as steep pedimented Venetian windows. Tall attic storey above main entablature fronted to Aldwych and Catherine Street by applied pediments, attic cornice and blocking course surmounted by ball finials. Generous use of high and low relief statuary groups, swags and pendants. Catherine Street facade continued as lower, giant pilastered wing. Interior has semi-elliptical vestibule; elegant foyer with marble dressings including Corinthian pilaster order; marble staircase with wrought iron and brass balustrades; ceilings compartmented in C.17 style; elliptical "Dixhuitieme" dress circle bar; fine auditorium with 3 cantilevered balconies, domed frescoed ceiling and high quality stucco decoration in "Dixhuitieme" taste, particularly the tiers of boxes surmounted by putti groups.

The Theatres of London; Mander and Mitchenson.

Craxy For You

Crazy for You is a musical with a book by Ken Ludwig, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. Billed as "The New Gershwin Musical Comedy", it is largely based on the songwriting team’s 1930 musical, Girl Crazy, but interpolates songs from several other productions as well.

It was the 2011 revival. First played at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in Summer 2011. Moved to the Novello in October 2011 to July 2012.

The show was quite good. Very enjoyable.

Sign of Crazy For You.
- Tags:
- London
- theatre
- england
- greatbritain
- sign
- unitedkingdom
- strand
- aldwych
- nightshots
- thewestend
- cityofwestminster
- greaterlondon
- gradeiilisted
- gradeiilistedbuilding
- londontheatreland
- wgrsprague
- portlandstonefaced
- freeclassicism
- aldwychkingswaydevelopment
- beauxartsderivation
- catherinest
- gershwin
- strandtheatre
- crazyforyou
- georgegershwin
- novellotheatre
- zangler
- iragershwin
- pollybaker
- kenludwig
- dixhuitieme
- bobbychild
- waldorftheatre
- belazangler
- zanglersfollies
December 3 2011, 11:01am | Comments »
I posted to flickr.com

Novello Theatre - Aldwych, London - Crazy For You

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6447453625/in/pool-473288@N25

ell brown has added a photo to the pool:

Near the Strand in London. Was here to see Crazy For You at the Novello Theatre.

This is the Novello Theatre on Aldwych in London. The theatre where we saw Crazy For You.

It was opened in 1905 as the Waldorf Theatre. Renamed in 1909 Strand Theatre. Renamed again in 2005 as Novello Theatre.

The theatre is Grade II listed.

The Strand Theatre, Westminster

TQ 3080 NE CITY OF WESTMINSTER ALDWYCH, WC2 73/20 (North side)

20.7.71 The Strand Theatre

G.V. II

Theatre. 1905 by W.G.R. Sprague. Portland stone faced, concealed roof. Lively Free Classicism of vaguely Beaux Arts derivation, part of the Aldwych-Kingsway development and designed as a reverse pair to the Aldwych Theatre q.v. flanking the Waldorf Hotel q.v. in a symmetrical composition. 4 storeys and attic storey. Identical 3-window wide elevations to Catherine Street and Aldwych linked by inset bowed 2-window wide corner entrance pavilion. Ground and 1st floors treated as rusticated podium with entrance to corner under canopy returned to both fronts. Arcaded 1st floor windows. Above 1st floor cornice rises a giant engaged Ionic order embracing the 2nd and 3rd floors with the 2nd floor windows treated as steep pedimented Venetian windows. Tall attic storey above main entablature fronted to Aldwych and Catherine Street by applied pediments, attic cornice and blocking course surmounted by ball finials. Generous use of high and low relief statuary groups, swags and pendants. Catherine Street facade continued as lower, giant pilastered wing. Interior has semi-elliptical vestibule; elegant foyer with marble dressings including Corinthian pilaster order; marble staircase with wrought iron and brass balustrades; ceilings compartmented in C.17 style; elliptical "Dixhuitieme" dress circle bar; fine auditorium with 3 cantilevered balconies, domed frescoed ceiling and high quality stucco decoration in "Dixhuitieme" taste, particularly the tiers of boxes surmounted by putti groups.

The Theatres of London; Mander and Mitchenson.

Craxy For You

Crazy for You is a musical with a book by Ken Ludwig, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. Billed as "The New Gershwin Musical Comedy", it is largely based on the songwriting team’s 1930 musical, Girl Crazy, but interpolates songs from several other productions as well.

It was the 2011 revival. First played at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in Summer 2011. Moved to the Novello in October 2011 to July 2012.

The show was quite good. Very enjoyable.
December 3 2011, 11:00am | Comments »
I posted to flickr.com

Lyceum Theatre - Wellington Street, London - The Lion King

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6447078605/in/pool-473288@N25

ell brown has added a photo to the pool:

Continuing on the way to the Strand up Wellington Street, past the theatre showing The Lion King at the Lyceum.

This is the Lyceum Theatre - Wellington Street in London, home of Disney's The Lion King (the stage show not the movie).

The theatre is Grade II* listed.

Lyceum Theatre, Westminster

In the entry for:- TQ 3080 NE WELLINGTON STREET, WC2 73/30 Lyceum Theatre (formerly listed as Nos 17 to 21 (odd) Lyceum Theatre). 20.8.60 The grade shall be upgraded to Grade II* (Star).

TQ 3080 NE CITY OF WESTMINSTER WELLINGTON STREET, WC2 73/30 Lyceum Theatre (formerly 20.8.60 listed as Nos 17 to 21. (odd) Lyceum Theatre) G.V. II Theatre now dance hall. 1831-34 by Samuel Beazley, interior rebuilt with auditorium of 1904 by Bertie Crewe. Painted stone front with painted brick side and rear. Graeco-Roman porticoed main front by Beazley, the principal theatre architect of his day. 2 storeys and attic. 3 major bays wide with portico extended to right with a wing whose frontage is angled to street line. Giant hexastyle Corinthian columned portico with coupled outer columns extending over pavement with pediment. Tall attic above the dentilled and modillioned main entablature; triple arched group of doorways. The wing is of 2 storeys only with arcaded treatment and bracketed cornice. Interior despite adaptation and alteration for present ballroom use retains substantial part of Crewe's 1904 work: grand entrance foyer and staircase lead to spectacular auditorium, now with flat floor, but with most of its original lavish Rococo style ornament intact; 3 balconies; immense cartouche above proscenium arch which is flanked by 2 tiers of paired, elaborately framed, boxes, the upper tier with Corinthian columns and fantastical arches; square deeply coved ceiling with original paintings etc. One of the oldest theatres in London and a major Crewe auditorium. The Theatres of London; Mander and Mitchenson
- Tags:
- London
- theatre
- england
- greatbritain
- Disney
- unitedkingdom
- strand
- nightshots
- thewestend
- cityofwestminster
- greaterlondon
- gradeiilisted
- gradeiilistedbuilding
- londontheatreland
- samuelbeazley
- columns
- coventgarden
- column
- dancehall
- thelionking
- wellingtonst
- lyceumtheatre
- beazley
- disneysthelionking
- bertiecrewe
- graecoromanporticoed
December 3 2011, 9:43am | Comments »
I posted to flickr.com

Noel Coward Theatre - St Martin's Lane, London - Million Dollar Quartet - signs under canopies

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6444139229/in/pool-473288@N25

ell brown has added a photo to the pool:

Heading to our theatre on St Martin's Lane to see Million Dollar Quartet at the Noel Coward Theatre, on our first night in London.

This is the theatre where we went to see Million Dollar Quartet at the Noel Coward Theatre.

Formerly it was the Albery Theatre from 1973 to about 2005 / 06. From 1903 it was the New Theatre.

Grade II listed.

The Albery, Westminster

TQ 3080 NW CITY OF WESTMINSTER ST. MARTIN'S LANE, WC2 72/73 27.6.63 The Albery (Formerly The New Theatre) G.V. II Theatre. 1903 by W.G. Sprague, Frank Matcham's pupil and collaborator, Claude Ponsonby consultant for interior decoration. Portland stone front, with short return to brick side, slate roof. Free Classical eclecticism. 3 and 4 storeys. 9 windows wide, with 5 central bays slightly advanced. Arcaded entrances beneath iron and glass canopy across ground floor, its centre part ornamented and probably original. The 1st and 2nd floors, articulated by giant Ionic order, have central 1st floor windows in 5 bay arcaded loggia; architraved windows above. Bold crowning entablature and balustraded parapet with ball finials on dies. The parapet interrupted by the broad pediment over the advanced centre bays and with carved tympanum. 3 window south return in same style contained by plain flank of auditorium. The auditorium interior is in restrained French neo-classical taste with coupled Doric half-columns and pilasters; 3 bombé fronted tiers of balconies and 3 tier stage boxes within reveal of proscenium arch; main ceiling with shallow dome; delicate painted decoration and graceful "Louis XVI" stucco reliefs and mouldings with ormulu tripod lamps to the 1st balcony wall and ormulu and stucco sconces to the balcony fronts and 2nd balcony wall, etc. The Theatres of London; Mander and Mitchenson.

Million Dollar Quartet is about the evening when four 1950s rock stars recorded an album together for one night only.

Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis

Million Dollar Quartet, Noel Coward Theatre, London

On 4 December 1956 the ultimate jam session took place. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis gathered at the Sun studio of their mentor Sam Phillips to make music and conversation. What is remarkable is that there haven't been innumerable plays, films and TV documentaries about this seminal moment in pop history.

Signs under the canopies.
- Tags:
- London
- theatre
- england
- greatbritain
- sign
- noelcowardtheatre
- unitedkingdom
- frankmatcham
- nightshots
- thewestend
- cityofwestminster
- greaterlondon
- gradeiilisted
- gradeiilistedbuilding
- londontheatreland
- signs
- johnnycash
- canopy
- canopies
- portlandstone
- elvispresley
- sunstudio
- jerryleelewis
- stmartinslane
- samphillips
- alberytheatre
- newtheatre
- carlperkins
- milliondollarquartet
- wgsprague
- claudeponsonby
- freeclassicaleclecticism
December 2 2011, 6:26pm | Comments »