An A-Z Encyclopaedia of London Theatres and Music Halls
LONDON THEATRES ENCYCLOPAEDIA
I have been an avid London theatregoers for more than 50 years, and at one point in time I could claim to have seen every single show in the West End, and to have visited every existing West End Theatre. I can tell you the exact location of each theatre, who was on the bill and who was in the cast. Or can I? Some of those theatres became confused in my mind, some disappeared, or were renamed.
So, some years ago, for fun, I started to make a list of London’s theatres and try to find some programme covers or illustrations to go with them. Then I got very ambitious and decided to make a list of every London theatre that ever opened or closed! As far as I could tell, no one had done that before.
I started with the books of earlier enthusiasts: W. Macqueen Pope, Errol Sherson, Diana Howard, and the unrivalled Raymond Mander and Joe Mitchenson; I talked with enthusiasts like John Earl of the Theatres Trust, Roger Fox, and members of the British Music Hall Society; and I poured through many fascinating websites. Numerous friends in the theatrical profession, local libraries and theatre patrons have all provided me with bits and pieces that have helped make up this Encyclopaedia.
This present book is bound to have its share of mistakes, some from earlier writers, many from me. There are some dubious opening and closing dates, and a frequent use of question marks when I cannot find any information. I am hoping for three things: firstly that the reader will at least appreciate this first ever attempt to list all London’s theatres in one volume; secondly, that the reader who can fill in missing dates, correct wrong information, and provide details of missing entries will get in touch with me and put me right; thirdly that sharing this “mighty tome” and hobby of mine will bring some pleasure, nostalgic or informative, to other theatre lovers.
Vivyan Ellacott
(* I have tried very hard to locate and credit authors, illustrators and photographers whose works appear in the book. Those I have missed or inadvertently offended, please contact me to put right the situation.)
I have been an avid London theatregoers for more than 50 years, and at one point in time I could claim to have seen every single show in the West End, and to have visited every existing West End Theatre. I can tell you the exact location of each theatre, who was on the bill and who was in the cast. Or can I? Some of those theatres became confused in my mind, some disappeared, or were renamed.
So, some years ago, for fun, I started to make a list of London’s theatres and try to find some programme covers or illustrations to go with them. Then I got very ambitious and decided to make a list of every London theatre that ever opened or closed! As far as I could tell, no one had done that before.
I started with the books of earlier enthusiasts: W. Macqueen Pope, Errol Sherson, Diana Howard, and the unrivalled Raymond Mander and Joe Mitchenson; I talked with enthusiasts like John Earl of the Theatres Trust, Roger Fox, and members of the British Music Hall Society; and I poured through many fascinating websites. Numerous friends in the theatrical profession, local libraries and theatre patrons have all provided me with bits and pieces that have helped make up this Encyclopaedia.
This present book is bound to have its share of mistakes, some from earlier writers, many from me. There are some dubious opening and closing dates, and a frequent use of question marks when I cannot find any information. I am hoping for three things: firstly that the reader will at least appreciate this first ever attempt to list all London’s theatres in one volume; secondly, that the reader who can fill in missing dates, correct wrong information, and provide details of missing entries will get in touch with me and put me right; thirdly that sharing this “mighty tome” and hobby of mine will bring some pleasure, nostalgic or informative, to other theatre lovers.Vivyan Ellacott
(* I have tried very hard to locate and credit authors, illustrators and photographers whose works appear in the book. Those I have missed or inadvertently offended, please contact me to put right the situation.)
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