Coliseum Theatre
Le Coliseum Theatre (connu aussi sous le nom comme du London Coliseum) est sur St. Martin's Lane, dans la Cité de Westminster. C'est l'un des plus grands et meilleurs théâtres équipés de Londres; et ouvert en 1904, conçu par l'architecte théâtral Frank Matcham (le designer du London Palladium), pour l'imprésario Oswald Stoll. Leur ambition était de construire le plus grand et le plus excellent 'People's palace of entertainment' de son âge[1].
La performance inaugurale qui s'est déroulée le 24 décembre 1904 était une émission de variétés. En 1911, le dramaturge W. S. Gilbert a produit sa dernière pièce ici, The Hooligan.
Le théâtre a changé son nom passant du London Coliseum au Coliseum Theatre entre 1931 et 1968 où 651 fonctionnement de la comédie musicale l'Auberge de Cheval Blanche commencée le 8 avril 1931). Il a retourné au nom original quand la Société d'Opéra de Puits de Sadler (ayant déplacé du Théâtre de Puits de Sadler) déplacé au Colisée en 1968. La Société a changé son nom à l'Opéra national anglais en 1974 et a acheté en propriété libre de la construction(du bâtiment) pour £ 12.8m.
The theatre changed its name from the to the between 1931 and 1968 when 651 performances of the musical comedy White Horse Inn started on April 8 1931). It reverted to the original name when the Sadler's Wells Opera Company (having moved from Sadler's Wells Theatre) moved to the Coliseum in 1968. The Company changed its name to the English National Opera in 1974 and bought the freehold of the building for £12.8m.
It underwent extensive renovations between 2000 and 2004 and has the widest proscenium arch in London as well as being one of the earliest to have electric lighting. It was built with a revolving stage although this was rarely used. The theatre retains many of its original features and was Grade II* listed by English Heritage in September 1960[2]. The design team for the refurbishment was RHWL (architects), Arup Acoustics(acousticians) and Arup (building engineers).
The theatre hosted both the 2004 and 2006 Royal Variety Performances, in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales.
As a 14th birthday treat, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was taken by her parents to a West End show, to see Sir Charles Hawtrey at the London Coliseum (on August 4 1914). On the same day her future father-in-law, King George V, summoned the Privy Council and declared war on Germany. This event is commemorated in a poem by the Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, celebrating her 100th birthday in 2000.
Transport links
The London Coliseum is located near several tube stations:
- Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern lines)
- Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines)
- Embankment (Northern, Bakerloo, Circle and District lines)
Charing Cross also provides mainline National Rail connections.
References
- London Coliseum (Arthur Lloyd) accessed 24 Oct 2007
- English Heritage listing details accessed 28 Apr 2007
- Theatres trust - London Coliseum page
- Theatre History, With many Pictures, Programmes and Press Cutting
- Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950, John Earl and Michael Sell pp. 121-2 (Theatres Trust, 2000) ISBN 0-7136-5688-3