The History Of The Aldwych West End Theatre

By Author: Albert Jakeman
Total Articles: 9

A visit to the theatre can be one of the most magical and memorable experiences an individual can have. Many people take great pleasure in this popular pastime and some individuals enjoy visiting different productions in theatres all over the world. The history and story of a theatre itself can add to the overall impact of your experience there. If you are watching a production in a theatre which is steeped in deep rich history then there is an added element of excitement and enchantment. One theatre which certainly possesses this in abundance is the Aldwych West End Theatre situated in Westminster, London.

The Aldwych Theatre initially captivated the hearts of the British public in 1905 when it first opened its doors with a production of ‘Blue Bell’. The theatre itself was a picture of beauty, designed by Australian theatre architect W. G. R. Sprague it was adorned in charming Georgian style decorations. After the shows of ‘Blue Bell’, the Aldwych Theatre played home to a whole host of different productions, such as, ‘The Beauty of Bath’, ‘Le Sacre du Printemps’ and ‘The Gay Gordons’.

In the mid 1920’s until 1933, the theatre played host to a number of British playwright Ben Travers’ comedy productions, such as, ‘Plunder and A Cup of Kindness’ and ‘A Cuckoo in the Nest’. Down to their sheer popularity, these have gone down in history as ‘The Aldwych Farces. But history was truly made when The Royal Shakespeare Company made the Aldwych Theatre their home in 1960, where they were based for more than 20 years. The number of outstanding and unforgettable performances which took place there are simply too many to name, not only did they include the famous Shakespeare productions but other famous and groundbreaking shows such as ‘The Greeks’ and ‘The War of the Roses’.

Today the famous West End theatre plays home to an array of popular musical and comedy productions as well as various fascinating plays. These have included the likes of ‘Dirty Dancing’, ‘Fame’ and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Whistle Down the Wind’. At present an exciting production of ‘Top Hat’, a 1935 comedy musical, is being shown at the Aldwych.

If you are looking for a theatre which not only shows fantastic and groundbreaking productions but is steeped in culture and history then the Aldwych West End Theatre is exactly what you need. The feeling of anticipation, excitement and grandeur you feel whilst experiencing a production in the famous theatre is something which is simply indescribable. It is not only the perfect place for those that love performing arts and take pleasure in visiting theatres on a regular basis but it is also an excellent place for someone to watch their very first theatre production. Its enchantment and captivation is ensured to make you want to come back again and again. The history and culture of our country is important and precious and the Aldwych West End Theatre is a huge part of that.

Albert Jakeman is a theatre critic. He has written many articles on West end theatre. In this article he is providing us with some valuable information on the History of the Aldwych West End Theatre. For more information to visit http://www.aldwychtheatre.com