The Lyceum Theatre London

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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The Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, Westminster, London, WC2E 7DN, is a West-End theatre with a 2,000 person seating capability. The present site of the opened July 14, 1834, and the theatre was designed mainly by Samuel Beazley, who gave the theatre a unique characteristic in its balcony, which hung over the circle, but in 1882, C.J. Phipps, a theatre architect, reconstructed the building partially and made improvements. The building in existence today still has the façade and grand portico designed by Beazley, but the inner theatre keeps Bertie Crewe's 1904 design, restored in 1996 after being used for a long period of time as a Mecca Ballroom.

The first few years of the theatre saw the performance of the first modern English opera, "The Mountain Sylph" the same year of its opening. This performance was followed by "Fair Rosamun," performed in 1837, "Farinelli" in 1839 and "Blanche of Jersey," shown in 1840.

Michael Balfe managed the theatre from 1841 to 1843, producing National Opera, but this proved to be unsuccessful. The works of Charles Dickens became associated with the theatre at this time, and ...
... an adaptation of "Martin Chuzzlewit" ran for more than 100 performances between 1844 and 1845.

Madame Lucia Elizabeth Vestris managed the theatre from 1847 to 1855 and produced shows by James Planché and the adaptation of "A Tale of Two Cities" by Tom Taylor. It was then managed by Charles Fechter from 1863 to 1867.

In 1871, under manager Hezekiah Linthicum Bateman, the theatre produced shows starring Sir Henry Irving. In 1874, "Hamlet" ran for 200 nights with Irving in the starring role. Upon Bateman's death in 1878, Irving took over the theatre. During his tenure as manager, several popular shows were played, including "The Merchant of Venice," "King Lear," and "Much Ado About Nothing."
1904 saw the rebuilding of the theatre's interior and the theatre began presenting music and variety shows, trying to compete with the London Coliseum and the Palace Theatre. This, however, was not successful, and the theatre began, once again, showcasing strictly drama. In 1919, more alterations were made and dramas continued playing for 10 months out of every year.

In 1937, the theatre was converted into a cinema, but only one film, "The Gang Show," was ever shown, in April of 1937. The following month, the space was converted back into a live theatre venue.

The London City Council bought the building in 1939, planning to demolish it. After the war, the demolition plans were abandoned, and the building was reopened as a ballroom. During the 1960s and 1970s, the space was used as a concert venue and for television broadcasts.

The theatre shut down in 1986. Owner Brent Walker leased the space but eventually gave up the lease, allowing the theatre to be restored and in 1996, the space was reconverted into a theatre with the capabilities to present large-scale musicals or opera. "The Lion King" musical has been playing since 1999.

If you fancy some tickets for the Lyceum Theatre or any other London Theatre Tickets visit the website.