Victoria Palace Theatre
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The Victoria Palace Theatre is a theatre in Victoria Street, London, England.
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[edit] Location
Situated opposite Victoria Station, it was designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1911 on the site of two music hall buildings from the second half of the 19th century which had both been demolished. Under impresario Alfred Butt, the Victoria Palace Theatre continued the musical tradition of the place by presenting mainly varieties and revues.
[edit] Characteristics
The domed auditorium seats 1,550 people. A sliding roof helps ventilate the auditorium during the intervals, which was a novelty feature in the days of heavy smoking during performances.
[edit] Memorable productions
- 1930: The Chelsea Follies, starring Jimmy Nervo and Teddy Knox
- 1934: Young England, a patriotic play by Walter Reynolds [1]
- 1937: Me and My Girl, starring Lupino Lane
- 1944-45 Variety, top-lining Will Hay, Stainless Stephen, Victor Barna (world champion table tennis exhibition)
- 1947—1962: shows by The Crazy Gang
- 1962: The Black and White Minstrel Show
- 1974: Carry On London
- 1978: Annie
- 1982: Windy City (based on The Front Page by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur)
- 1982: The Little Foxes, a drama by Lillian Hellman, starring Elizabeth Taylor in her London stage debut
- 1986: Charlie Girl, starring Cyd Charisse
- 1987: High Society (adapted from the 1956 movie, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter), starring Natasha Richardson and Stephen Rea
- 1989—1995: Buddy (based on the life of Buddy Holly)
- 2002: Kiss Me, Kate by Cole Porter
- 2003: Tonight's the Night (based on the songs of Rod Stewart)
- 2005, 2006: Billy Elliot the Musical (based on the original screenplay by Lee Hall, with music by Elton John)
[edit] References
- Ronald Bergan: The Great Theatres of London. An Illustrated Companion (Prion: London, 1990) (ISBN 1-85375-057-3).
- Patricia Dee Berry: Theatrical London (Britain in Old Photographs series) (Alan Sutton: Stroud, Gloucestershire, 1995) (ISBN 0-7509-0942-0). hello
