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| ADELPHI
THEATRE 44 playbills from the Adelphi Theatre, 1826-1875. UKC/POS/LDN ADE |
Other names: Theatre Royal, Adelphi (1830-1848); Theatre Royal, New Adelphi (1863-1867); Theatre Royal, Adelphi (1868-) |
| In 1830 Mr. Hawes was Musical Director, Mr. Bartley was Stage Manager, Mr. Wagstaff
was Orchestra Leader, and Messrs. Tomkins and Pitt were Scene Painters. In 1838 the Adelphi was managed by Mr. Yates, and its redecoration in that year was undertaken by Mr. Saunders, -, Mr Woolley and Mr. Godbee. Mr Pitt was Scene Painter, Mr. Callcott was Leader, Mr. Godbee and Miss Rayner made the costumes, and Mr. Sexby was Machinist. By 1848 G.H. Rodwell was Musical Director, Mr. Cullenford was Stage Director, Mr. Webb was Prompter, Mr. Healey was Leader of the Band, and W. Telbin and Mr. Pitt were Scene Painters. From 1844-74 Benjamin Webster managed the Adelphi Theatre, with Madame Celeste as Directress. In 1853 Leigh Murray was Stage Manager. In 1863 J.W. Anson was Treasurer, R. Phillips was Stage Manager, and William Smith was Acting Manager. By [1865] J. Kinloch was Acting Manager. In 1868 Mrs. Alfred Mellon was Directress. In 1875, Benjamin Webster was still proprietor, but F.B. Chatterton was manager of the theatre. S. Emery was Stage Manager, J.W. Anson was Treasurer, Edwin Ellis was Musical Director, Mr. Bradwell was in charge of properties, Mr. Charker was Machinist, and T.G. Clark supplied the refreshments. |
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| ALBERT SALOON, HOXTON UKC/POS/LDN ALB 1 playbill from the Albert Saloon, 1849. |
The Albert Saloon was licensed between 1843 and 1851. Henry Brading managed it from 1843 until 1850. In 1849 S. Atkyns was Acting and Stage Manager. |
| ALHAMBRA PALACE MUSIC HALL UKC/POS/LDN APM 1 playbill from the Alhambra Palace Music Hall, 1861. |
The theatre opened in 1854 as the Panopticon of Science and Art. Edward
Tyrrell Smith converted the building into the Alhambra Palace in 1858. It finally closed
as a theatre in September 1936 and was demolished to make way for a cinema. Edward Tyrrell Smith managed the Alhambra Palace from 1858 until 1861. |
| ASTLEY'S THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN AST 9 playbills from Astley's Theatre, under various names, 1844-[1865?]. |
Other names: Astley's Royal amphitheatre of Arts; Astley's Royal Amphitheatre; Astley's, Europe's National Amphitheatre |
| From 1843 to 1853, 1860 to 1862 and in 1863 William Batty was manager. William Cooke
managed the theatre from 1853 to 1860. Edward Tyrell Smith was lessee from 1863 to 1866. Under William Batty's management the stage managers were: W.D. Broadfoot (also Acting Manager, 1844); W. West (1848); T. Thompson (1851). Under William Cooke's management W. West was Stage Manager, H.W. Cooke was Acting Manager, and W. Cooke, Jun. was Equestrian Director (1855-58). Later, R. Phillips was Stage Manager. Under the management of E.T. Smith, -, Mr Friend was Stage Manager. |
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| ROYAL ALEXANDRA THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN ATI 1 [incomplete] playbill from the Royal Alexandra Theatre, 1865. |
The old barn of the Manor of Highbury was opened as a pleasure resort in 1740. The
Royal Alexandra was erected here in 1865. The theatre closed in 1871. Edward Giovannelli managed the theatre from 1865 until 1871. |
| AVENUE THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN AVE 1 playbill from the Avenue Theatre, 1887. |
The Avenue Theatre opened in 1882. It was renamed the Playhouse in 1933 and
closed as a theatre in 1951. George Wood managed the theatre from 1882 to 1887. In the final year R. D'Albertson was Acting Manager, A. Griffin was Assistant Stage Manager, John Crook and M. Jacobi were Conductors and Mrs. Johnson was Chorus Mistress. |
| BRITANNIA THEATRE, HOXTON UKC/POS/LDN BRI 107 playbills from the Britannia Theatre, Hoxton, 1857-1896 |
The Britannia Theatre was built in 1858 on the site of the old Britannia Saloon,
which had opened in 1841. In 1923 it became a cinema but was destroyed in 1940. From 1871
to 1899 the theatre was managed by Mrs. Sara Lane. During the period 1886-1896 two plays were usually performed each night, with a variety entertainment. The price of bills was one halfpenny (noted at the top of each bill). |
| BRIXTON THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN BRX |
The Brixton Theatre opened in 1896. During the final months of its existence, before
being demolished by a bomb in 1940, it was renamed the Melville Theatre. Frederick Melville managed the theatre from 1907 until 1938. His acting manager was Chris Mason. |
| CANTERBURY THEATRE
OF VARIETIES UKC/POS/LDN CAN 1 playbill from the Canterbury Theatre of Varieties, [190?]. |
This theatre opened in 1851 and was destroyed in 1942. It was named the Canterbury
Theatre of Varieties between 1904 and 1912 and 1914 and 1922. George Adney Payne managed the theatre from 1883 until 1909. |
| CITY OF LONDON THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN CIT 14 playbills from the City of London Theatre, 1839-1860. |
Other names: City of London Theatre, 1839; Royal City of London Theatre, 1843; New City of London Theatre, 1859. |
| In 1843 Mr. Doyne was Stage Manager, Mr. Collins was Composer and Orchestra Leader,
and Mr. Durson was Machinist. Lord Chamberlain's licences were given to Frederick Fox Cooper, 1844; Christopher Cockerton, 1844-1848; and John Johnson and Richard Nelson Lee, 1848-1863. In January 1859 the theatre personnel were as follows: J. Johnson, Treasurer; Nelson Lee, Acting Manager; William Searle, Stage Manager; G. Howard, Prompter; S. Walker, Property Master; J. Burkett, Machinist; T. Harris, Orchestra Leader and Composer; Mrs. Dore, Box and Saloon Keeper. By the summer season, Austin Lee was Treasurer, E. Bennett was Property Master, and H. Roullright was Leader and Composer. During the winter season J. Johnson was again Treasurer. |
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| THEATRE ROYAL COVENT GARDEN UKC/POS/LDN COV 50 playbills from the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, 1822-1859. |
The first Theatre Royal in Covent Garden was built in 1732. This and the subsequent
building burnt down. The present building was erected in 1858. In 1859 the theatre was called the Royal English Opera, Covent Garden. Madame Vestris was manager in 1841. By 1859 Louisa Pyne and W. Harrison were managing the theatre. |
| THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE UKC/POS/LDN DRU 243 playbills from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 1823-c. 1870, mostly covering the years 1823-1858, with an almost complete run of 208 covering the 1828-1829 season. |
The first Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, opened in 1663. The fourth and present theatre
opened on 10 October 1812. It was a patent theatre. In 1828 the stage personnel were as follows: Mr. Cooper (Stage Manager), T. Cooke (Director of the Band), J.T. Harris (Director of the Chorus), Mr. Barrymore (Melodramatic and Pantomime Director), Mr. Dunn (Treasurer), and Mr. Spring (Box Office Keeper). [See UKC/POS/LDN DRU : 599330]. In 1841 Mr. Bunn was Acting and Stage Manager, though by December of that year Mr. Serle was Acting Manager and Mr. Anderson Stage Manager. T. Cooke was Musical Director, Mr. Thomas Leader of the Band, Mr. Willmott Superintendent, Mr. Noble Ballet Master, and Mr. Land Chorus Master. During the period 1853-1855 E.T. Smith was Lessee. George Wild was Acting Manager and Edward Stirling was Stage Manager. In 1855 Charles Mathews was Acting Manager, Robert Roxby was Stage Manager and Edward Chatterton was Box Officer Keeper. In 1858 Louisa Pyne and W. Harrison managed the theatre. |
| ELEPHANT THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN ELE 1 playbill from the Elephant Theatre, 1926. |
The Elephant [and Castle] Theatre opened in 1872. In 1928 it became a cinema. Sidney Barnard was manager of the Elephant [and Castle] Theatre from 1926 until 1928. |
| EFFINGHAM THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN ELT 1 [incomplete] playbill from the Effingham Theatre, 1866. |
The theatre was built in 1834 and closed as a place of live entertainment in 1897.
From 1861 to 1867 it was called the Effingham Theatre. Morris Abrahams managed the theatre from 1856 until 1880. |
| ROYAL FORESTERS'HALL UKC/POS/LDN FMH 1 playbill from the Royal Foresters' Music Hall, 1875. |
The Foresters' opened c. 1825 and closed in 1917. It had various names. From 1871 until 1879 it was managed by Robert Fort. In 1875 the stage was under the direction of Wieland and Holmes. |
| FREDERICKS' ROYAL PALACE OF
VARIETIES UKC/POS/LDN FRP 2 playbills from Fredericks' (late Wilton's) Royal Palace of Varieties, 1873-1875. |
The Hall opened c. 1850 and was closed by fire in 1877. It had various names. From 1874 until 1877 the Hall was licensed to George Fredericks. |
| NEW THEATRE GREENWICH UKC/POS/LDN GNT 3 playbills from the New Theatre, Greenwich/Greenwich Theatre Royal, 1866-1867. |
In 1866 Sefton Parry was proprietor and manager of the theatre. W.J. Hurlstone was
Acting Manager, C. Stanton was Stage Manager, and G. Richardson was Musical Director. In 1867 Sefton Parry was still proprietor, but William Sydney was lessee and manager. Herbert Masson was Musical Director, and W.J. Hurlstone was still Acting Manager. |
| ROYAL GRECIAN THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN GRE 3 playbills from the Royal Grecian Theatre, 1854-1859. |
The Grecian Theatre opened c. 1825 and closed in 1882. Benjamin Oliver Conquest managed the theatre from 1851 to 1879. In 1854 C. Montgomery was Acting Manager, R. Phillips was Stage Manager, Mr. Edroff was Composer, and Mr. Jones made the scenery. In 1859 George Conquest was Acting and Stage Manager, C. Smithers was Scenic Artist, Mr. Smithers was Machinist, Mrs. Smythers and Mr. May made the costumes, and Mr. Gibbs designed the properties. G. Gillett was Prompter, T. Berry was Musical Director, and W. Edroff was Leader of the Band. |
| GARRICK THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN GTL 1 playbill from the Garrick Theatre, 1856. |
The Garrick Theatre, Leman Street, Whitechapel, opened in 1831 and closed c. 1881. Lawrence Levy managed the theatre from 1854-1864 and 1867-1868. In 1856 E.B. Gaston was Stage Manager. |
| ROYAL GLOBE THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN GTS 2 playbills from the Royal Globe Theatre, Newcastle Street, 1869-1870, and 1 from the Globe Theatre, Newcastle Street, [1874]. |
The Globe was opened in 1868 by Sefton Parry, who managed it until 1869. In 1869 W.J.
Hurlstone was Treasurer, J. Tindale was Stage Director, G. Richardson was Musical Director
and F. Stripling was Machinist. Fanny Josephs managed the theatre from December 1869 until September 1870. In February 1870 James Lyons designed the furniture and appointments, Mr. Tindale was Stage Director, F. Shipling was Mechanist, and G. Richardson was Musical Director. In 1874, H. Wigan was Stage Manager, with R.P. Emery as Acting Manager. Mr. Vandenbossche was the Conductor. |
| THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET UKC/POS/LDN HAY 37 playbills from the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 1833-1869. |
The Theatre Royal, Haymarket, was under the management of Benjamin Webster in the
1840s and early 1850s. In 1854 J.B. Buckstone is mentioned on playbills as Manager. In 1840 F. Webster was Acting Manager, Mr. Willmott was Stage Director, Mr. Reed was Musical Director, and T.G. Reed was Orchestra Leader. Charles Marshall was in charge of the Scenic Dept. and G. Morris was his assistant. Mr. Carter was Treasurer. This list of technical personnel can be found on playbill UKC/POS/LDN HAY : 0595878. During the years 1843-1846 W. Farren was Stage Manager, with F. Webster as Stage Director and T.G. Reed as Musical Director. In 1850 James Wallack was Stage Manager. By 1852 Leigh Murray was Stage Manager and Alfred Mellon was Musical Director. |
| HOLLOWAY EMPIRE THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN HET 1 playbill from the Holloway Empire Theatre, undated. |
The Holloway Empire opened in 1899 and was being used as a cinema by 1924. The theatre was licensed to Oswald Stoll from 1899 to 1910. |
| NEW HOLBORN THEATRE ROYAL UKC/POS/LDN HOD 1 playbill from the New Holborn Theatre Royal, 1868. |
Sefton Parry developed the theatre and managed it from 1866 until 1868. At this time it was called the New Holborn Theatre Royal. |
| BOWER SALOON, BOWER THEATRE, LAMBETH UKC/POS/LDN LAM 2 playbills from the Bower Saloon, 1850, and 7 illustrated playbills from the Bower Theatre, Lambeth, 1866-1869. |
The Bower Theatre (occasionally prefixed with Royal and also at one time called the Bower Saloon) opened in 1837 and closed in 1877, when it became a warehouse for Price's Patent Candles. In 1850 it was managed by J. Biddles, and from 1855 to 1876 it was managed by Victor Hazelton. |
| LONDON PAVILION UKC/POS/LDN LDP 1 playbill from the London Pavilion, possibly from 1887. |
This theatre was built in 1885, after the demolition of the London Pavilion music hall
in Tichborne Street. It housed variety entertainments. Robert Edwin Villiers managed the theatre from 1886 until 1890, and Edwin Adam Villiers managed the theatre from 1890 to 1891. In [1887?] Edward Swanborough was Acting Manager. |
| LONDON PAVILION, TICHBORNE STREET UKC/POS/LDN LPT 1 playbill from the London Pavilion, Tichborne Street, 1879. |
The London Pavilion was opened in 1861. It cost œ12,000 and had a capacity of
2,000, which was later reduced to 1,750. It was demolished in 1885, and rebuilt in
Piccadilly. Emil Loibl managed the theatre from 1860 until 1879. |
| LUSBY'S SUMMER AND WINTER PALACE UKC/POS/LDN LUS 2 playbills from Lusby's Summer and Winter Palace, 1879-1880. |
This theatre was licensed from c. 1848 until 1933. Having had numerous names, from
1912 it was called the Mile End Empire. From 1878 to 1883 the theatre proprietors were C.S. Crowder and G.A. Payne. In 1880 Wilton Friend was General Manager, F. Lafargue was Chairman, J.R. Nash was Secretary, and Frank Weeks was Scenic Artist. |
| LYCEUM THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN LYC 29 playbills, and one programme, from the Lyceum Theatre, some under its earlier names the English Opera House and the Theatre Royal, English Opera House, 1839-1939. |
Other names: English Opera House, 1839. Theatre Royal, English Opera, 1839-1841. Theatre Royal, Lyceum, 1844-1845. Lyceum Theatre, 1847. Royal Lyceum Theatre, 1848. Managers : M.W. Balfe (1841); Mrs. Keeley (1844-1847); Madame Vestris (1848); Mr. Fechter (1863-1867); H.L. Bateman (1873-1875). From 1910 to 1938 Walter and Frederick Melville managed the Lyceum. Bert E. Hammond was manager from 1938-1939. |
| In 1844 Mr. Willmott was Stage Manager, and C. Jones was Treasurer. In 1845 Edward
Stirling was Stage Manager. In 1847, Mr. Keeley was Acting Manager, Mr. Bender was
Assistant Stage Manager, Mr. Frampton was Ballet Master, Alexander Lee was Musical
Director, and Mr. Loder was Orchestra Leader. In 1848 Robert Roxby was Stage Manager, with
Edward Fitzwilliam as Musical Director, Oscar Byrne as Ballet Master and C. Jones as
Treasurer. In [1863] H. Barnett was Acting Manager, and William West was Stage Manager. In 1913? Leslie Hughes was Acting Manager and Treasurer and S. Major Jones was Stage Manager. In 1926? Bert E. Hammond was Acting Manager and Clifford Seyler was Stage Manager. By 1935 Henry Carlisle was Stage Director and Andrew Emm, Jun. was Stage Manager. In 1939 Andrew Melville was Acting Manager and Treasurer. |
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| THEATRE ROYAL, MARLEBONE UKC/POS/LDN MAR 3 playbills from the Theatre Royal, Marylebone, 1847-[18-?]. |
The theatre was opened in 1832 as the Royal Pavilion West, and went through a
number of names before ending up as a cinema in 1923. Robert William Warner was lessee from 1847 to 1848. In September 1847 Mr. Harvey was Stage Manager, Mr. Warner was Acting Manager, and Mr. Penson was Musical Director. H.J. Cuthbert and Mr. Dayes were Scene Painters, Edmund Bradwell designed the appointments and decorations, Mr. Brown and Mrs. Balls made the costumes, Mr. Garnett was Machinist, and Mr. Moore was Prompter. Mr. Howell arranged pantomimes. Walter Watts was Lessee in 1849. At this time John Penson was Acting Manager, and George Ellis was Stage Manager. Edward Chatterton was in charge of the Box Office. A John Loveridge managed the theatre in 1850, and George Augustus Loveridge and Alfred Loveridge managed the theatre from 1883 to 1885. Alfred Loveridge managed the theatre on his own in 1885-1886. |
| NEW THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN NEW 2 playbills from the New Theatre, advertising the same event in 1927. |
The New Theatre opened in 1903. Mary Wyndham managed the theatre from 1919 until 1931. |
| OLYMPIC THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN OLY 18 playbills from the Olympic Theatre, 1853-1875. |
In [1853?], under the management of William Farren, Henry Marston was Stage Manager
and C. Bender was Stage Director During Alfred Wigan's first season as manager, in 1853-54, W.S. Emden was Acting Manager and T.G. Reed was Musical Director. Alfred Wigan was Stage Manager, J. Dayes and J. Wilson were Scene Painters, Mr. Sutherland was Machinist, Mr. Moreland and Mr. Eallett designed the properties, Mr. Barnard led the band, Mr. Dommet and Mrs. Curl made the costumes, and W. Wilson the wigs. From 1857 to 1864 the theatre was managed by Frederick Thomas Robson and William Samuel Emden. W.S. Emden was also Stage Manager, and Horace Wigan Stage Director. William Telbin managed the scenic department. Mr. Conway was Treasurer. In 1864 S. May and Mrs. Lewis made the costumes, Mr. Chapman was Machinist, M. Milano was Ballet Master, Mr. Clarkson was Perruquier and Mr. Lightfoot designed the properties. Between 1864 and 1866 Horace Wigan managed the Olympic Theatre. On 2 November 1864 the newly redecorated theatre opened to the public. The decorations had been completed by Leonard Collmann. At this time Mr. Hastings was Prompter, J.H. Tully was Musical Director, Hawes Craven was Scene Painter, Mr. Lightfoot was Property Maker, Mr. Chapman was Machinist, Mr. May and Mrs. Lewis were Costumiers, and Horace Wigan and Mr. Conway Stage Manager and Treasurer. In [1871?], under the management of William Henry Liston, Mrs. William Henry Liston was "Directress." |
| PICCADILLY THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN PIC 1 undated poster from the Piccadilly Theatre. |
The Piccadilly Theatre opened in 1928. From 1945 it was managed by Piccadilly Theatre Ltd. |
| PRINCESS'S THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN PRS 33 playbills from the Princess's Theatre, 1843-1871. |
The Princess's Theatre opened in 1840. It closed in 1902 and was demolished in 1931. From 1843-1850 J.M. Maddox was Manager. Mr. Walton was Stage Manager. In 1845 Henry Wallack was Stage Manager and Mr. Emden was Stage Director. By 1847 Mr. Walton was Assistant Acting Manager. From 1850-1852 Charles Kean and Robert Keeley shared the management of the theatre. In 1851 Mr. Emden was Acting Manager, G. Ellis was Stage Manager, R. Hughes was Musical Director, Mr. Flexmore was Ballet Master, and W. Gordon, F. Lloyds and Mr. Gray were Artists [see playbill no. 0596008]. In 1852 S. Lambert was Treasurer, Robert Stopel was Musical Director, and Oscar Byrn was Ballet Master [see playbill no. 0596004]. Charles Kean managed the theatre on his own from 1852 to 1859. In 1854 G. Ellis was Stage Manager, J.L. Hatton was Musical Director, Oscar Byrn was Ballet Master, S. Lambert was Treasurer, and B. Isaacson was Leader. Mr. Massingham was Box Office Keeper. From 1859-1862 Augustus Harris was Manager. George James Vining managed the theatre from 1863 to 1870. His Acting Manager in 1867 was T.L. Greenwood. From 1870-1873 Benjamin Webster was Lessee, and he and F.B. Chatterton were managers. W.C. Levey was Musical Director and J. Kinloch was Acting Manager and Treasurer. |
| PRINCES THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN PTS 1 poster from the Prince's Theatre, undated. |
The Prince's Theatre opened in 1911. It was later known as the Shaftesbury
Theatre. Walter and Frederick Melville managed the theatre from 1922 to 1934 and from 1936 to 1937. |
| QUEEN'S THEATRE, LONG ACRE UKC/POS/LDN QTL 1 playbill from the Queen's Theatre, Long Acre, 1870. |
The Queen's Theatre, Long Acre, opened in 1850 and closed in 1879. Edward John Young managed the theatre from 1869 until 1870. In March 1870 Mr. Ryder was Stage Manager and E. Clifton was Acting Manager. Mr. Schoening was Musical Director. |
| NEW ALBION THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN QTP 1 playbill from 1874 from the New Albion Theatre, Poplar, also known as the Queen's Theatre, Poplar. |
The theatre opened in 1856 and was re-named several times. Frederick Abrahams managed the theatre from 1863 to 1887. |
| RAGLAN MUSIC HALL, HOLBORN UKC/POS/LDN RAG 1 playbill from the Raglan Music Hall, Holborn, 1876. |
The theatre, also known as the Lord Raglan Music Hall and Public House, was
licensed from 1855 to 1878. Henry Hart managed the theatre from 1857 to 1877. |
| ROYAL COLOSSEUM, ALBANY STREET UKC/POS/LDN RCA 1 playbill from the Royal Colosseum, Albany Street. Undated. |
No information on this theatre as yet. |
| ROYAL [MUSIC HALL] UKC/POS/LDN RHE 1 playbill from the Royal [Music Hall], 1886 or 1887. |
The theatre opened in 1857 and was closed by bombing in 1941. It was demolished in
1961. William Thomas Purkiss and Samuel Adams managed the theatre from 1886 to 1890. |
| REGENT MUSIC HALL UKC/POS/LDN RMH 1 playbill from the Regent Music Hall, possibly from 1877. |
The Regent Music Hall was licensed from 1861 to 1879. William Plank Kesterton managed the music hall from 1875 to 1878. |
| [NEW]ROYALTY THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN ROY 2 playbills from the [New] Royalty Theatre, 1864-1870. |
The [New] Royalty Theatre opened in 1840 and closed in 1938. Thomas Pratt Mowbray was lessee of the theatre from 1860-1867 and in 1870. In 1864 J.G. Shore was Stage Manager and Mr. Mowbray was Acting Manager. The Misses Pelham were managers. Martha Oliver managed the theatre from 1867-1870. Her Acting Manager was still Mr. Mowbray and her stage manager was C. Wyndham. |
| SADLER'S WELLS UKC/POS/LDN SAD 29 playbills from Sadler's Wells, 1853-1861. |
Some of the playbills have 'Theatre Royal' before Sadler's Wells. The site first opened as a place of entertainment in 1683. In 1853 the theatre personnel [as noted on playbill no. 0595448] were as follows: Mr. Phelps, Stage Manager; T.L. Greenwood, Acting Manager; F. and C. Fenton, Scene Painters; Mr. Josephs, Assistant Stage Manager; W. Cawdery, Machinist; Mr. Harvey, Decorations and Properties; Miss Bailey, Costume Designer; and W. Montgomery, Musical Director. In 1854 J. Worrall was Acting Manager, and in 1857 Stage Manager. In 1860 Malone Raymond was Acting Manager, Charles S. James and C. Fenton were Scene Painters, S. May was Costume Designer, and Mr. Cohen was Musical Director. In May 1861 G.A. Webster was Manager, but in September of that year Mr. Phelps was Manager again, with Mr. Williams as his Assistant Stage Manager. |
| ROYAL WEST LONDON THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN SCA 5 playbills from the Royal West London Theatre/Queen's Theatre/Prince of Wales's Theatre; 1 from 1822, 1 from 1839, 1 from 1859, 1 from 1864, and 1 from 1865. |
Other names: This theatre was re-named a great many times during its lifetime (1772-1969). From 1820 until 1831 it was called the West London Theatre, and from 1831 until 1865 it alternated between being the Fitzroy Theatre and the Queen's Theatre. In 1905 it became the Scala Theatre. In 1839 it was called the Queen's Theatre and was managed by George WildCharles James James was Lessee of the theatre from 1843 to 1869, during which time the theatre was called the Queen's Theatre (1839-1865) and the Prince of Wales's Theatre (1865-1905). It was later named the Scala. In 1859 Charles Sennett was Stage Manager, and by 1864 he was managing the theatre. |
| In 1864 Herbert Masson was Leader of the Band, Mrs. Yaxley was Costumier, and Mr. Barrs was Machinist. In 1865 Charles James James was Acting Manager and F. Dewar was Stage Manager. | |
| SOUTH LONDON PALACE OF
VARIETIES UKC/POS/LDN SLP 1 playbill from the South London Palace [of Varieties], 1873. |
The South London Palace opened in 1860. Its former name was the South London Music Hall. From 1873 to 1880 it was managed by Henry Speedy and John Poole. |
| STANDARD THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN STD 16 playbills from the Standard Theatre, 1859-1904. |
The theatre opened in 1837 and was used as a cinema after 1926. It went through
several name changes. In 1859 the theatre was called the New Great National Standard Theatre. John Douglass was Manager from 1848-1861 and 1864-1874, and in 1859 he was also Stage Manager, with John Mordaunt as Prompter and Assistant Manager. From 1889 to 1896 Andrew Melville ran the theatre. Walter and Frederick Melville ran it together from 1904 to 1907. |
| ST.GEORGE'S HALL UKC/POS/LDN STG 1 playbill from St. George's Hall, 1872. |
St. George's Hall opened in 1867 and was destroyed by bombing during the second world war. |
| ST. JAMES THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN STJ 10 playbills from the St. James's Theatre, 1845-1868. |
From 1843 to 1854 (with a brief break in 1851) the St. James's Theatre was managed by
John Mitchell. Mrs. Laura Seymour is mentioned on bills from 1854 and 1855 as manager. In [1854] Mr. Redl was Conductor and Composer, Mr. Sanger was Assistant Stage Manager and Prompter, Messrs. Adams, Herbert and Fenoulhet were Scenic Artists, M. Claudel and Mrs. Clarke made the costumes, Mr. Cassidy was Machinist, Mr. Genesse was in charge of properties, and T. Mead was Stage Manager. Benjamin Webster managed the theatre for a brief period during 1864. J. Kinloch was his Acting Manager/Treasurer, F. Webster was Stage Director, and Mr. Hastings was Prompter. Miss Ruth Herbert managed the theatre from 1864 to 1868. In 1865 W.S. Emden was Acting Manager, Mr. Belton was Stage Manager, Frank Musgrave was Musical Director, and Mr. Milano was Ballet Master. Mrs. Curl designed costumes, John Lightfoot was in charge of properties and Mr. Mathews in charge of machinery. in 1867 George Ellis was Stage Manager and Acting Manager. |
| STRAND THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN STR 7 playbills from the Strand Theatre, 1837-1859. |
Other names: New Strand Theatre, 1838-1840, Strand Theatre, 1844, and Royal Strand Theatre, 1859. |
| The theatre opened in 1832. In 1840 Mr. Norman was Acting and Stage Manager. In 1844 Henry Ball Roberts was Manager, with H. Hall as Stage Manager. In 1859 Louisa Swanborough was Manager, with the rest of the theatre personnel being: W.H. Swanborough, Acting Manager; C. Melville, Stage Manager; Herr Wallerstein, Musical Director; J. Lauri, Ballet Master; A. Callcott and W. Broadfoot, Scenic Artists, and Edward Swanborough, Box Office Keeper.It was demolished in 1905 | |
| SURREY THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN SUR 6 playbills from the Surrey Theatre, 1832-1871. |
The Surrey Theatre opened in 1782 as the Royal Circus. It was used as a cinema from
1920-1924 and was demolished in 1934. Mr. Osbaldiston was manager of the Surrey Theatre in 1832. W. Wardell kept the box office. Mr. Davidge managed the theatre in 1835. His Acting Manager was R. Honner and his Stage Manager was C. Hill. In 1838 F. Webster was Prompter. In 1839 the Theatre was named Davidge's Royal Surrey Theatre. Edward Fisher Edgar managed the theatre in 1871. He was also Stage Manager. John W. Webster was Acting Manager and Treasurer, and Mr. Dalton was Stage Director. |
| ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS
UKC/POS/LDN SZG 1 playbill from 1846. |
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| TAVISTOCK HOUSE UKC/POS/LDN TAV 1 playbill from Tavistock House, "the smallest theatre in the world," 1855. |
Charles Dickens moved to Tavistock House in November 1851. In 1855 he held an amateur theatrical performance of "The lighthouse" by Wilkie Collins. |
| VICTORIA THEATRE/OLD VIC UKC/POS/LDN VIC 8 playbills: 1 from 1825, 1 from 1827, 1 from 1844, 1 from 1845, 1 from 1856, 1 from 1860, 1 from 1861, and 1 from 1866. |
Other names: The Victoria Theatre, later to be known as the Old Vic, opened in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre. |
| In 1827 Mr. Davidge was Manager of the theatre. From 1843 to 1851 David Webster Osbaldiston managed the theatre. Joseph Johnson Towers managed the theatre from 1855-1862. In 1856 Miss Vincent was Directress, J. Johnson Towers was Stage Manager, Mr. Mingaye was Leader and Composer, R. Mildenhall was Artist, Mr. Cohen was Assistant Stage Director, H. Young was Treasurer, Mr. Hinckley was Director of Gas, Charles Clarke was Box and Saloon Keeper, and H. Cohen was Bill Inspector. In 1861 some of the personnel are different: Frank Towers was Treasurer, T. Harris was Composer, and H. Rough was Machinist. I. Cohen had become Stage Director. Frederick Fenton and Frederick Frampton managed the theatre from 1862 to 1867. |
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| WINCHESTER MUSIC HALL UKC/POSPOS/LDN WMH 1 playbill, undated. |
The Winchester Music Hall probably opened in the 1830s. It closed in 1878. At the time of this playbill, F. Turner, Cashier, was taking his farewell complimentary benefit. The manager is not named. |
| WYNDHAM'S THEATRE UKC/POS/LDN WYN 1 playbill from Wyndham's Theatre, c. 1920. |
Wyndham's Theatre opened in 1899. Frank Curzon was Lessee from 1903 to 1927. |