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© Mr Stephen Hodgson
IoE Number:
210129
Location:
HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE, HAYMARKET SW1
WESTMINSTER, CITY OF WESTMINSTER, GREATER LONDON
Photographer:
Mr Stephen Hodgson
Date Photographed:
24 August 2001
Date listed:
14 January 1970
Date of last amendment:
14 January 1970
Grade
II*
The Images of England website consists of images of listed buildings based on the statutory list as it was in 2001 and does not incorporate subsequent amendments to the list. For the statutory list and information on the current listed status of individual buildings please go to The National Heritage List for England.
TQ 2980 SE CITY OF WESTMINSTER HAYMARKET, SWl
82/17
14.1.70 Her Majesty's Theatre
G.V. II*
Theatre. 1896-97 rebuild by C.J. Phipps for the great actor-manager
Sir H Beerbohm Tree whose consulting architect Romaine Walker devised the
interior decoration. Stone faced with leaded and slate roofs. The
remaining pavilion portion of a large symmetrical design (incorporating the
now demolished Carlton Hotel) in a French Renaissance inspired style with
big pavilion roof and dome combined with more Italianate detailing at attic
level. 4 storeys, attic storey and half dormers. 9 windows wide with a 3
window return to Charles II Street continued in a long recessed 5 storey
side elevation. Ground floor range of foyer, saloon and balcony doorways,
between piers to 5 bay centrepiece, the outer doorways architraved with
framed bay lights over, all under elegant glass and iron canopy. The 1st
and 2nd floors, with giant pilaster order, the 5 centre piece advanced with
a giant Corinthian colonnade forming a loggia in front of the architraved
and corniced windows. On the 4th floor the 5 central bays are flanked by
pairs of elaborately pedimented half dormers below the French mansard roof
whilst over the centrepiece rises a square attic carrying a massive square
French dome astride the roof surmounted by a slender octagonal lantern with
a spreading gallery. Interior has wainscotted foyer with Ionic pilaster
order and beamed ceiling with deeply recessed coffers above rich frieze.
The auditorium with fanned stalls, cantilevered balconies and gallery has
opulent but refined French neo classical theme inspired by Gabriel and
DeWailly's Opera at Versailles with scagliola proscenium flanked by 3 tier
boxes set between scagliola Corinthian columns; the curving side walls of
the auditorium modelled as blind arcading with paired Corinthian pilasters;
enriched cornice to main ceiling with large saucer dome etc. This
extremely well planned theatre was Phipps's last work. Beerbohm Tree had
the dome fitted up with a banqueting hall and living room as his home
during his brilliant management of the theatre from 1897 till his death in
1917. Her Majesty's is the fourth royal patent theatre on this site since
Vanburgh's building of 1704-5; for the Royal Opera Arcade see under that
name.
Survey of London; Vol. XXIX.
The Theatres of London; Mander and Mitcheson.