The Original Shaftesbury Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London
See also - The Present Shaftesbury Theatre
Above - A Sketch of the original Shaftesbury Theatre, London From the Pall Mall Gazette 1888
The
original Shaftesbury Theatre was built on the newly constructed Shaftesbury
Avenue in 1888, incidentally
on a plot of land which had been the original trading place of the well
known firm of Crosse and Blackwell in 1806.
Right - A pre 1907 seating plan for the original Shaftesbury Theatre - Click to Enlarge. And The opening programme for 'As You Like It' at the Shaftesbury Theatre on the 20th of October 1888, cast details and review below.
The foundation stone for the Shaftesbury Theatre, which was built for John Lancaster, was laid by his wife, the actress Miss Wallis, on February the 2nd 1888. The Theatre was designed by the well known Theatre Architect C. J. Phipps and opened ten months later with a production of 'As you like it' on Saturday the 20th of October 1888. The Theatre had a capacity of 1,800 and a very square stage of 28' 6" wide by 28' 6" deep.
This first Shaftesbury Theatre should not be confused with the Present Shaftesbury Theatre which is further up Shaftesbury Avenue today.
The day before the first Shaftesbury Theatre opened the building was inspected by a Daily News reporter who printed a report of what he saw in the paper's 19th of October edition saying: 'The latest of our London playhouses, the Shaftesbury - unless, indeed, Mr. Hare's theatre, the "Garrick," and Mr. Leslie's new house, the Lyric, both in the same neighbourhood, maybe considered as still later from the fact that they are not yet finished - was yesterday inspected by a especially-invited gathering of ladies and gentlemen preparatory to the opening, which is announced to take place to-morrow.
The Shaftesbury Theatre is a conspicuous ornament to the broad, new thoroughfare of the same name which affords so ready a means of communication between Piccadilly-circus and New Oxford-street. It is a fine square building of red brick and stone in the Italian style, with a loggia on the first floor, in front of which are a row of massive stone columns. It has been built for Mr. John Lancaster by Mr. C, J. Phipps, who is already responsible in London alone for the Gaiety, the Haymarket, the Savoy, and the Prince of Wales's.
In
its internal arrangements the new theatre presents points of resemblance
to the two last-named houses. Thus the staircases are of marble and,
the floorings of mosaic-work as at the Prince of
Wales's, and the balcony, which, like all balconies nowadays, is
projected over the pit, has a pleasant lounge at the back, with which
it is only connected by doorways and a window here and there, from which
a view of the stage and the interior generally is obtained.
Left - The Original Shaftesbury Theatre, from a period photograph.
In one respect, however, the Shaftesbury is utmost unrivaled, and that
is on the convenience of its situation. The building is entirely isolated
from surrounding property, and has entrances and exits in four thoroughfares
- Shaftesbury avenue, Nassau-street, Garrard-street, and Greek-street.
There is therefore reason to believe that the management only state
a fact when they claim that it is one of the safest houses, if not the
safest, in existance, in view of the risk of fire. The total number
of doorways is eighteen, of which thirteen are for the use of the public
and five for the members of the company engaged. Then again, the stage
can be completely isolated from the rest of the building at a minute's
notice by an iron curtain, which, however, could hardly be distinguished
from an ordinary stuff curtain owing to its being carefully painted
a dark blue colour to match the coverings of the seats.
Right - A Plan of the First Tier of the Shaftesbury Theatre - From 'Modern Opera Houses and Theatres' by Edwin O Sachs, Published 1896-1898, and held at the Library of the Technical University (TU) in Delft - Kindly sent in by John Otto.
For the present gas is employed for lighting, a flat sunlight close to the ceiling being the principal illuminant, but it is intended to supersede this entirely with the electric light as soon as the necessary installation can he got ready. The general effect of the interior is pleasing, the brown plush hangings lined with salmon-coloured silk, and the ornamentations in French gray and gold being in excellent taste, More important still, the seats have been so arranged that a full view of the stage can be obtained from any point. A full audience will consist of about 1,800 persons, which, at the usual prices, probably means receipts amounting to about 2001. Thus it will be seen that while presenting an imposing appearance with its handsome exterior and ample halls and corridors, the Shaftesbury will not rank among our largest theatres.
Everything
may be said to be in readiness for the opening, although here and there
workmen were yesterday to be seen, as is usual in such cases almost
to the last minute, putting finishing touches here and there. That no
time has been lost may be inferred from the marble inscription near
the dressing-rooms recording the fact that the foundation-stone was
laid by Miss Wallis (Mrs. Lancaster) on February 2nd of this year.
Left - The Original Shaftesbury Theatre during the production of 'The Prince Of Pilsen' - Detail from a postcard for the Palace Theatre.
The performance to-morrow evening will consist of Shakespeare's "As You Like It," in which Miss Wallis will play Rosalind, new scenery having been designed and painted by Mr. Henry Emden for this revival. Among the other performers who are to appear here are Mr. Forbes Robertson, Mr. Arthur Stirling, Mr. J. R. Crauford, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. J. C. Buckstone, and Mrs. Edward Saker, The announcement of Mr. W. H. Stephens as the representative of old Adam is a sad reminder of the recent death of this valuable actor.' The Daily News 19th of October 1888.
The opening night production of 'As You Like It' seems to have been a rather unsuccessful choice and was not very well received but the Theatre itself was more pleasing. Two days after the Theatre opened the Pall Mall Gazette printed an extensive review of the opening night production of 'As You Like It' and a small review of the building itself, accompanied by a sketch (shown top of page) in their 22nd of October edition which can be seen below.
THE SHAFTESBURY - LONDON'S NEWEST THEATRE
From the Pall Mall Gazette 22nd of October 1888
LONDON'S latest theatre was opened on Saturday night with great eclat. The pittites were propitious, the terrible Mr. Scott evoked not a sign of sibillation, in fact, everybody, even the grim critics and the frivolous flaneurs, was in high good humour, and Miss Wallis must have been greatly delighted with the enthusiasm which greeted her carefully elaborated and agreeable impersonation of Rosalind. Taken as a whole, the production seemed to lack the presence of a "guiding hand and directing brain," but the most exacting critic would stay his hand in awarding praise and blame on such an occasion as this formidable ordeal...
Above - Cast Details from the opening programme for 'As You Like It' at the Shaftesbury Theatre on the 20th of October 1888. In the cast were Mr. J. R. Crauford, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Herbert Basing, Mr. Seymour Jackson, Mr. Arthur Stirling, Mr. C. Arnold, Mr. John Buckstone, Mr. Arthur Fenwicke, Mr. Charles Cooper, Mr. George Seldon, Mr. Forbes Robertson, Mr. William Farren, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Allen Thomas, Mr. Matthew Brodie, Mr. Sidney Harcourt, Miss Felix, Miss Lamballe, Miss Wallis (Mrs. Lancaster), Miss Annie Rose (Mrs. Horace Nevill), Miss Kate Fayne, and Mrs. Edward Saker.
...In the earlier scenes Miss Wallis seemed ill at ease, and no wonder,
London's latest theatre boasts that it is isolated. But even isolation
has its inconveniences. In the middle of a most poetic passage the braying
of what must have been a Salvation Army band filled the theatre, and
disconcerted the performers. There were other unseemly interruptions
too, which are notable, because they were the only hisses that were
heard on this memorable occasion. We refer to the voices of some turbulent
steam pipes which had evidently been celebrating the event too freely,
or were out on the loose for a Saturday night frolic.
Right - A Programme for 'The Belle of New York' at the Shaftesbury Theatre on April the 12th 1898, just ten years after the Theatre opened - Click to see entire programme.
In
view of these little hitches it is not surprising that the opening scenes
went slowly and without spirit. Nervousness and over anxiety had of
course much to answer for. The later scenes Miss Wallis played with
charming vivacity. The audience was certainly very well pleased with
the production, which was well mounted, but without the obtrusion of
that lavishness which is looked for in an age when Shakespeare means
spectacle.
Left - A Programme for 'Oh! Oh! Delphine!!!' at the original Shaftesbury Theatre on the 18th of February 1913.
The dresses were handsome and the scenery very pretty. Who is Mr. Emden's authority for Adam's residence on the Boys estate, which quite startled a certain lauded proprietor, who assured us that it must have been painted from one of his model cottages in Surrey Miss Wallis was supported; by Mr. Forbes Robertson, who made an interesting and picturesque Orlando. Mr. Stirling poured out his melancholy in magnums, and Mr. Mackintosh (who was said to be suffering from a severe cold) was a rather doleful Touchstone. Miss Annie Rose made a pretty Celia. What becomes of gentlemen who play the wrestler in revivals of "As You Like It "?
On
Saturday, a Mr. Fenwicke officiated - a gentleman with magnificent muscles
and terrible torso, towering head and shoulders over Mr. Robertson.
The contest was conducted with a realism which caused it to be watched
with an interest as keen as if Sullivan and Jet Smith had been having
a set-to.
Right - A Programme for 'Promise' at the original Shaftesbury Theatre in 1936.
We
give here a view of the theatre. The auditorium is well arranged, commodious,
and tastefully decorated. The hangings are brown plush, lined with salmon
silk, the colour of the decorations being light French grey and gold.
The theatre will hold about 1,800 people, and at present is lighted
by gas, electricity being projected in the near future. Mr.
Phipps is the architect, and he has taken care that the theatre
shall be isolated, the site being surrounded by Shaftesbury avenue,
Nassau, Gerrard, and Greek streets.
Left - A Programme for 'Goodbye Mr. Chips' at the original Shaftesbury Theatre in 1938 - Kindly Donated by Clive Crayfourd. The cast included Leslie Banks and Constance Cummings and the show ran for 132 performances.
It is stated that access and egress for the public are provided by thirteen doorways, while the stage has five doors. On Saturday night the iron curtain was very much in evidence, and received an ovation. The theatre is sure to prove a welcome addition to the playhouses of the metropolis. It is readily accessible from the heart of London, it is sumptuously equipped with all the luxuries which the modern playgoer loves, and Mr. Phipps vouches for its safety. - The Pall Mall Gazette, 22nd October 1888.
The Shaftesbury Theatre opened with a production of 'As you like it' on Saturday the 20th of October 1888 but there were some issues with the building and just twenty years later it would be the subject of major alterations, this time by the architect Frank Tugwell. The ERA reported on the changes in their 24th of April 1909 edition saying:- 'Mr. Robert Courtneidge has been having extensive structural alterations carried out at the Shaftesbury Theatre. In the main entrance many important changes have been made, and the dress circle, formerly at the head of a single flight of midway stairs, is now approached by two flights of marble steps giving entrance to a vestibule of oak and clear bevelled plate glass, which screens off the circle with a pair of double doors on either side. By the adoption of this improvement it has been possible to remove altogether the high corridor wall which formerly shut in the back of the circle, rendering it extremely oppressive in the summer.
By the introduction of the cantilever principle into the auditorium, and the abolition of the many pillars, which were a source of considerably inconvenience, enhanced comfort and a sense of increased spaciousness have been created. The box fronts, formerly straight and highly inconvenient for purposes of viewing the stage, have been brought forward into graceful curves, and entirely remodelled in fibrous plaster.
A complete and elaborate system of heating has been installed, which may be delicately regulated. The fixing of screen doors in the stalls corridors will be a welcome innovation.
The decorations throughout the house are carried out in cream and gold, with a new shade of rose for the seating, the curtains, the carpets, and the walls, and in addition to the re-seating of the stalls and circle, the whole of the upper circle has been refurnished with new tip-up chairs.
The stalls bar has been so altered as to afford increased room and greater comfort, and improvement has been made in similar departments throughout the house. The bars, as well as the other services of the theatre, will be under Mr. Courtneidge's own control. The work, commenced on March 1, 1909, has been carried out by Mr. Frank A. Tugwell, architect.'
The above text in quotes was first published in the ERA, 24th of April 1909.
Above - A Seating Plan for the Shaftesbury Theatre - From 'Who's Who in the Theatre' published in 1930 - Courtesy Martin Clark. Click to see more Seating Plans from this publication.
One of the most successful plays at the Shaftesbury was in 1922 when it became home to the premier of 'Tons of Money'. This was written by Will Evans and Arthur Valentine and subsequently transferred to the Aldwych Theatre where it became the first of a series of successful farces.
The Shaftesbury Theatre was bombed and destroyed during
the second world war on the 17th of April 1941. There is more information
on the destruction of the Theatre at the West End at War Website here and here.
The site subsequently stood empty for many years until a Fire Station was eventually built on the site in 1983.
Right - The Fire Station which was built on the site of the original Shaftesbury Theatre - Photo M.L. 2004.
The Princes Theatre, further up Shaftesbury Avenue, which was built in 1911, was renamed the Shaftesbury Theatre on the 28th of March 1963.
If you have any more information or images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact me.
Archive newspaper reports on this page were collated and kindly sent in for inclusion by B.F.
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