The Carlton Theatre, 63-65 Haymarket, London (original) (raw)
Later - The Carlton Cinema / The Classic Cinema / Cineworld, Haymarket / The Cinema On The Haymarket / Empire Cinema
See also - Sixty Glorious Years Brochure from 1988
Above - A Google StreetView Image of the former Carlton Theatre / Empire Cinema, Haymarket in April 2023, shortly before it was closed for refurbishment - Click to Interact.
The Carlton Theatre opened on the 27th April 1927 with the successful musical play 'Lady Luck' by Frith Shephard which ran for 324 performances. The cast included Leslie Henson, Cyril Ritchard, Phyllis Monkman and Madge Elliot. The programme for this first production at the Carlton Theatre can be seen right.
Right - A Programme for 'Lady Luck', the first production at the newly opened Carlton Theatre, Haymarket. - Click to see entire programme.
The Theatre was built on former coaching stage land called Anglesea Yard and was only the second Theatre to be built in London after the First World War. The first was the Fortune.
The Carlton Theatre was designed by Frank T. Verity and S. Beverley and on its opening the Stage Newspaper reported on the new Theatre saying:- 'Italian and Spanish Renaissance details inspired the treatment of both the exterior and interior of the theatre.
The exterior is a good pyramidical composition, with excellent spacing and rhythm of voids, giving a sense of solidarity. The difficult graduations from plain wall to enriched tympanums are dexterously maintained, the fillings of these being beautifully disposed as regards light and shade.
Left - The Carlton Theatre, Haymarket from the opening night programme of 'Lady Luck'.
The auditorium walls are of gold scrumble, the lower part being in golden brown oak, while the boxes are in cream and grey, picked out in dull pinks and bands of wedgwood blue and white.' - The Stage 1927.
Above - The auditorium of the Carlton Theatre in 1927 - From a Brochure produced by Cannon Cinemas in 1988 to celebrate sixty years of the Carlton Theatre - Click to see the whole Brochure.
The Builder also reported on the opening of the new Carlton Theatre, along with some nice images which I have added below, in their April the 29th 1927 edition saying:- 'This theatre, which was opened on Wednesday last, and which we illustrate this week, is somewhat reminiscent in its foyer and lobbies of the work of the brothers Adam. The size of the site called for exceptional planning on the part of the architect, since vestibule, theatre, 49-foot stage and dressing-room block had all to be compressed into the site-depth.
Right - The Front Elevation of the Carlton Theatre, Haymarket, London as constructed in 1927 - From The Builder 29th April 1927.
A feature of the theatre is that it has no gallery. There is a royal dress circle, and above it the balcony tier, at the back of which is a parterre. The seating in all parts is luxurious, and a perfect view on to the stage can be obtained from any seat in the house. There are slightly under 1,200 seats, all of which are centred to the centre of the stage. The acoustics of the theatre are well-nigh perfect, it being possible to converse in normal-speaking tones from the top seat of the balcony to the stage.
A notable feature of this theatre is the ventilation. This has been carried out on a new system, the intakes being at the top and the exhausts being placed round the theatre at ground level. By this system it is possible, we believe, to control temperatures almost to a degree. There is also a most efficient refrigeration system. By means of these systems the normal temperatures and humidity may be maintained.
The stage lighting is novel and up to date. There is also a Schwabe cyclorama installation.
The decoration is rich, and designed for comfort. This is specially noticeable in the Royal Circle, where there are but four rows of seats - all deep and padded well - seats with 3 ft. 6 in. space between each row, thus ensuring adequate leg-room.
Left - The Auditorium of the Carlton Theatre, Haymarket, London as constructed in 1927 - From The Builder 29th April 1927.
The general treatment of foyers and vestibule is in pale gold flecked with silver, and this is carried on in the auditorium, which is panelled in dark oak colouring, giving added warmth and intimacy. The seating is in maroon, which provides relief to the pale cream stage-opening. There is an attractive and yet unostentatious frieze round the theatre, while the electric light chandeliers, wall-lights, etc., are the work of various French designers.
The theatre, as a whole, is a notable achievement in the combination of comfort, style and utility. Mr. Frank T. Verity, F.R.I.B.A., is the architect, in association with Mr. S. Beverley. They have received the co-operation of Major C. H. Bell, O.B.E., consulting engineer. A tribute to Messrs. Arthur Vigor, Ltd., of 25, Knightsbridge, S.W.1, who carried out the general contract, is the fact that the theatre was built in the record time of 12 months. Among the principal sub-contracts were:- Steelwork Moreland Hayne and Co., Ltd.; Stone Ham Hill and Doulting Stone Co.; Lifts: Waygood-Otis, Ltd.; Asphalte: F. Faldo and Co., Ltd.; Electrical Work: General Electric Co., Ltd., and Berkeley Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd.; Marble Work: Penning and Co., Ltd.; Interior Decorations: G. Jackson and Sons, Ltd.; Metal Lathing Expanded Metal Co., Ltd.; Wood Block Floors Acme Flooring and Paving Co., Ltd.; Concrete Staircases F. Bradford and Co., Ltd.; Air Conditioning Carrier Engineering Co., Ltd.; Fire Sprinklers: Mather and Platt, Ltd.; Vacuum Cleaners Sturtevant Engineering Co., Ltd.; Furnishing: Waring and Gillow, Ltd. ; Ironwork: Comyn, Ching and Co., Ltd.; Heating: Young, Austen and Young.' * Messrs. Allensor, Ltd., were the sub-contractors for the joinery, including that for the stage. * We understand that the stone carving to the front elevation of the Carlton Theatre, illustrated in our issue of April 29, was executed by Messrs. E. J. and A. T. Bradford, Sculptors and Craftsmen, of 62a, Boroughroad, S.E.1.
Above - The Entrance Foyer of the Carlton Theatre, Haymarket, London as constructed in 1927 - From The Builder 29th April 1927.
The above text in quotes and its accompanying images was first published in The Builder, April 29th 1927. * Two amendments to the contractors list at the end of the article were issued in following editions which I have added to the end of the text.
The ERA also reported on the new Carlton Theatre, in their 27th of April 1927 edition, saying:- 'The new theatre in the Haymarket will make playgoers even more dissatisfied with the old-fashioned type of theatre than they are at present. The Carlton shows that comfort and taste can be combined as felicitously as they are in the latest cinema theatres which, in style it closely resembles. The whole of the ground floor is devoted to 594 stalls, which will be sold at 12 6; there is a small Royal circle which many will vote the best seat in the house, and above there is another balcony which seats 424. In the top circle the "pit" patrons will be accommodated at 2 6.
Right - Images from 'Lady Luck', the first production at the Carlton Theatre - From the Illustrated sporting and Dramatic News, May 21st 1927.
All seats - every one of which is designed to suit the leg space required by a six-footer! - are bookable, although the cheaper tickets will only be sold on the day of the performance. The total seating capacity is 1,150, and there is a good view of the stage from every part of the theatre, as we had an opportunity of testing at a private view on Friday morning last. All the seats are centred to the middle of the stage.
It is a pleasure to walk into the auditorium of the Carlton, for the proportions are so fine. The style is based on various classical models adapted to modern ideas. The decorations are quiet and restful, for the walls are of a dull gold with wood panelling round the stalls. The architects, Mr. F. T. Verity and Mr. S. Beverley, have succeeded in giving an air of intimacy to what is really quite a big theatre. The stage is fairly large, with a proscenium opening of forty-two feet and the equipment is the last word on the subject. The Schwabe lighting system is in use, and we were given an example of the cloud effects that call be produced on the huge back cloth which can be wound up in less than a minute.
Perhaps the greatest feature of the new theatre is the wonderful ventilation system that has been installed. Major Bell, the engineer, claims that tie Carlton may be regarded as a health resort. By means of two engines, which take away the bad air through the floor and pumps fresh [air] at exactly the right temperature through the perforated ceiling, the atmosphere will be similar to that on the Brighton front.
Smoking in all parts of the house will be the rule at the Carlton, which opens to-night with the new musical comedy, "Lady Luck," with Mr. Leslie Henson, Mr. Laddie Cliff, and Miss Phyllis Monkman in the cast.'
The above text in quotes was first published in the ERA, 27th of April 1927.
Above - A Painting by George Richmond depicting the Auditorium and original Safety Curtain of the Carlton Theatre when it first opened in 1927 - Click for an Index to all of George Richmond's Paintings on this site.
As mentioned in the ERA report above, the first production at the newly opened Carlton Theatre in 1927 was 'Lady Luck', and this was eventually followed by 'The Yellow Mask' which was a musical comedy by Edgar Wallace. This production didn't stay long at the Carlton before it was transferred to His Majesty's Theatre and then the London Palladium, running for 218 performances altogether.
Right - A Programme for the musical comedy 'The Yellow Mask', the second production to be put on at the Carlton Theatre. In the cast were George Welford, Frank Adair, Reginald Tate, Wilfred Temple, David Hutcheson, Howard Huxtable, Sybil Wise, Bobby Howes, Winnie Collins, Frank Cochrane, Malcolm Keen, Phyllis Dare, Joch Findlay, Frank Adair, Phil Lester, and Mona Jenkins.
Left - A Film Programme for the Carlton Theatre in 1929. The main feature was the Paramount film 'The Four Feathers' but preceding this was a showing of 'Music of Many Nations' billed as 'A Paramount Novelty In Sound'. The comedy film 'Dear Teacher' followed this and then after a short interval there was a live stage presentation introducing the main feature 'The Four Feathers'. You got your money's worth in those days! See Programme details below.
After this a musical comedy called 'Good News' was put on at the Carlton, the song 'The Best Things in Life are Free' comes from this production. George Robey was in a review called 'In Other Words' in 1928 and then the last live production at the Carlton, before it went over to full time Cinema use, was 'Merry Merry' in February 1929, which transferred to the Lyceum in April the same year when the Carlton was wired for 'Talkies' and reopened with the Film 'The Perfect Alibi'.
Above - A Film Programme for the Carlton Theatre in 1929. The main feature was the Paramount film 'The Four Feathers' but preceding this was a showing of 'Music of Many Nations' billed as 'A Paramount Novelty In Sound'. The comedy film 'Dear Teacher' followed this and then after a short interval there was a live stage presentation introducing the main feature 'The Four Feathers'. You got your money's worth in those days!
Above - An Advertisement for the Marx Brothers' film 'Animal Crackers' at the Carlton Theatre, Haymarket in 1930 - From 'The Bioscope', November 1930.
Above - Stills from the Marx Brothers' film 'Monkey Business' which was shown at the Carlton Theatre, Haymarket in September 1931 - From 'The Bioscope', September 1931.
Right from the beginning the Carlton Theatre was designed for both Cinema and Theatre use and was fitted with a large and fully equipped stage. But as detailed above the Theatre was soon being used for full time Cinema when Live Theatre finished in 1929.
Right - A Section of the auditorium ceiling and one of the original chandeliers of the Carlton Theatre, still visible in 2008 - Photo M.L.
The auditorium consisted of three levels, stalls, royal circle, and balcony, and on the Theatre's opening it could accommodate 1,150 as a Theatre and 1,159 as a cinema.
Above - A Seating Plan for the Carlton Theatre, Haymarket - From 'Who's Who in the Theatre' published in 1930 - Courtesy Martin Clark. Click to see more Seating Plans from this publication.
The ceiling of the auditorium was a lattice of beams which cleverly hid ventilation and can still be seen today in the Cinema's number one screen.
_
_The foyer and dress circle bar were also of note and have been mostly preserved despite years of cinema use.
Right - A Cinema programme for Noel Coward's 'Bitter Sweet' at the Carlton Theatre in 1933.
Left - An advertisement for 'Gulliver's Travels' at the Carlton Theatre from a programme for 'The light that failed' at the Plaza Theatre on the 12th of January 1939 - Courtesy Hugh McCullough of CinePhoto.co.uk.
The basement of the Cinema still houses a large room which was originally a bar and restaurant called the 'Soda Fountain,' and this sill retains its Art Deco features such as mirrored walls and the original wooden paneled bar but sadly this is now used as a store room.
Although the Carlton had been used mostly for the showing of films since 1929 it was occasionally used to stage live productions. The last time the Theatre was used in it's original guise as a live Theatre was for a production of 'The Anthony Newly Show' in March of 1960. This was a variety show followed by a showing of the film 'Lets Get Married,' which also starred Anthony Newley.
Above - An Advertisement for the 4th week of the screening of Marlene Dietrich in 'Dishonoured' at the Carlton Theatre in 1931 - From 'The Bioscope' July 1931.
Above - An Advertisement for the 3rd week of the screening of Maurice Chevalier in 'The Smiling Lieutennt' at the Carlton Theatre in 1931 - From 'The Bioscope' August 1931.
The Carlton Cinema, as it was known by the 1970s, finally closed in August 1977 and plans were put forward by Twentieth Century Fox to demolish the Stage House and convert the old Theatre into a Three Screen Cinema.
The Campaigning Group 'Save London's Theatres' fought long and hard to save the Theatre from its imminent destruction but were sadly unsuccessful, an article in the Stage Newspaper reported on their hopes to save the Theatre in their 15th of September 1977 edition, shown right.
Right - Hopes to save the Carlton Theatre from being split into a 3 screen Cinema - From the Stage Newspaper, 15th of September 1977.
Sadly the Theatre's fate was sealed, a great shame as today it would probably have been a useful addition to London's West End Theatres where there never seems to be enough Theatres for all the shows that want to come in.
The Carlton Theatre was consequently partly demolished. The stage house was completely removed and the land sold off for the building of an office block on its site called Samuel House, see image below left.
The Carlton's auditorium was then split into three smaller cinemas and reopened by Classic Cinemas in 1979 showing 'Capricorn One' in each of its three new screens. The number one screen was sited in the former balcony of the Theatre which was extended down to the proscenium wall, and today seats 491, but still retains the original Theatre's Art Deco features.
The other two screens were situated in the original Stalls of the Theatre with a wall running down the middle separating the two cinemas, which today seat 201 and 222.
Left - Samuel House, the office building which was constructed on the site of the former stage house of the Carlton Theatre in 1977 - Photo M.L. 08.
On July the 25th 1985 a major fire almost completely destroyed the foyer of the Theatre, luckily the Cinema's three auditoria suffered only smoke damage, but the foyer had to be completely restored by the then owners Cannon Cinemas. There is more information on this,and the history of the building with many archive images, in Cannon Cinema's 'Sixty Glorious Years' Brochure of 1988 which you can read here.
The former Carlton Theatre back in live theatre use with 'Brief Encounter' in 2008
Above - The former Carlton Theatre, Haymarket in February 2008, whilst home to a live version of Noel Coward's 'Brief Encounter' in its temporarily converted number one Cinema - Photo M.L.
Ironically, in February 2008, the Cinema was back in use again as a live Theatre. The two smaller screens in the former Stalls of the Theatre were temporarily mothballed, and, because the stage house was demolished in 1977, a new stage was built to accommodate live performances, this time at the front of the number one Cinema, which is in the former Balcony of the original Theatre. Live performances of 'Brief Encounter' by the Kneehigh Theatre Company began previewing there on the 2nd of February 2008.
The play was a mixture of live action and film footage, and to recreate the Cinema experience of the 1940s the Theatre itself boasted ushers and usherettes in period costume carrying trays of ice cream and Champaign, whilst the foyers and bars were decked out with balloons. The play also included many of Noel Coward's songs and some of his poems set to music, and was highly successful right up to the end of its season at the former Carlton Theatre in November 2008.
Above - The Cineworld Cinema Haymarket's number one Cinema situated in the old Carlton Theatre's Balcony, which in 2008 was temporarily converted for live Theatre use by the Kneehigh Theatre Company for their production of Noel Coward's 'Brief Encounter.' - Photo M.L.
Above - The Foyer of the Cineworld Cinema Haymarket, previously the Carlton Theatre, which in 2008 was temporarily converted back to live Theatre use by the Kneehigh Theatre Company for their production of Noel Coward's 'Brief Encounter.' - Photo M.L.
Brief Encounter began life as a one act play called 'Still Life,' and was just one of a series of one act plays put on by Noel Coward at the Phoenix Theatre in 1936 and collectively called 'To-Night At 8.30.'
Right - A Programme for 'To-Night at 8.30' at the Phoenix Theatre in 1936. - Click for more information on this and the Phoenix Theatre.
Still Life was then made into a film, directed by David Lean, the now classic 'Brief Encounter' with Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, which opened on the 26th of November 1945 at the New Gallery in Regent Street, which was later converted into a Habitat store.
A live musical version of the play then followed in 1968 called 'Mr and Mrs' at the Palace Theatre but this was a flop and closed after only 44 performances. A new film version opened in 1974 with Richard Burton and Sofia Loren but it too failed to impress.
When 'Brief Encounter' closed at the Carlton Theatre in November 2008 the building was put back to use as a full time Cinema again, and the former Theatre would later be renamed the Cineworld Haymarket, see image below.
Above - The former Carlton Theatre, Haymarket, when in use as a 'Cineworld' Cinema in 2006 - Photo M. L.
The former Carlton Theatre was renamed the Empire Cinema London Haymarket in April 2017, after the Empire Leicester Square had been taken over by Cineworld in July 2016, and the Theatre was designated a Grade II Listed Building by English Heritage on the 17th of October 2018. In the Spring of 2020 an application for alterations to the building were approved by Westminster Council. The works were to include, as quoted in the planning documents:- 'External alterations including the reinstatement of original entrance design, replacement of entrance doors, reprofiling of steps and creation of accessible access.
Internal alterations also included 'conversion of two existing auditoria at basement level into four smaller auditoria, seating upgrade in main auditorium, with reprofiling of the stadia, refurbishment of basement bar area, introduction of disabled access and provision of accessible washrooms, refurbishment of existing toilets at mezzanine levels, and other associated works.'
Left - The now rebuilt Samuel House which stands on the site of the Stage House of the former Carlton Theatre today - Photo M.L. October 2023.
At the same time Samuel House, which was built on the site of the Carlton's former Stage House, was to be rebuilt to fit in with the many new buildings which surround the area today, and this has now been achieved, see image Left, the access doors shown in the image are exits from the Cinema.
I'm told that in April 2023 Crown Estates who own the building announced that they were going to demolish the former Theatre and turn the site into a shopping Precinct but these plans have now been changed thankfully and the original plans for refurbishment have been reinstated. Cineworld however, announced they would close the Cinema on the 11th of May 2023.
Right - The Former Carlton Theatre / Empire Cinema, Haymarket in October 2023, closed and boarded up and awaiting restoration - Photo M.L.
Included in the refurbishment now is the plan to remove the lightbox signage on the front of the former Theatre and clean and rebuild the facade, and to add two stories above the Theatre, I imagine that this is because the roof line will then be closer to the height of the two new buildings which will be replacing the current ones either side of the former Theatre. This whole project is being carried out by 'Make' whose own website on what is called 'St. James's Market, Phase 2' can be found here, where they say of the former Carlton Theatre: 'This building will be retained in totality, with its Portland stone facade and slate roof fully rebuilt and topped by two new stories of traditional mansard.' The image they show of the front of the building on their website however, doesn't show the extra stories above the former Theatre but the facade looks to be much more like how it was originally built which can only be a good thing. An image showing the Theatre from above shows the extra stories are set back and don't seem to detract from the look of the building from the front.
Above - The St. James's Market Phase Two Planning Newsletter detailing the alterations to the 2020 approved plans for the area that the Crown Estate is hoping to submit and have approved, which was posted onto the front of the former Carlton Theatre / Empire Cinema, Haymarket when I visited it in October 2023.
When all this will be achieved and when the Cinema will reopen and who will run it is currently unknown but I imagine it is all going to take several years. I think it's a great shame however, that they couldn't have rebuilt the Theatre's Stage House whilst they were doing all this and return the Carlton to its former use as one of the West End's major live Theatres.
You may also be interested in seeing the Cannon Cinema's brochure from 1988 called 'Sixty Glorious Years of the Carlton Theatre' here.