The Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London (original) (raw)
Formerly - The New Princes Theatre / The Prince's Theatre
See also - The Original Shaftesbury Theatre
Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre during the run of 'Mrs Doubtfire' in July 2024 - Photo M.L.
The present day Shaftesbury Theatre, at 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, Holborn, originally opened as the New Princes Theatre on the 26th December 1911 with a production of 'The Three Musketeers.
Quick Facts
The Theatre was designed by the well known Theatre Architect Bertie Crewe, and constructed by J. Parkinson & Sons Ltd., of Blackpool. On the Theatre's opening it had a capacity of 2,392 and a stage 31' 10" wide by 31' deep.
The Princes Theatre, now the Shaftesbury, was the last Theatre to be opened on Shaftesbury Avenue and should not be confused with the earlier, and now demolished, original Shaftesbury Theatre further down the road.
Above - The Auditorium and Stage of the Princes Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, now the Shaftesbury Theatre - From the Academy Architecture and Architectural review 1912.
A few days before the Theatre opened the ERA reported on the new building in their 23rd of December 1911 edition saying:- 'The new house has three frontages, which enable the house to be cleared in a few minutes. Externally an example of Modern Renaissance, internally the house is eclectical French in its decorations. Above the main entrance, at the corner, rises an elegant tower. The interior decoration is in cream and gold, with side panels in autumnal tints, and groups of statuary over the boxes. The saucer-domed ceiling is ornamented with symbolic groups representing 'The Light of the World,' 'Endeavour,' 'Love,' 'The Crowning Success,' and 'The Torch of Destiny,' and four life-size groups which surmount the boxes are emblematic of Comedy, Tragedy, Poetry, and Music.
Right - A Programme for 'Woman and Wine' at the New Princes Theatre 1912, see inside the programme below.
The ten boxes are parted by Ionic columns, with figured drums fluted and enriched; and bas-relief groups adorn the proscenium arch. The crimson velvet of the upholstery goes well with the rose and white marbles, the alabaster, and the gold mosaic of the walls. The New Princes is a two-tier theatre, and each tier has its own saloon adorned with oak panelling, wrought iron fittings and tapestries...
Above - A Painting by George Richmond depicting the Auditorium and Stage of Bertie Crewe's 1911 Princes Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, now the Shaftesbury Theatre. George says 'The Painting is based on the black and white photo on this page but completing the boxes on the left to balance the image. The colours used are those suggested in the contemporary article on this page' - Click for an Index to all of George Richmond's Paintings on this site.
... The Stalls saloon is Elizabethan, the circle saloon Jacobean. A central ring of electric lights is suspended from the ceiling of the auditorium, supplemented by four large wrought brass chandeliers. The arrangements for heating and ventilating by the 'Plenum' system of forced air will ensure a gradual change of atmosphere six times an hour.'
The above text in quotes was first published in The ERA 23rd December, 1911.
Above - The Princes Theatre, later to become the Shaftesbury Theatre, during the run of 'Wonderful Town' in 1955.
Above - Details from a Programme for 'Woman and Wine' at the New Princes Theatre in 1912.
Above - A Seating Plan for the Prince's Theatre - From 'Who's Who in the Theatre' published in 1930 - Courtesy Martin Clark. Click to see more Seating Plans from this publication.
The Theatre had the 'New' removed from its name in 1914 when it became simply the Prince's Theatre. There is more on the Prince's Theatre period in an article by Ronald Mayes below.
The Theatre was renamed again in 1963, this time to the Shaftesbury Theatre which remains today. (This should not to be confused with the original Shaftesbury Theatre which was situated on Shaftesbury Avenue opposite the Palace Theatre from 1888 until it was destroyed by a bomb on on the 17th of April 1941.)
Right - The Shaftesbury Theatre in September 2005 during the run of 'Far Pavilions.' Photo M.L.
The Prince's Theatre was renovated at a cost of £125,000 before its reopening as the Shaftesbury Theatre with a production of Frank Loesser's new musical 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' on the 28th of March 1963, see the Stage Newspaper Article below.
Above - An article on the refurbishment of the Prince's Theatre and its change of name to the Shaftesbury Theatre - From The Stage Newspaper, 28th March 1963.
Ten years later, on the 20th of July 1973, and during the very successful run of 'Hair', which had first opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in September 1968, part of the ceiling collapsed overnight and forced the sudden closure of the show and the Theatre itself.
Left - The Shaftesbury Theatre during the run of 'Hair' in the late 1960s - Courtesy Piers Caunter.
'Hair' was about to celebrate it's 2,000th performance the next day but was cut short by the extensive damage to the Theatre's auditorium. The Robert Stigwood produced show would subsequently transfer to Her Majesty's Theatre the following year.
After the ceiling collapse the Theatre looked like it was to be closed for good and demolished, but thankfully it was saved by Listing and the endeavours of the Save London's Theatres Campaign who fought long and hard for its survival. The Theatre was refurbished and reopened with a production of 'West Side Story' in 1974.
Above - A 1970s Seating Plan for the Shaftesbury Theatre
In July 2015 major work by Bennettes Associates Architects was begun, this involved extending and strengthening the Grid and increasing the load capacity from 12 to over 30 tonnes, so that larger productions could be accommodated. At the same time the west side of the extension incorporates new dressing rooms and office accommodation. Other recent refurbishments to the Theatre included reconfiguring the auditorium, adding air conditioning, providing larger FOH public spaces and toilet facilities, and improving accessibility. A new space in front of the Theatre has recently been completed by Camden Council making the front of the Theatre a far more pleasant place to congregate than before.
Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre during work to extend the Fly Tower and strengthen its Grid in September 2015.
Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre during the run of 'Motown' and after completion of the Theatre's unusual grid extension in May 2016.
Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre after work to extend the Fly Tower and strengthen its Grid had been completed in May 2016.
The Shaftesbury Theatre is a Grade II Listed Building and is currently owned and run by DLT Entertainment Ltd. You may like to visit the Theatre's own website here. An article on the Theatre's earlier period as the Prince's Theatre can be seen below. And some images of the Theatre more recently can be seen directly below.
Some Photographs of the Shaftesbury Theatre during various productions
Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre during the run of 'High Society' in 2005 - Photo M.L. 05.
Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre during the run of 'Hairspray' in November 2007 - Photo M.L.
Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre during production work on the musical 'Rock of Ages' in August 2011.
Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre during production for the musical 'Pajama Game' in April 2014 - Photo M. L.
Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre during the run of 'Memphis The Musical' in October 2014 - Photo M. L.
The Romance of London Theatres
By Ronald Mayes
No. 42. The Princes'
THE New Princes' Theatre was opened as recently as 1911. The proprietors, the brothers Walter and Frederick Melville opened it with a revival of "The Three Musketeers," which had been transferred from the Lyceum. The theatre is situated in a very convenient position in Shaftesbury Avenue, near the new Oxford Street end, and is the theatre which suffered in the great gas explosions which took place recently in the district. During the early days the theatre appears to have been closed for a number of varying periods.
Despite the fact that the house is very modern, it has been made famous by its productions, and especially for the season of Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
In the autumn of 1919, during an eighteen weeks' season, nearly every Gilbert and Sullivan opera was played at this theatre. The house has nearly twice the seating capacity of the Savoy theatre, the cradle of the Savoy Opera, and immediately the season was announced, £30,000 poured into the box office for advance bookings. The productions given during the season were entirely redressed from new designs. Rutland Barrington and Jessie Bond, of the old company, who had come to the Princes' to view the performances, were quickly recognised in their boxes by many of the audience.
Seymour Hicks was the lessee of the house in 1917, and produced, with Ellaline Teriss, "Good News," a comedy at which France had laughed for over a year. Shortly afterwards Charles B. Cochran staged "Columbine," by Compton Mackenzie, the play being founded on his novel "Carnival."
In 1920 "The Man who Came Back" was transferred from the Oxford to this theatre, and ran for 106 performances. The following year, prior to another D'Oyly Carte season, "The Knave of Diamonds" ran successfully for 185 performances.
Left - Early Programme for the Pantomime 'Cinderella' with Stanley Lupino as 'Buttons' at the Princes Theatre.
The next season of Savoy Operas, which commenced in October 1921, ran on and concluded on April the 8th the following year. Once again the old popular favourites were given and received with tremendous enthusiasm. Late in 1922 a Guitry season of French plays was given.
Right - Programme for 'Pal Joey' with Richard France and Arthur Lowe at the Princes Theatre in 1954.
Towards the end of 1923, "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" commenced, and ran for 130 performances, and this was followed by another season of Savoy operas.
"White Cargo," one of the principal plays of 1925, was transferred from the Fortune Theatre to the Princes. Franklyn Dyall was the actor who made this play famous. It aroused much comment at the time, but, nevertheless caught hold of and held the public imagination.
1926 saw yet another successful season of D'Oyly Carte. In 1928, the most popular production was "Funny Face," a musical comedy presented by Lee Ephraim which has drawn all London, and Leslie Hanson has been provided with one of his funniest parts. He is well supported by the clever dancing of Fred and Adele Astaire. After running for many successful months at the Princes, it has now been transferred to the Winter Garden.
The above text on The Romance of London Theatre By Ronald Mayes is from a Programme for the Lewisham Hippodrome.
Above - A Programme for 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' at the Princes Theatre in February 1954 - Courtesy Roger Fox.
Above - An illustrated Article on 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' at the Princes Theatre, London which opened on February the 9th 1954 - From The Sketch, 10th of February 1954.
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