Group    From 1806 

Adelphi Theatre

Categories: Theatre

Founded as the Sans Parail by John Scott, and his daughter Jane, who was an early playwright-actor-manager. 1819 it re-opened as the Adelphi Theatre, named for the Adelphi development opposite. 1858 the theatre was rebuilt. In 1879 the Gatti brothers took it over and also, 1887, created the Adelphi Theatre Restaurant next door, to the west. 1897 one of the regular performers, William Terriss, was murdered as he entered the theatre by the Maiden Lane entrance. 1901 the theatre was rebuilt to designs of Ernest Runtz and for three years known as the Century Theatre. The theatre was rebuilt again in the 1930s and in this design the theatre, the facade at least, took over one bay of the restaurant. This is the building we see today, although the facade is now even flatter than it was in the 30s. Our picture, from the the magnificent Arthur Lloyd, shows the 1858 building.

The Gatti's set up a electricity suppy for another nearby restaurant and also used it in 1885 to provide lighting to this theatre, making the Adelphi the first London theatre to be lit with electric light, according to the ODNB.  But the Savoy Theatre, claims this crown in 1881.

The Theatres Trust have a detailed description of the various changes the theatre has been through.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Adelphi Theatre

Creations i

Terriss

City of Westminster William Terriss, 1847 - 1897, hero of the Adelphi melodr...

Read More

Other Subjects

Alhambra Theatre

Alhambra Theatre

The image shows the old theatre, the Charing Cross Road facade and bottom, the Leicester Square facade, now the Odeon cinema.

Building, Theatre

1 memorial
Shirley Anne Field

Shirley Anne Field

Actor. Born Shirley Broomfield in Bolton, Lancashire. She started her career as a glamour model. Laurence Olivier chose her to play the prime female role in the film 'The Entertainer' and she also ...

Person, Cinema, Theatre, TV & Radio

1 memorial
Austin Rudd

Austin Rudd

Music hall singer and comedian. Born Arthur Rudd in London. In his day he was extremely popular and he toured throughout the world, but is now largely forgotten. His act was described as being 'qua...

Person, Music / songs, Theatre

1 memorial
Lord Richard Attenborough, CBE

Lord Richard Attenborough, CBE

Actor, director, producer. Born Cambridge. Older brother of TV wildlife presenter Sir David. Died, aged 90 years, on 24 August 2014.

Person, Benefactor, Cinema, Seriously Famous, Theatre

1 memorial