Building    From 1705 

His Majesty's Theatre / Her Majesty's Theatre

Categories: Theatre

In 1705 Vanbrugh completed the Queen's Theatre, named in honour of Queen Anne, which quickly became informally known as the Haymarket Opera House (not to be confused with the Theatre Royal Haymarket / Haymarket Theatre nor with the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden). On the accession of George I in 1714 it became the King's Theatre and now formally changes names depending on the gender of the monarch. Initially it was not a success because of its terrible acoustics and in 1709 it was turned over to Italian opera. It was here that Handel produced 'Rinaldo', his first opera in England. After a fire in 1789 the theatre was rebuilt. See Little Whig and Kitt Catt for the strange story of the original foundation stones. In 1816-18 Nash and George Repton made alterations to the building which included the addition of the Arcade on the west side. The current theatre, designed by C.J. Phipps in 1897 for Herbert Tree, is the fourth on the site.
In 1948, the Government of New Zealand leased the site comprising the bombed rubble of the Carlton Hotel, Her Majesty's Theatre and the Royal Opera Arcade. New Zealand House, built on the site of the Carlton Hotel, was opened in 1963.

2023: On the coronation of King Charles III this theatre changed its name from Her Majesty's Theatre to His  Majesty's Theatre.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
His Majesty's Theatre / Her Majesty's Theatre

Commemorated ati

Her Majesty's Theatre - H Tree

This theatre was founded in 1897 by Herbert Tree, actor, and directed by him ...

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Her Majesty's Theatre - SWET

Theatreland - Heart of the performing arts in London Her Majesty's Theatre ...

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Royal Opera Arcade

The "plaque" is actually a very dull modern notice inside the arcade so for o...

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Thomas Doggett

This plaque raises some questions. Firstly, how could he have 'died a pauper'...

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Other Subjects

Lady Winifred Fortescue

Lady Winifred Fortescue

Writer and actress. Born as Winifred Beech in a Suffolk rectory. Died France. 1914 she married John Fortescue (1859-1933, librarian, archivist at Windsor Castle and British Army historian), despit...

Person, Benefactor, Literature, Theatre, France

1 memorial
Savoy Theatre

Savoy Theatre

The Savoy Theatre opened in 1881. Despite this date it is a delightful example of Art Deco, explained on the Savoy Theatre website as follows: The theatre closed on 3 June 1929 to be internally com...

Building, Theatre

3 memorials
Ken Campbell

Ken Campbell

Writer, actor, director and comedian. Born in Ilford, Essex. Described as one of the strangest people in Britain. He trained at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), but never fitted into any conve...

Person, Cinema, Theatre, TV & Radio

1 memorial
Adelphi Theatre

Adelphi 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.  1...

Group, Theatre

1 memorial
Peckham Shed

Peckham Shed

A theatre company run for children and young people aged five to seventeen years old. Originally set up by Chicken Shed, a similar theatre company based in Cockfosters.

Group, Art, Community / Clubs, Dance, Theatre

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Southwark Trades Council

Southwark Trades Council

From the website: "Each London borough is served by a trade union council (also known as a trades council or TUC). They are registered by the Trades Union Congress. They are organisations consistin...

Group, Community / Clubs, Politics & Administration, Social Welfare

1 memorial