Building    From 3/5/1951 

Royal Festival Hall

Categories: Dance, Music / songs

A 2,700-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre. The first post-war building to be protected with a Grade 1 Listing, in 1981.

The project was led by London County Council's then chief architect, Robert Matthew, with a young team of talented designers including Leslie Martin, who was eventually to lead the project.

Built on the site of the former Lion Brewery, the foundation stone was laid in 1949 and the building was officially opened on 3 May 1951.

A London Inheritance has a splendid post about the construction of the RFH, with lots of historic photos.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Royal Festival Hall

Commemorated ati

Clement Attlee - Royal Festival Hall

This film shows what looks like a time capsule being buried, and Attlee layin...

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Other Subjects

Sir Frederick Ashton

Sir Frederick Ashton

Ballet dancer and choreographer. Born Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He studied under Léonide Massine and Marie Rambert, and was chief choreographer to Ninette de Valoi...

Person, Dance, Seriously Famous, Ecuador

1 memorial
Chisenhale Gallery

Chisenhale Gallery

A non-profit contemporary art gallery. It focuses on a programme of commissioned exhibitions, offsite projects and events, film screenings and talks. Our photograph shows a performance at the gallery.

Place, Art, Dance

1 memorial
Jack Buchanan

Jack Buchanan

Actor-manager, song-and-dance entertainer. Born Helensburgh near Glasgow. Died in the Middlesex Hospital. His ashes were scattered from the deck of a Cunard Liner in recognition of his 50+ trans...

Person, Cinema, Dance, Music / songs, Theatre, Scotland

1 memorial
Darcey Bussell

Darcey Bussell

Ballerina. Dame Darcey Andrea Bussell, DBE was born Marnie Mercedes Darcey Pemberton Crittle in London. Spent some time in Australia as a child. Aged 20 became a principle dancer at the Royal Balle...

Person, Dance, Seriously Famous, Australia

2 memorials
Jessie Matthews, OBE

Jessie Matthews, OBE

Actor, singer and dancer. Born into a large family in Berwick Street.  Made her name in theatre and in the 30's was Britain's favourite musical film star.  Post-war her career flagged but in 1963 s...

Person, Cinema, Dance, Music / songs, Theatre, TV & Radio

2 memorials