The Prince Of Wales Theatre, London

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The Prince Of Wales Theatre, London
Special Feature

The Prince of Wales Theatre in 2005 - M.L. Hello and welcome to November's Special Feature. This month the feature is on The Prince Of Wales Theatre in London's Leicester Square. The feature has been updated slightly in 2006.

The Theatre is currently housing the hit show Mamma Mia, shown left.

Not strictly a Music Hall but none the less interesting for that, the theatre was originally built in 1884 by C.J. Phipps as part of a development which also included an hotel and restaurant.

In 1937 the theatre was completely rebuilt by Robert Cromie who managed to create a much larger auditorium and better stage in the space occupied by the original.

The theatre was again altered in 1963 and in 2004 was greatly improved by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Limited.

Left - The Prince of Wales Theatre in 2005. M.L.

The feature contains many articles, images, and programmes from the original, and new theatres.

Below - an extract from 'The Face Of London' by Harold P. Clunn - 1956

An image of the original theatre from a programme for 'La Poupee' in 1897 The 1937 completely rebuilt Theatre, shown here in a photo from 2002 - M.L. We now pass Piccadilly Circus on our left, which is fully dealt with in our next chapter, and turn into Coventry Street. This thoroughfare was considerably widened on the south side in 1881, and several important buildings were erected, including the former Haymarket Stores, the Prince of Wales's Theatre, and the club premises at the corner of Whitcomb Street, now the Mapleton Hotel. The Prince of Wales's Theatre, famous for musical comedy and revue, was erected in 1885 (sic) and rebuilt in 1936 (sic).

Above Left - An image of the original theatre from a programme for 'La Poupee' in 1897, and Right - The 1937 completely rebuilt Theatre, shown here in a photo from 2002 - M.L.

The adjoining building on the corner of Whitcomb Street has been the home of various clubs and from 1910 to 1920 was occupied by the Motor Club. About 1930 it was reopened by the Mapleton Hotel. Whitcomb Street leading through to Pall Mall was originally called Hedge Lane and in the reign of Charles II was a real lane and passage to St Giles's Fields. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth you could walk from here all the way to Hampstead without finding a dwelling-place.

Left - Prince of Wales Theatre seating plan - Click to Enlarge.

The extensive premises of the Haymarket Stores, which had frontages to both the Haymarket and Coventry Street, were pulled down in 1939 and on this site is an uncompleted block of shops and offices commenced before the second World War. The buildings on the north side include Scott's Restaurant facing the Haymarket, Lyons Corner House erected in 1908 at the corner of Rupert Street, and greatly enlarged in 1920-23, the Rialto Cinema, occupying the site of the old Globe Restaurant, demolished in 1911, and a branch of Lloyds Bank at the corner of Wardour Street. Rupert Street contains the well-known Florence Restaurant, and in Wardour Street is Pinoli's, another popular restaurant.

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Index to other Theatres and Cinemas in London's Leicester Square