Embassy Theatre, and Holborn Restaurant, High Holborn, Kingsway

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Embassy Theatre, and Holborn Restaurant, High Holborn, Kingsway

The building currently on the site of the former Embassy Theatre and Holborn Restaurant, High Holborn and Kingsway in 2008 - Photo M.L.

Above - The building currently on the site of the former Embassy Theatre and Holborn Restaurant, High Holborn and Kingsway in 2008 - Photo M.L.

Programme for 'The New Stunt' at the Embassy Theatre, High Holborn for the week of the 1st of October 1923. The Embassy Theatre in High Holborn, was next door to the Holborn Restaurant which was on the corner of Kingsway and High Holborn. There is now a new building on the site (shown above) which includes a Sainsbury's Supermarket amongst many other shops and offices.

Right - Programme for 'The New Stunt' at the Embassy Theatre, High Holborn for the week of the 1st of October 1923.

The Embassy Theatre was converted from a former building by the well known Theatre Architect Frank Verity. A programme for October 1923 at the Theatre states that 'The Directors are grateful to their architect, Mr. Frank Verity, F. R. I. B. A., for his services in surmounting the many difficulties occasioned by the adaptation of the old premises to the new requirements.'

Left - Map of Kingsway and High Holborn showing the position of the Holborn Restaurant, the Embassy Theatre, and the Novelty Theatre. - From 'The Fascination of London / Holborn and Bloomsbury' by Sir Walter Besant 1836-1901, which states that the 'Holborn Restaurant forms part of the side of this street; this is a very gorgeous building, and within is a very palace of modern luxury. It stands on the site formerly occupied by the Holborn Casino or Dancing Saloon.'

Postcard showing Kingsway from High Holborn. The Embassy Theatre was to the right of the Holborn Restaurant and out of view in this picture. - Courtesy Dave Gregory of 'Postcards of the Past.'

Above - Postcard showing Kingsway from High Holborn. The Embassy Theatre was to the right of the Holborn Restaurant and out of view in this picture. To the left you can see Holborn Underground station and to the far left is the London Opera House - Back of card reads "Kingsway - This magnificent modern thoroughfare extends from Holborn to the Strand, and consists mainly of elegantly designed public and private offices. The building at the far distance is Bush House, while that on the right is the famous Holborn Restaurant. The tramway travels underneath Kingsway." - Courtesy Dave Gregory of 'Postcards of the Past.'

Photograph showing Kingsway in 2008 from the same position as the postcard above, albeit at a lower angle. The Holborn Restaurant has been replaced by a new building housing shops and offices, just visible to the right of the image. - Photo M.L. 2008.

Above - Photograph showing Kingsway in 2008 from the same position as the postcard above, albeit at a lower angle. The Holborn Restaurant has been replaced by a new building housing shops and offices, just visible to the right of the image. - Photo M.L. 2008.

If you have any more information about the Embassy Theatre, or images you are willing to share, please Contact me.

Right - For more images of Holborn and London's lost Streets see the Disappearing London page here.

Programme for the Embassy Theatre, High Holborn for the week of the 1st of October 1923.

Programme for the Embassy Theatre, High Holborn for the week of the 1st of October 1923. The New Stunt is a pleasing combination of moving pictures and a Concert Party on the lines of the famous Follies entertainment.

Pictures - not too much, but good. The news in its pleasantest form, and one really good feature picture.

Mr. Arthur Davenport who for eight years was Mr. Pelissier's right hand man when the Follies were making history at the Apollo, is responsible for the Concert Programme.

The ability which carried the Follies through eight successful years at the Apollo is now at your service at the Embassy Theatre.

Costumes by Mme. Russton, 6a, Maddox St, W.

Gentlemen's suits tailored by Alfred Vandervelde, 19, Gerrard Street, W. I.

Stage Decorations by Waring & Gillow.

Electrical Effects by Rockall & Co.

Acting Manager - REGINALD WOOD.

Musical Director - HARRY JOSEPH.

Press Representative - C. ALLIN GREEN.

Right - Programme detail from 'The New Stunt' at the Embassy Theatre, High Holborn for the 1st of October 1923.

Programme detail from 'The New Stunt' at the Embassy Theatre, High Holborn for the 1st of October 1923.

Above - Programme detail from 'The New Stunt' at the Embassy Theatre, High Holborn for the 1st of October 1923.

The Holborn Restaurant, Kingsway, London

A Postcard of the Holborn Restaurant in the 1920's - Courtesy Alan Bailey

Above - A Postcard of the Holborn Restaurant in the 1920's - Courtesy Alan Bailey, whose Mother was a waitress there in her late teens, and where she met Alan's Father who attended Lodge meetings there.

Notice of a Freemason's meeting at the Masonic Hall above the Holborn Restaurant, sent to Alan Bailey's father in 1934 - Courtesy Alan Bailey. The Holborn Restaurant is at the corner of Kingsway (the new route to the Strand) and opposite here is Southampton-row, which, leading to Russell-sq, has become a great centre for hotels and boarding-houses of different styles (temperance as well as others) suitable to middle-class visitors.

Charles Dickens Jr. et al, Dickens Dictionary of London, c.1908.

A visitor to the site, Alan Bailey' has recently sent in some information and images for the Holborn Restaurant, he writes: 'My Mother in her teens (now sadly departed) worked at the Holborn Restaurant as a Waitress, she remembered encounters with The Western Brothers and other artistes of the day who appeared there. Above the Restaurant was a Masonic Hall where my father was a Mason and that's how they met. I have a postcard photo of the building in those days and a 'Mappin & Webb' silver tankard with the Restaurant monogram on it, also a book of matches with same.' Alan Bailey.

Right - Notice of a Freemason's meeting at the Masonic Hall above the Holborn Restaurant, sent to Alan Bailey's father in 1934 - Courtesy Alan Bailey.

Matchbook from the Holborn Restaurant - Courtesy Alan Bailey. The Holborn Restaurant was a very large building which was popular with clubs and societies. The British Chess Federation was founded there in 1904 and when in 1908 the Olympic Games were held in London, a series of banquets were given at the restaurant for the participating athletes.

Left - Matchbook from the Holborn Restaurant - Courtesy Alan Bailey.

The Restaurant was also a popular venue for Masonic meetings and, like many hotels and restaurants in London at that time, the premise contained a specially built Masonic temple. The Holborn Restaurant was closed in 1954 and converted into offices.

Text above edited from articles at the University of Sheffield (Centre for Research into Freemasonry.)

Right - Monogrammed tankard bearing the words 'Holborn Restaurant - Courtesy Alan Bailey.

Since the conversion into offices The Holborn Restaurant building has been entirely demolished and a large modern building, including a Sainsbury's Supermarket, stands on the site.