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Hammersmith, London, Theatres and Halls

Kings Theatre, 178 - 180, Hammersmith Road, Hammersmith, London

Above - The King's Theatre, Hammersmith, from a postcard.

The King's Theatre, Hamersmith was built by W.G.R. Sprague and opened on the 26th December 1902 with a seating capacity of 3,000. The Theatre stood at 178 - 180 Hammersmith Road, which in 2005 is the site of a building called Kings House (numbered 174 Hammersmith Road) on the eastern side of the junction of Hammersmith Road and Rowan Road, and adjacent to Latymer Court. The Theatre was demolished in 1963. Kings Theatre site details courtesy John Hughes.

King's Theatre reaches its Golden Jubilee

FIFTY YEARS OF THEATRICAL HISTORY
By PHILIP J. BENNETT

(Reprinted from "The West London Observer, December 12th, 1952)

AT 1 p.m. on December 26th, 1902, The King's Theatre, Hammersmith opened its doors to the public for the first time with the pantomime "Cinderella."

During the 50 intervening years since that opening day, almost every British actor and actress of any claim whatsoever to fame has appeared on its stage.

Right - Programme for 'Cinderella' at the King's Theatre Hammersmith 1952 - Click for article by Lupino Lane on this production and biog.

Thumbing through, its programmes is like turning the pages of a theatrical "Who's Who."

Names that will never die, commencing with those giants of the Edwardian era, who today are still the yardstick by which Thespian talent is measured, are there in profusion.

Names like Beerbohm Tree, Sir Henry Lytton, Sir John Martin-Harvey, Matheson Lang, Sir Charles Hawtrey, Marie Tempest, Sir C. Aubrey Smith, Mrs. Patrick Campbell.

Names that were then, and still are, household words, familiar to us all.

During the years when musical comedy was in its heyday, the No.1 companies of George Edwardes and George Dance made frequent appearances at the King's Theatre and there were many seasons of Gilbert and Sullivan and the Carl Rosa Opera Company.

More recently the programmes carry the names of our modern stars -- Donald Wolfit, Ivor Novello, Noel Coward, Godfrey Tearle, Eileen Herlie, Fay Compton, Ruth Draper... but one could go on for a long time without exhausting the list of names covering every facet of the entertainment world. Names of plays that are still running and plays that have been long forgotten.

Right - Programme for 'The Courage of Silence' at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith - Week of May 22nd 1905

The programmes of this famous Hammersmith theatre are in very truth the pages of theatrical history.

Always noted for its adherence to the real pantomime tradition, the King's jubilee presentation of "Cinderella" will differ little in essentials from that first "Cinderella" in 1902. Many scenes are the same, and one of the featured attractions is still the "magnificent crystal coach drawn by real Shetland ponies." In this instance, the wording on both the first programme and the one for 1952 is almost identical.

An interesting link with the opening of the King's was disclosed when a Mr. Viner (now at Ongar, Essex) visited the theatre to book seats for a party for the jubilee pantomime. In conversation with the manager, it was revealed that his reason for doing this was a somewhat sentimental one.

When the actual construction was begun, Mr. Viner was the youngest employee of the contractors on the site and as such was chosen to lay the very first brick of the theatre, a distinction he now recalls with pride.

Left - Programme for 'Mary Rose' at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith Week of Feb 28th 1921.

A long-standing family connection between direction and management is also a noteworthy feature of the theatre. The present direction is in the hands of the Trustees of the late J. B. Mulholland, owner and founder. His son, Mr. J. V. Mulholland is the licensee, and the manager is Mr. Anthony Pigott, son of Mr. Thomas J. Pigott, general manager to J. B. Mulholland and the trust for 40 years.

Of recent years, the King's Theatre has been extensively used by the B.B.C. for live broadcasts and also for television.

Could some of those now dead and gone stars of the early days of the theatre peep in during a modern telecast. and discover that the production was being seen by millions of people in their own homes, they would assuredly think that black magic and witchcraft were rife in the modern theatre.

It may be interesting to our readers to learn what was written about the King's Theatre at its opening in 1902.

Referring to the pantomime, the 'West London Observer" of 26th December, 1902, says "Grand Fairy Pantomime 'Cinderella and the Little Glass Slipper' . . . on a scale of completeness and with a wealth of Gorgeous Scenery, Superb Dresses, Charming Effects, Magnificent Company, Beautiful Ballets and numerous auxiliaries." What more could one want?

Left and below right - Unusual programme cut into the shape of a pair of shoes for 'Goody Two Shoes' at the King's Theatre Hammersmith.

It was the first theatre to be constructed on the cantilever system, dispensing with all columns and affording an uninterrupted view of the stage from all parts of the house.

Press comments in 1902 on the building's amenities and architectural features were flattering and widespread, extending even to France where a Parisian journal carried quite a lengthy report on the opening.

This Hammersmith theatre was evidently something of a nine days' wonder when it first opened.

The 1952/53 production of "Cinderella" like that first one 50 years ago, will undoubtedly be a landmark in the long list of this famous theatre's pantomime successes and will be well worthy of the King's Golden Jubilee.

Text from a programme for 'Cinderella' with Lupino Lane at the King's Theatre Hammersmith, 1953. Images from my own collection - M.L.

Other Theatres and Halls in Hammersmith will appear on this page in due course.