The Architect's plans for the original 1884 Prince's Theatre, Coventry Street, London
Later - The First Prince of Wales Theatre / The Present Prince of Wales Theatre
The
first Theatre on this site in Coventry Street, London opened as the Prince's Theatre on the
18th of January 1884 with a production of the Comedy 'The Palace of Truth' by W.
S. Gilbert, of Gilbert & Sulivan fame, and a production of the
Comedy 'In Honour Bound,' by Sydney Grundy. The Theatre, with a capacity
of 1,062, was
designed by the prolific Theatre Architect C.J.
Phipps as part of a development which also included an Hotel and
Restaurant. Although the Theatre originally opened as the Prince's Theatre
it would soon be renamed, only two years later, to the Prince
of Wales Theatre on October the 4th 1886 for the opening of the Comic Opera 'La Bearnaise.' On the 16th of January
1937 the last production at the original Prince of Wales Theatre, a
revue called 'Encore Les Dames,' came to an end and the Theatre closed
its doors for the final time. The old Theatre was then quickly demolished
so that a new Theatre of the same name could be built on the site.
Right - C. J. Phipps' handwritten planning application letter to the Metropolitan Board of Works, 11th January 1883 concerning the Prince's Theatre, Coventry Street, London - Click to see the whole letter enlarged.
Below are the architect's plans which were produced in July 1935, two years before the Theatre was demolished, to make way for a new one on the same site. The plans were most likely copied from the original 1880s ones by C. J. Phipps and then modified for any changes over the years such as the renaming of the auditorium tiers.
There is much more information on the history of the Prince of Wales Theatre on its own page here.
Above - The Architect's plans for the Basement of the original 1884 Prince's Theatre / Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street, London
Above - The Architect's plans for the Stalls Level of the original 1884 Prince's Theatre / Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street, London
Above - The Architect's plans for the Dress Circle of the original 1884 Prince's Theatre / Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street, London
Above - The Architect's plans for the Upper Circle and Gallery of the original 1884 Prince's Theatre / Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street, London
