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Shaftesbury Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London

Above - The Original Shaftesbury Theatre, from a period photograph.

The Shaftesbury Theatre, not to be confused with the current Shaftesbury Theatre, was built by C. J. Phipps and opened with a production of 'As you like it' on 20th October 1888. The Theatre had a capacity of 1,196 and a very square stage 28' 6" wide by 28' 6" deep.

If you were looking for details of the current Shaftesbury Theatre, formerly the Princes Theatre please see here...

Right - Shaftesbury Theatre seating plan - Click to Enlarge.

Left - Programme for 'The Belle of New York' at the Shaftesbury Theatre April 12th 1898, just ten years after it opened - Click to see entire programme.

Above - The Original Shaftesbury Theatre during the production of 'The Prince Of Pilsen'
Detail from a postcard for the Palace Theatre.

The Theatre was bombed and destroyed on the 17th April 1941 and the site stood empty for many years. A Fire Station now stands on the site, see image below.