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Shaftesbury Theatre, Holborn

Formerly New Princes Theatre / Princes Theatre

Above - The Shaftesbury Theatre in November 2007 during the run of the critically acclaimed production of 'Hairspray' with Michael Ball and Mel Smith. - Photo M. L. 07.

The present day Shaftesbury Theatre, Holborn was original built as the New Princes Theatre and was designed by Bertie Crewe, opening on the 26th December 1911 with a production of 'The Three Musketeers. It had a capacity of 2,392 and a stage 31' 10" wide by 31' deep. It was the last Theatre to be opened in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Right - The Princes Theatre, later to become the Shaftesbury Theatre,`during the run of 'Wonderful Town' in 1955.

A few days before the Theatre opened, on the 23rd December, the ERA wrote about this new Theatre saying: 'The new house has three frontages, which enable the house to be cleared in a few minutes.

Externally an example of Modern Renaissance, internally the house is eclectical French in its decorations. Above the main entrance, at the corner, rises an elegant tower. The interior decoration is in cream and gold, with side panels in autumnal tints, and groups of statuary over the boxes. The saucer-domed ceiling is ornamented with symbolic groups representing 'The Light of the World,' 'Endeavour,' 'Love,' 'The Crowning Success,' and 'The Torch of Destiny,' and four life-size groups which surmount the boxes are emblematic of Comedy, Tragedy, Poetry, and Music.

Left - Programme for 'Woman and Wine' at the New Princes Theatre 1912, see inside the programme below.

The ten boxes are parted by Ionic columns, with figured drums fluted and enriched; and bas-relief groups adorn the proscenium arch. The crimson velvet of the upholstery goes well with the rose and white marbles, the alabaster, and the gold mosaic of the walls. The New Princes is a two-tier theatre, and each tier has its own saloon adorned with oak panelling, wrought iron fittings and tapestries. The Stalls saloon is Elizabethan, the circle saloon Jacobean. A central ring of electric lights is suspended from the ceiling of the auditorium, supplemented by four large wrought brass chandeliers. The arrangements for heating and ventilating by the 'Plenum' system of forced air will ensure a gradual change of atmosphere six times an hour.'

The Romance of London Theatre
By Ronald Mayes
No. 42. The Princes'

THE New Princes' Theatre was opened as recently as 1911. The proprietors, the brothers Walter and Frederick Melville opened it with a revival of "The Three Musketeers," which had been transferred from the Lyceum. The theatre is situated in a very convenient position in Shaftesbury Avenue, near the new Oxford Street end, and is the theatre which suffered in the great gas explosions which took place recently in the district. During the early days the theatre appears to have been closed for a number of varying periods.

Despite the fact that the house is very modern, it has been made famous by its productions, and especially for the season of Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

In the autumn of 1919, during an eighteen weeks' season, nearly every Gilbert and Sullivan opera was played at this theatre. The house has nearly twice the seating capacity of the Savoy theatre, the cradle of the Savoy Opera, and immediately the season was announced, £30,000 poured into the box office for advance bookings. The productions given during the season were entirely redressed from new designs. Rutland Barrington and Jessie Bond, of the old company, who had come to the Princes' to view the performances, were quickly recognised in their boxes by many of the audience.

Seymour Hicks was the lessee of the house in 1917, and produced, with Ellaline Teriss, "Good News," a comedy at which France had laughed for over a year. Shortly afterwards Charles B. Cochran staged "Columbine," by Compton Mackenzie, the play being founded on his novel "Carnival."

In 1920 "The Man who Came Back" was transferred from the Oxford to this theatre, and ran for 106 performances. The following year, prior to another D'Oyly Carte season, "The Knave of Diamonds" ran successfully for 185 performances.

The next season of Savoy Operas, which commenced in October 1921, ran on and concluded on April the 8th the following year. Once again the old popular favourites were given and received with tremendous enthusiasm. Late in 1922 a Guitry season of French plays was given.

Left - Early Programme for the Pantomime 'Cinderella' with Stanley Lupino as 'Buttons' at the Princes Theatre.

Right - Programme for 'Pal Joey' with Richard France and Arthur Lowe at the Princes Theatre in 1954.

Towards the end of 1923, "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" commenced, and ran for 130 performances, and this was followed by another season of Savoy operas.

"White Cargo," one of the principal plays of 1925, was transferred from the Fortune Theatre to the Princes. Franklyn Dyall was the actor who made this play famous. It aroused much comment at the time, but, nevertheless caught hold of and held the public imagination.

1926 saw yet another successful season of D'Oyly Carte. In 1928, the most popular production was "Funny Face," a musical comedy presented by Lee Ephraim which has drawn all London, and Leslie Hanson has been provided with one of his funniest parts. He is well supported by the clever dancing of Fred and Adele Astaire. After running for many successful months at the Princes', it has now been transferred to the Winter Garden.

The Romance of London Theatre By Ronald Mayes from a Programme for the Lewisham Hippodrome.

London's West End Theatres

Adelphi Aldwych Apollo Apollo Victoria Arts Cambridge Comedy Criterion Dominion Drury Lane Duchess Duke Of Yorks Fortune Garrick Gielgud Haymarket Her Majesty's London Coliseum London Palladium Lyceum Lyric New Ambassadors New London Noel Coward / Albery Novello Old Vic Palace Peacock Phoenix Piccadilly Playhouse Prince Edward Prince of Wales Queen's Royal Opera House Savoy Shaftesbury St. Martin's Trafalgar Studios / Whitehall Vaudeville Victoria Palace Wyndham's