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Theatres in Stratford East, London

Theatre Royal - Borough Theatre - Rex Cinema - Empire Palace of Varieties

The Theatre Royal, Raffles Square, Stratford East

Above - A poster for Arthur Lloyd and his wife Katty King appearing at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, three years after the Theatre opened, on May the 25th 1887 - The poster is for a Benefit for Joseph Ellis during the time that Fred Thomas was manager there, and is from a large collection of original Lloyd Posters collected since the mid 1800s by members of the family. To see all these posters click the Poster Index here...

The Theatre Royal, Stratford East was built in 1884 and was designed by J. G. Buckle. The Theatre is the only example of a London suburban Theatre with an un-cantilevered auditorium supported by columns. The exterior of the building is plain, to say the least, but the auditorium, built on three levels, stalls and two balconies, is far more attractive.

In 1992 the auditorium was restored to its former glory and can now accommodate up to 460 people. There is also a long bar which stretches alongside the stage and is open to the public and artistes alike, and is frequently home to live music and comedy events.

For much more information and many images of this historic East London Theatre you may like to visit the Theatre's own Website here .

Arthur Lloyd is known to have performed at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East in 1885 and 1887, and he and his company performed his own Play 'Ballyvogan at the Theatre in November 1889.' There is more information and a review of this early Stratford production here.

Above - Advertisement for Arthur Lloyd and Company at the Theatre Royal, Stratford - From The Era 27 Jun 1885 - Courtesy Brent Fernandez

The Empire Palace of Varieties, Stratford East

Above - A Sketch of the New Empire Palace, Broadway, Stratford East - From The ERA, 25 of March 1899 - Courtesy Brent Fernandez - To see more of these sketches click here.

The Empire Palace of Varieties was built by Messrs George Longden and Sons of Sheffield to the designs of the respected Theatre architect W. G. R. Sprague. The Theatre opened on Easter Monday 1899 with a Variety show featuring Eugen Sandow, Mark Melford, Ruby Verdi, the Gotham Comedy Quartet, Colby and Way, and many others, (more on this below). Shortly before the Theatre opened the ERA printed a review of the new building in their 25th of March 1899 edition saying:

'This handsome and commodious new theatre of varieties, which is to be opened on Easter Monday, has been erected by the London District Empire Palaces, Limited, of which the chairman is Mr H. E. Moss, and the managing-director Mr Oswald Stoll. The new building is situated in the Broadway, and considering that there exists no other hall of varieties in Stratford - a district as thickly populated as any around central London, the promoters of the undertaking have every reason to feel sanguine as to the success of the New Empire Palace of Varieties.

It will be conducted on the two houses a-night principle - that is to say, two performances each evening will be given, the same artists appearing at both, the first beginning at half-past six and finishing at half-past eight, and the second opening at nine and concluding at eleven. The hall will be made as attractive and comfortable as those palaces of pleasure situated at the West-end of London, and on the nightly programme will be found the names of leading artists in the variety profession. In fact, everything will be done by the management to make the New Empire worthy of its name and its surroundings.

The building has been erected from designs by Mr W. G. R. Sprague, the well-known theatre architect, of Arundel-street, Strand and the accompanying engraving clearly shows what a handsome and commanding appearance the exterior presents. Surmounting the building and standing out in bold relief is a female figure holding aloft a globe, from which at night-time will stream the brilliant rays of the electric light. Over the main entrance is the date 1899, with symbolical figures on each side. The stage door is reached by a long passage on the left side of the building, where there are numerous exits, so that in the event of a panic occurring the building could be emptied in a very short space of time. The entrances to the better parts of the house are direct from the Broadway up a flight of marble stairs, about 8ft. wide, into a circular vestibule, and thence right and left to the grand circle and fauteuils. There are commodious saloons or lounges to each part of the house.

The auditorium is one of the largest in London, having a depth of 70ft. from the curtain line to the back wall of the pit, with a clear width of 60ft. The auditorium is constructed entirely without columns, and is completely fireproof. The house is on the two-tier system, consisting on the ground floor of fauteuils, pit stalls, and pit. On the first tier is the grand circle, and on the second tier is the balcony, with the gallery set up above it, forming practically a three-circle house. The style of decoration throughout is Moresque, the prevailing colours being terra-cotta, gold, and blue. Fine raised promenades are provided on each level, and a feature of the new theatre is a number of pretty boxes at the rear of the grand circle, giving a cosy appearance to the house. In the roof is a skylight which can be raised for purposes of ventilation and clearing the building of tobacco smoke. The general effect of the decorations is very bright and pretty, while at the same time anything in the nature of garishness has been carefully avoided. From every seat in the house an uninterrupted view of the stage can be obtained, an advantage that will be greatly appreciated by the patrons of the new place of amusement. The rake is also very satisfactory.

All modern appliances have been taken advantage of, such as hot water heating, hydrants, a fire-proof curtain, and electric lighting throughout; also an installation of gas in case of a temporary break down of the electric light. The stage is 40ft. deep and 70ft. wide, with a height of 55ft. to the grid. This will allow of the most elaborate pieces being staged. The contractors are Messrs George Longden and Sons, Sheffield; the decorations are by the Plastic Decoration Company, the hydrants and fire appliances are supplied by Messrs Merry weather and Sons, the steel work by Messrs Whitford and Co., the heating, gas, installations, and electric lighting by Messrs Strode and Co.; the furniture by Messrs Wolfe and Hollander. Mr Price is the clerk of the works, and Mr Fred Kennedy has charge of the press department.'

Above text in quotes is from the ERA, 25 of March 1899 - Courtesy Brent Fernandez.

The ERA also printed a review of the opening variety production at the new Empire Palace in the same edition saying:

'The Stratford Empire enterprise was very successfully launched on Monday evening, when, in the presence of the Mayor and Corporation of the town, and of numerous gentlemen distinguished in the variety world, an orderly and superior-class audience, cramming every available nook and cranny, broke out into hearty and sustained cheers and exclamations of satisfaction at the beautiful establishment with which they had been provided. Similar enthusiasm has been manifested throughout the week, the holding capacity of the auditorium being thoroughly tested at every performance.

The entertainment which the Stratford public are invited to enjoy - and which is directed by the courteous acting-manager, Mr S. Gething, late of the Metropole at Glasgow - is one of premier pattern. Eugen Sandow receives an ovation when his muscular figure is observed on the pedestal, and expressions of wonder are everywhere heard during the exposition of the athlete's marvelous physical development. In a scene representing a Roman amphitheatre, Sandow afterwards takes hold of bar-bells and dumb-bells of extraordinary weight, one of which he balances on his knees while on another a stalwart attendant is swung to and fro. Other astounding feats are performed by this modern Hercules, who, later, seated on the haunches of a horse, bends backwards, lifts a man from the ground up over his head, and seats him astride on the horse's back. As a specimen of finger-strength Sandow tears in halves one and two packs of playing cards, his last effort being to separate no less than 154 cards. Sandow is encored again and again, and his performance is discussed with eager astonishment long after he has left the stage.

The programme is not without a sketch, and it is that wildly farcical one that has left its merry mark everywhere it has been performed, namely, Between the Turns. The talented author, Mr Mark Melford, appears in the part of the embarrassed solicitor, and his finished methods and his droll sayings and doings never fail of their intention, the house being moved to one continuous peal of laughter during the progress of the piece.

Miss Ruby Verdi, who made herself a warm favourite as Cinderella in the local Borough Theatre pantomime, well employs her pretty voice in "Just like the world outside," and does a neat characteristic dance. The tuneful singing of the Gotham Comedy Quartet, contrasted with their eccentric get-up and funniosities, takes the house by storm. They begin with a concerted setting of "Say Au Revoir," which merges into a merry carol of "Four jolly Irishmen." There is also a solo, with humming accompaniment, that might be called "Just break the news to mother," that is greeted with unbounded applause, and the talented singers are brought back many times in answer to approving cheers.

The ventriloquial arts of Colby and Way create amusement, the dancing of Miss May as the very realistic doll being viewed with pleasure. The wee Sisters Webster are heard in a lively lovers' quarrel, and Mr J. S Thomas, who possesses a good tenor voice, gains much admiration for his expressive singing of "The Death of Nelson " and Alice, where art thou? " The skillful piano playing of M. and Madame Borelli is greeted with approval, the clever and ludicrous burlesque of a selection from Il Trovatore causing considerable merriment; and the programme also comprises Mr Edgar Granville, the favourite singing and patter comedian, and Mora and Lola, musical artistes.

Some particularly fine cloths from the brushes of Mr Walter Harm, Mr Frederick Fox, the regular scenic artist, and Mr J. B. Parker are unfolded in the course of the evening, and a very capable band of about sixteen performers is admirably led by Mr Augustus Greco.'

Above text in quotes is from the ERA, 25 of March 1899 - Courtesy Brent Fernandez.

The Empire Palace Theatre, Stratford East was a victim of the Second World War when it was bombed in 1940. The Theatre was subsequently demolished.

The Romance of London Theatres
by Ronald Mayes

THE Borough Theatre, Stratford, was erected in 1896 for Albert Fredericks from the designs of the architect, Frank Matcham, and was known at first as "The Borough Theatre and Opera House," Stratford. It stands opposite Stratford Market Station, quite near to the old Vegetable and fruit market.

Left - The Borough Theatre Stratford East.

Stratford has been immortalised by, Chaucer, in the prologue to the "Canterbury Tales," in words which imply that in his time it was a well-known place of education for young ladies. Describing the prioress, Chaucer says :

"French she spake full fayre and fetisly,
After the scole of Stratforde-atte-Bowe,
For French of Paris was to her unknowe."