Borough Theatre and Opera House, Stratford East

The Borough Theatre, Stratford East was built by Frank Matcham in 1896. It became the Rex Cinema in 1933. The Cinema closed in 1969 and and was furthur converted for Bingo, and again converted to a live music venue with licence for cinema in the mid 70s.

Above - The former Borough Theatre in Stratford East, now The Rex, and a detail showing that the original name is still visible on the building's side elevation - Photograph 2007 Courtesy Ben Minton.

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."

 

The theatre was opened on August 31st, 1896, and for this occasion Sir Herbert Tree and his company from the Haymarket Theatre were specially engaged.

Right - The former Borough Theatre in Stratford East, now The Rex - Photograph 2007 Courtesy Ben Minton.

The production was the first part of Shakespeare's "King Henry IV.," in which Holman Clark took the role of King Henry, Tree that of Sir John Falstaff, Sir Gerald du Maurier that of Poius, and Mrs. Tree that of Lady Percy. This was followed a few days later by "Trilby," in which Tree took the part of Svengali.

Left - Programme for The Royal Carl Rosa Opera Co. at the Borough Theatre and Opera House 1922.

Right from its commencement down to the present day the theatre has been very successful. The policy has been to stage drama with a pantomime at Christmas time, and to engage the best actors and actresses possible. At one time "East is East and West is West," and "Never the twain shall meet," was applicable to the entertainment world of London, as well as to colour and race. The type of show produced in the East End of London was widely different to West End productions. To-day, however, the style is very similar -- in many cases West End companies go to the suburbs either before or after their main run, and the Stratford Theatre has ever been to the fore in securing first-class shows.

Many famous artists have appeared there, including Henry, Irving and Ellen Terry, Fred Terry and Julia Neilson, Matheson Lang, Sybil Thorndike, Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Sir John Martin-Harvey, Mr. and Mrs. Kendal, Seymour Hicks, Lewis Waller and many others. Christmas "pantos" have seen amongst others Marie Lloyd and Little Tich.

It was towards the end of last century that Fredericks, the manager of the Borough Theatre, Stratford, tried to get an injunction to prevent Waller canceling an engagement with him. There had been some competition between Waller and Beerbohm Tree in producing "The Three Musketeers." Fredericks failed to get his injunction and Waller managed to get his play out before Tree, and after a trial run at the Metropole, in Camberwell, was put on at the Globe.

The theatre is now under the management of Fred. Fredericks. It says much for the policy of those in charge, that the house can keep its head above water with the legitimate drama. The theatre is tastefully decorated in old ivory and gold, with seats and carpets of a dark red.

Text from 'The Romance of London Theatres' by Ronald Mayes - From a programme for the The Astoria Theatre, London 1930.

 

 

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