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Terry's Theatre, The Strand, London
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In 1905 the Theatre was altered by the renowned architect and theatre builder, Frank Matcham. As with so many other Theatres of its period Terry's closed as a live Theatre on the 8th of October 1910 and was converted to a cinema. The Theatre was demolished in 1923 to accommodate the widening of the Strand. Right - Terry's Theatre seating plan - Click to Enlarge.
Between 1868 and 1875 he was the leading comedian at the Strand theatre, London, but it was not till he joined Hollingshead's company at the Gaiety in 1876 that he became a public favourite in the burlesques produced there during the next eight years. With Nellie Farren, Kate Vaughan and Royce, he made the fortune of this house, his eccentric acting and singing creating a style which had many imitators. Left - Line drawing of Terry's Theatre from 'The Romance of London Theatres' by Ronald Mayes. From a programme for the Lewisham Hippodrome. In 1887 he went into management, opening Terry's theatre, where his production of Pinero's Sweet Lavender was a great success. (See programme below.) But in subsequent years he was only occasionally seen at his own theatre, and made many tours in the provinces and in Australia, America and South Africa. Off the stage he was well known as an ardent Freemason, and an indefatigable member of the councils of many charities and of public bodies. Above text on Terry from the Encyclopedia Britannica (11th Edition.) |
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The Romance of London Theatres
After this the house was acquired by Charles Wilmot, an Australian, who christened it "The Occidental Tavern," which became a popular resort of actors.
Right - Programme for 'Law and Physic' and the very successful 'Sweet Lavender' which opened at Terry's Theatre on the 21st of March 1888 and ran for 684 performances. - Click for details. On the first night there was fiasco over the complimentary seats, and one well known critic was apparently excluded from the invitations. He arrived uninvited, however, but was stopped on his way to the stalls. He cursed the play, the actors and everything connected with it, and raising his hands to heaven he expressed the wish that the theatre would be burnt to the ground. Happily, however, the theatre still stood and his wish for failure did not materialise, for "Sweet Lavender" was an unprecedented success and became the rage of the playgoing public. The sweetness of the play was haunting, the acting unforgettable, and it continued to run for such a length of time that people began to ask "Will there ever be a last perforance of 'Sweet Lavender' ?"
Pinero wrote other pieces for this theatre, including "In Chancery," which was produced in 1890 and "The Times" in 1892. Terry's actual contribution to theatrical history was not really remarkable. There were, however, several plays which enjoyed quite long runs, including "The New Boy," Jerome's "Old Lamps for New" and "The Pantomime Rehearsal," the latter play being particularly successful. "My Lady Motly," too, had a record run and proved very popular with the public. Left - Programme for 'Jedbury Junr' at Terry's Theatre February 14th 1896 - Click to see entire programme. In 1894 there was an endeavour to reassociate Kate Vaughan and Edward Terry in a series of sketches from old Gaiety successes, but it was not successful. Prior to its demolition in connection with the Strand widening scheme, the theatre was run as a cinema for some years. Text from 'The Romance of London Theatres by Ronald Mayes" - From a programme for the Lewisham Hippodrome. |
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Details of Terry's Theatre There are Three Tiers: Pit and Stalls, Balcony and Dress Circle, and Gallery and Upper Boxes. Each part of the house has two or more exits, fitted with Messrs. Chubb's Patent Panic Door Lock and Apparatus.- The total exit accommodation is, according to the regulations of the Board of Works, equal to 3,500 persons, while, as before stated, the holding capacity of the Theatre is only 800 persons. The whole, including the roof is constructed of concrete and iron, no wood being used in the Auditorium, except for doors and windows; while all the necessary woodwork, before and behind the curtain, is coated with Sir Seymour BLANE'S Fireproof Paint. A thorough system of Hydrants, in the best available position, is placed before and behind the scenes, a Hydrant being in each circle, one on each side, while the whole of the Stage and Flies, both above and below, are dominated with a system of Sprinklers, which Sprinklers are commanded by valves at the Stage Door, and are always ready. Thus, while the Auditorium is entirely Fireproof, the Stage can be deluged at a few moments' notice with a perfect sheet of water, entirely preventing the spread of fire. The Stage woodwork is all coated with Fireproof Paint. The Auditorium and Stage are both separately ventilated by direct exhausts in the roof of each. The Stage is divided from the Auditorium by the Proscenium wall, which wall passes some twenty feet above the outside of the Auditorium Roof, the opening in the Proscenium being closed by a Fireproof Curtain. Left -Programme for 'The New Boy' and 'The Gentleman Whip' at Terry's Theatre in 1894. The whole of the building is lighted by electricity, which is supplied by the SIR COUTTS LINDSAY Co., of Grosvenor Gallery, no Engines, Dynamos, &c., being in the Building.
Right - Programme for ''Artful Miss Dearing' and 'The Willow Pattern Plate' at Terry's Theatre, date unknown. The Architect is Mr. Walter Emden, who has for many years made a study of the construction of Theatres and Fireproof Public Buildings, assisted by Mr. George Harrison. C.E., as to the Hydrants and Water arrangements. The Contractors are Messrs. Holliday & Greenwood, who have taken especial care in the execution of the work. The Ironwork is by Messrs. M.T. Shaw, and the Water Apparatus by Messrs. ROSE. The Gas and Electric Fittings by Messrs. Vaughan. & Brown. The, Carton Pierre has been executed by Messrs. Battiscombe & Harris, while the Tile Decorations have been executed by Messrs. Doulton. Mr. E. Bell has executed the Painted Decorations. Above Text is from the back of a programme for 'Sweet Lavender' 1887 |
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