Ambassador's

• Theatre ID
  1097
• Built / Converted
  1913
• Dates of use
  • 1913: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  West Street, Camden, London, WC2H 9ND, England
• Website
  • http://www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk

Details

A small theatre on an impossibly small site, it is a planning tour de force by Sprague, probably his most striking feat of compression, front and back of house. Next door to the St Martin’s Theatre. Low, three storey ashlar-faced elevation, curving into Tower Court. Restrained classical style with channelled pilasters carrying segmental pediments. Crowning parapet and balustrade with ball ornaments. Elegant auditorium, described in contemporary reports as being in Louis XVI style with ambassadorial crests and a colour scheme of Parma violet, ivory and gold. Apart from redecoration the auditorium has remained virtually intact. Circular ceiling with central chandelier; panelled border and deep cove penetrated by arches springing from fluted Ionic pilasters. Richly framed and festooned roundels with armorial decorations in arches. Flat basket-arched proscenium flanked by single tall boxes. Horse-shoe curved single balcony with raised tier at rear. An architecturally pleasing auditorium with an intimate atmosphere.

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• Events
  • 1913 Use: continuing
  • 1913 Design/Construction:
    • W G R Sprague - Architect
  • Owner/Management: See Diana Howard op. cit. (below) for managements up to 1950
• Capacities
  • Later: 1946: 419 1971: 453 1983: 460
  • Current: 425
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 20ft 6in min (raked near rear wall) Width SL: 22ft 9in (6.94m) SR: 22ft 9in (6.94m)
  • Proscenium width: 24ft 6in (7.47m)
  • Height to grid: 34ft (10.83m)
  • Orchestra pit: None