Cambridge (London)

• Theatre ID
  1984
• Built / Converted
  1930
• Dates of use
  • 1930: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Earlham Street, Seven Dials, Camden, London, WC2 9HU, England
• Website
  • http://www.rutheatres.com/index

Details

The Cambridge is one of the theatres of the high point of the ‘little boom’ in West End theatre building, which started with the Fortune, 1924, and went on for just over a decade. The design is credited to Wimperis, Simpson and Guthrie, but the interior treatment was by Serge Chermayeff and it is possible that his influence went more than skin deep. The theatre occupies a corner site on Seven Dials. The main elevations are faced with Portland stone, the rear parts with brick. The corner entrance front and return elevations are flat ashlar, almost devoid of relief, with semi-circular openings at ground floor level and windows in regular ranks of varying sizes above. At first floor level there is a surprising touch of ornament, alternate windows having classical moulded surrounds with cornice hoods. Plain parapet, minimally articulated corner tower with open three-sided loggia around the set-back top storey, which rises just a little above the main façe. The interior was given a ghastly salmon-red paint-out and a jumble of unsuitable light fittings in 1950, but has since been redecorated by Carl Toms in a style more consonant with the original intention. The auditorium is spanned by a series of bold ‘acoustic’ arches with concealed lighting. There is a single, curving balcony front with geometric ornament, flowing into single wall-hung boxes with flat pelmets decorated with symbolic designs.

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• Events
  • 1930 Use: continuing
  • 1930 Design/Construction: Simpson & Guthrie with Serge Chermayeff
    • Wimperis - Architect
  • 1950 Alteration: redecorated internally; new light fittings installed
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1988 Alteration: redecorated and interior partially restored; stage enlarged
    • Carl Toms - Architect
  • 1930 Design/Construction:
    • Serge Chermayeff - Consultant: Interior Design And Decoration
  • 1930 Owner/Management: Bertie Mayer
  • Owner/Management: & see Diana Howard op. cit. for list of managements up to 1950
  • Owner/Management: Now: Stoll Moss
• Capacities
  • Original: 1255
  • Later: 1971: 1275
  • Current: 1230
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 9.14m
  • Proscenium width: 9m
  • Height to grid: 16.15m
  • Orchestra pit: Flexible