Camden Theatre

• Theatre ID
  2003
• Built / Converted
  1901
• Dates of use
  • 1901: Until when not known.
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Licensed premises (nightclub)
• Address
  1a Camden High Street (and Crowndale Road), Camden, London, NW1 7JE, England

Details

Symmetrical stone façe in free classical manner. Large copper dome, now lacking its open lantern. Still an imposing corner building, viewed across a busy road junction. Radical internal alterations were carried out when the theatre was converted to disco use. Despite this, and the usual proliferation of lights, it remains a beautiful auditorium with two partly cantilevered balconies (gallery now closed and levelled through to front of building to form new public room). Modelled plasterwork by Waring & Gillow. Marble proscenium arch with segmental pediment and, on either side, marble columns rising from caryatids, defining four bays, containing boxes at three levels. Shallow domed ceiling. The alterations included the laying of a dance floor covering a large part of the stalls area and penetrating the deeply cutaway stage, unfortunately all in determinedly permanent construction. Balconies have been formed over the stage. The floor level at the front of the dress circle has been raised, necessitating a guard rail above the original circle front. Small, elaborate foyer (bronze plaque of Ellen Terry), above which was originally a ‘promenade and winter garden’. Proscenium 9.75m (32ft) wide. Despite the extensive conversion works, the theatre would be perfectly capable of restoration to theatrical use. Sadly, the expense of such a re-conversion has been unnecessarily increased by the nature of the 1981 alterations.

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• Other names
  Camden Hippodrome, Royal Camden, Music Machine, Camden Palace, KOKO
• Events
  • 1901 Use: Until when not known.
  • 1901 Design/Construction:
    • W G R Sprague - Architect
  • 1981 Alteration: converted to discotheque
    • Michael Gibson Assoc - Architect
  • 1994 Alteration: refurbished and reconstructed internally
    • Maddocks Chadwick - Architect
  • 1901 Design/Construction:
    • Waring & Gillow - Consultant: Plasterwork
  • 1994 Design/Construction:
    • Roy Worskett - Consultant: Consultant On Architectural Treatment
  • Owner/Management: For licensees from 1901 to 1945 see Diana Howard, op cit.
  • Owner/Management: Was a cinema by 1924
  • Owner/Management: From ?1960s-1972 a BBC sound radio studio
  • 1981 Owner/Management: F & H Entertainments
  • 1988 Owner/Management: by European Leisure
• Capacities
  • Later: 1912: 2500 1980: est. 1400
  • Current: est. 1400
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 11m (36ft)
  • Proscenium width: 10m (32ft)