Apollo (London)

• Theatre ID
  2005
• Built / Converted
  1901
• Dates of use
  • 1901: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Shaftesbury Avenue, Westminster, London, W1D 7EZ, England

Details

This was Sharp’s only complete theatre (he made major alterations to Camberwell Palace in 1908) and it is externally quite unlike any other theatre of its time in London. It would look perfectly at home in Paris. Together with the Lyric, the Gielgud and the Queens, all grouped on the north side of Shaftesbury Avenue, the Apollo contributes to one of London’s most important theatre streetscapes. The main façe is in a free Renaissance style with a distinct Art Nouveau flavour; stone, in three main storeys with a tall attic above the cornice; three major bays, the outer two treated as pavilions with flat canted fronts around which the main cornice breaks. Prettily framed oeil-de-boeuf windows to the attic. The pavilion attics are treated as short, flat-domed towers with striking figure sculpture (pairs of winged female figures with flowing drapery) by T Simpson. Well restored iron and glass canopy over entrance. Flank and rear façes in red brick. Lively auditorium with splendid plaster enrichment in what was described as Louis XIV manner, somewhat interfered with by Shaufelberg in 1932. Three cantilever balconies (arguably one too many, producing sightline problems at several levels) terminating in elaborately modelled serpentine-fronted boxes. The angle of view from the upper balcony is said to be steepest in London. Proscenium arch with bold architrave moulding, lyre-buckled at intervals. Relief in tympanum over proscenium. Finely enriched oval ceiling on pendatives. Good foyer and anteroom to Royal Box. Modern stalls bar.

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• Events
  • 1901 Use: continuing
  • 1901 Design/Construction:
    • Lewen Sharp with H van Hooydonk - Architect
  • 1932 Alteration: altered internally
    • Ernest Shaufelberg - Architect
  • 1991 Alteration: old box office removed; minor alterations within entrance
    • Paul Jenkins (Stoll Moss house architect) - Architect
  • 1901 Design/Construction:
    • H van Hooydonk - Consultant: Auditorium Decoration
    • T Simpson - Consultant: Façade Sculpture
  • Owner/Management: For licensees up to 1950, see Diana Howard, op cit.
  • Owner/Management: Now: Stoll Moss Theatres
• Capacities
  • Original: 893
  • Current: 756
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Proscenium Flat
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 8.89m (52ft)
  • Proscenium width: 9.14m (30ft)
  • Height to grid: 15.85m (52ft)
  • Orchestra pit: Original
• Unreliable anecdotes
  Distinguish from Apollo Victoria (formerly New Victoria)