Royal Amphitheatre

• Theatre ID
  3273
• Built / Converted
  1867
• Dates of use
  • 1867 - 1886
• Current state
  Demolished
• Current use
  demolished
• Address
  Holborn, Camden, London, WC2, England

Details

Built on the site of the old Metropolitan Horse Bazaar, it had a shallow stage for theatrical performances, and a central arena with seats around. Behind the stalls seats was a ring of private boxes, and above this a gallery, giving a capacity of around 1700. A mixture of performances, starting with circus style, from 1873 presenting farce and ballet, and other drama. There were several changes of management, each one performing slight alterations/redecorating. In 1884 it closed after a riot, and when it reopened the next year, it had again been redecorated, this time with new seating - now 1000 gallery seats and 1000 pit seats. Closed as a theatre in 1886, and was used as a sporting club for some time. Damaged during the Second World War, it was later demolished.

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• Other names
  National Amphitheatre, Grand Central Skating Rink, Royal Connaught, Alcazar, International, Holborn
• Events
  • 1867 Design/Construction: (architect unknown).
  • 1867 - 1886 Use:
  • 1885 Alteration: redecorated, new gallery and pit seats added (architect unknown).
  • 1945 Demolition: bombed in WWII, later demolished.
• Capacities
  • Original: 1700
  • Later: over 2000
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed