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Adelphi

423

The Adelphi is an extraordinary complex of many periods. Although most of what is observed by the public dates from 1930 or later, the building incorporates the rear elevation, flank walls and roof construction of much earlier theatres. Nothing now remains of the Sans Pareil of 1806, the Beazley façade of 1840 or the auditoria of 1848 (M D Wyatt), 1858 (T H Wyatt) or 1900 (Runtz & Ford). The Royal entrance in Maiden Lane is probably of 1868-9, a surviving alteration by Joseph Lavender to the 1858 theatre. The remainder of this frontage is probably of 1882 (? by Chadwick). Part of Chadwick’s classical façade of 1887 (once the Adelphi Restaurant) can be seen in the Strand alongside the theatre, but no longer forming part of it, where it makes an interesting contrast with Schaufelberg’s geometric 1930 front.

Given the Adelphi’s record of successive reincarnations, the many-windowed, somewhat domestic Maiden Lane elevation is a remarkable survival. The Royal entrance, close to the door where William Terriss was murdered in 1897, adjoined the site of the notorious Cyder Cellars concert room, a proto-music hall rebuilt in the 1840s, later used as a rehearsal room by Diaghilev. The Strand façade, interfered with by Bennett in 1937 and later obliterated by signage, has been restored by Jaques Muir & Partners (1993) to a form closer to Schaufelberg’s 1930 design. Described in their time as ‘bizarre and opulent’, the Schaufelberg interiors are now perceived to be of considerable interest as good, if low-key, examples of a new design philosophy (presently lumped with much contemporary work as ‘Art Deco’). The sensitive 1993 restorations were accompanied by quite extensive new works which successfully picked up the Schaufelberg decorative vocabulary with its ordered geometrical black, mirror glass and chromium plate forms and the warm veneered surfaces in the auditorium. The incorporation of modern equipment has been achieved without damaging the original design concept. Within the stage house and the orchestra pit, radical reconstruction was necessary in 1993 to accommodate a technically highly complex production. The last fragments of the 1930s revolve were removed at this time.

Built / Converted
1868
Dates of use
  • 1806 : continuing
Current state
Extant
Current use
Theatre
Address
The Strand, London, Westminster, WC2E 7NN, England
Further details
Other names
Sans Pareil , Theatre Royal (New) Adelphi , Century Theatre , Royal Adelphi
Events
  • Owner/Management: Selective list only: see published records (Diana Howard, op.cit)
  • 1806 Use: continuing
  • 1806 Design/Construction:
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1806 Owner/Management: Miss Scott
  • 1814 Alteration: redecorated & new front constructed
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1819 Owner/Management: Jones & Rodwell
  • 1825 Owner/Management: Daniel Terry & Frederick Yates
  • 1838 Alteration: auditorium raised
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1840 Alteration: new façade constructed
    Samuel Beazley
    - Architect
  • 1844 Owner/Management: Ben Webster
  • 1848 Alteration: partially reconstructed with new auditorium
    M Digby Wyatt
    - Architect
  • 1858 Alteration: completely rebuilt
    T H Wyatt & Stephen Salter
    - Architect
  • 1858 Design/Construction:
    Sang & Parsons
    - Consultant
    decorators
  • 1869 Alteration: altered; new Royal entrance constructed
    Joseph Lavender
    - Architect
  • 1878 Owner/Management: A & S Gatti
  • 1879 Alteration: renovated
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1879 Design/Construction:
    Crossley & Allen
    - Consultant
    decorators
  • 1882 Alteration: backstage rebuilt
    probably John Clemence
    - Architect
  • 1887 Alteration: enlarged, with new façade
    Spencer Chadwick
    - Architect
  • 1891 - 1893 Alteration: Array altered
    W B Pinhay
    - Architect
  • 1900 Owner/Management: George Edwards
  • 1901 Alteration: again largely reconstructed with extended façade
    Ernest Runtz & Ford
    - Architect
  • 1916 Owner/Management: Alfred Butt
  • 1921 Owner/Management: William Cooper & others
  • 1926 Owner/Management: William Gaunt
  • 1930 Alteration: extensively rebuilt
    Ernest Schaufelberg
    - Architect
  • 1930 Design/Construction:
    Lalique
    - Consultant
    light fittings
  • 1937 Alteration: façade altered
    T P Bennett
    - Architect
  • 1943 Owner/Management: Jack Hylton
  • 1984 Owner/Management: James Nederlander
  • 1992 Owner/Management: Nederlander & Really Useful Group
  • 1993 Alteration: restored & improved
    Jaques Muir & Partners
    - Architect
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1901: 1100
    1930: 1571
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    1486
Listings
  • Listing
    II
Stage type
Pros flat
Building dimensions: Site irregular dimensions : 72m (236ft) deep, 28m (92ft) wide
Stage dimensions: Depth: 12.3m (40ft 4in) SL 16.6m (54ft 6in) Width SL: 10.2m (33ft 6in) SR: 9.8m (32ft 2in)
Proscenium width: 10.5m (35ft 7in)
Height to grid: 18.03m (59ft 2in)
Inside proscenium: 10.4m (34ft 2in)
Orchestra pit: Enlarged. Flexible