Lyric Opera House

• Theatre ID
  441
• Built / Converted
  1882
• Dates of use
  • 1882 - 1972
• Current state
  Demolished
• Current use
  demolished
• Address
  Bradmore Grove, Hammersmith & Fulham, London, W6, England

Details

The building in Bradmore Grove was externally of no architectural consequence. The unassuming (the word is almost too flattering) façe by Mason, modified by Francis, was retained and further modified by Matcham, who failed to introduce any striking new features, reserving all his originality and skill for the interior. The auditorium which, at the time of demolition, was one of Matcham's most endearing designs, was described in 1969 as 'one of the best examples of the fin-de-siecle theatre interior in London - one designed by a master of the art of theatre building' (Ashley Barker giving evidence at the public inquiry into the town centre redevelopment). The listed theatre should have been regarded as a 'fix' in the redevelopment and been given a suitable new setting but, in keeping with the temper of the time, it was disregarded until a stage had been reached where its retention would have made much of the advanced design work abortive. The inquiry decision, however, required that the interior should be recorded and key parts of the plaster work should be removed and stored for possible reuse. The local Council greatly redeemed its past disregard for the theatre by observing this condition in spirit as well as word. To the Council's credit, the Matcham auditorium was recreated in 1979 inside a new building (see separate entry for the Lyric Hammersmith).

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• Other names
  Lyric Hall, Lyric Opera House
• Events
  • 1882 - 1972 Use:
  • 1888 Design/Construction:
    • Isaac Martin - Architect
  • 1888 Alteration: as the Lyric Hall
    • Isaac Martin - Architect
  • 1890 - 0 Alteration: alterations and balcony added.
    • F H Francis - Architect
  • 1895 - 0 Alteration: radically rebuilt; virtually a new theatre.
    • Frank Matcham - Architect
  • 1907 - 0 Alteration: alterations (architect unknown).
  • 1972 - 0 Demolition: auditorium retained for later reconstruction.
  • 1979 - 0 Design/Construction: rebuilt on another site (see entry for Lyric Hammersmith).
• Capacities
  • Original: 550
  • Later: 1890?: increased 1895: 800
• Listings
  • Grade II - By present (1993) standards would have been Grade II*
• Stage type
  • Pros flat
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 18ft
  • Proscenium width: 24ft
  • Height to grid: 34ft
  • Orchestra pit: Original