Owners, Proprietors, Developers/Promoters, Architects, Decorators, Builders, Contractors

as listed in Diana Howard, London Theatres & Music Halls: 1850-1950 The Library Association, 1970

Compiled & Edited by Graeme Cruickshank

Note: References in this Index are to Diana Howard’s Serial Nos. not to page numbers.

Th. = Theatre, Th. R. = Theatre Royal, MH = Music Hall, PH = Public House

Where possible, I have endeavoured to give the names of the venues as they were at the times of the particular licences, but there may be some errors.

There may be some confusion in the designation of the status of “Owners”, “Proprietors” and “Developers/Promoters.”

Individual names should be searched under all these headings.  There are separate indices to individual and company Licensees

N.B. “builders” sometimes listed as “contractors”.

Refer directly to Howard’s entries for further information, including former and later names of buildings. licence refusals, etc. -Ed.

Owners Date Establishment Howard serial no.
Abrahams, A.E. 1919 Aldwych Theatre 17
Adams, Ronald 1932 Embassy Theatre 265
Astley, Philip 1784 Astley’s Theatre [Royal Saloon, Davis’s Royal/Sangster’s Amphitheatre, etc., etc.] 38
1805 Olympic Pavilion [Olympic Theatre ­ 1st building] 549
Barnard, Charles 1908 Elephant and Castle Theatre [Th. Royal, Elephant and Castle] 264
Barrasford, Thomas 1904 Britannia Theatre 105
Beecham, Joseph 1911 Aldwych Theatre 17
Beecham, Sir Thomas c.1917 Aldwych Theatre 17
Bennett, H.G.D. 1905 Alexandra Theatre (Stoke Newington) 20
Carte, see: D’Oyly Carte
Central School of Speech & Drama 1957 Embassy Theatre 265
Cowen, Laurence 1924 Fortune Theatre 285
D’Oyly Carte, Richard 1891 Royal English Opera House [Palace Theatre] 554
Duchess Theatre Ltd. 1930 Duchess Theatre 221
Drummond, George 1910 Little Theatre 458
Embassy Theatre Ltd. 1928 Embassy Theatre 265
Promoted by John Herbert Jay
Hackney & Shepherd’s Bush Empires Ltd. 1917 Alexandra Theatre (Stoke Newington) 20
Langtry, Mrs. 1901 Imperial Theatre [formerly (Royal) Aquarium Theatre] 396
Law, Guarantee, Trust and Accident Society c.1909 Aldwych Theatre 17
Mapleson, Mr. [due to be lessee for thirty years] c.1881 National Opera House (Victoria Embankment) (building never completed) 511
New Bioscope Trading Co. 1910 West London Theatre [Royal Marylebone Theatre, etc.] 853
Purcell, F.W. 1897 Alexandra Theatre (Stoke Newington) 20
Rea, Alec 1930 Embassy Theatre 265
RKO 1931 Leicester Square Theatre (of Varieties) 453
Shelley, Sir Percy F. 1882 Shelley Theatre 729
West End and Country Theatres, Ltd. 1929 Duchess Theatre 221
Proprietors Date Establishment Howard serial no.
Astley, Philip 1784 Astley’s Theatre [Royal Saloon, Davis’s Royal/Sangster’s Amphitheatre, etc., etc.] 38
Butterfield, J.W. c.1880 Green Lane Music Hall [St. Mary’s Temperance Hall & Green Lane Schools] 341
Congreve, William 1705 Queen’s Theatre (Haymarket) 375
Ellis, James ? 1851 Flora Gardens 280
Evans, W.C. ? Evan’s Music-and-Supper Rooms [Grand Hotel/Falstaff Club] 273
Hammerstein, Oscar 1911 London Opera House [Stoll Theatre, etc.] 764
Hamlet, Mr. 1828 Royal Bazaar, British Diorama & Exhibition of Works of Art
[later Queen’s Bazaar and site of Princess’s Theatre] 616
Mapleson, Mr. [due to be lessee for thirty years] c.1881 National Opera House (Victoria Embankment) (building never completed) 511
Miller, H.H. 1864 Miller’s Grand Music Hall 495
Morris, David 1821 Theatre Royal in the Haymarket 371
Potter, John 1720 Little Theatre in the Haymarket 371
Rhodes, ? [see no. 207] 1820s Coal Hole PH 164
Taylor, William 1791 King’s Theatre (Haymarket) 375
Wilton, J. ? City Music Hall [Dr. Johnson’s Concert Room / Albert Club] 152
Developers/Promoters Date Establishment Howard serial no.
Albery, Bronson 1927 see: Payne, Walter and Gillespie, W.E.
Ambassadors’ Theatre Ltd. (originally Casino Theatre Ltd.)
Directors: J.F.H. & A.C. Jay and Prince Littler 1913 Ambassadors’ Theatre 25
Arnold, Dr. 1795 Lyceum Theatre (building commenced but not completed)
Arnold, S.J. [son of above] 1809 (completed theatre for English Opera) 476
Astley, Philip 1784 Astley’s Theatre [Royal Saloon, Davis’s Royal/Sangster’s Amphitheatre, etc., etc 38
1805 Olympic Pavilion [Olympic Theatre ­ 1st building] 549
Barrasford Ltd. 1899 see: London Theatre of Varieties and Barrasford Ltd.
Bond, Christopher and Spiers, Felix 1874 Criterion Theatre (first building) 186
Bruce, Edgar 1884 Prince’s / Prince of Wales Theatre (Coventry Street, Piccadilly) (1st building 607
Buchanan, Jack in association with Gibbons, Walter 1930 Leicester Square Theatre (of Varieties) 453
Carlton Theatre Co. 1927 Carlton Theatre 134
Carte, see: D’Oyly Carte
Casino Theatre Ltd. 1913 see:Ambassadors’ Theatre Ltd.
Chelsea Palace Syndicate 1903 Chelsea Palace 144
Collins, Sam [Samuel Vagg] 1856 Marylebone Music Hall 491
Conaughton, Miss ?1856 Pavilion Theatre (Stepney) – 2nd building 560
Conquest, Benjamin ?1831 Garrick Theatre (Leman Street, Whitechapel), 1st building 300
1858 Grecian Theatre (rebuild) 336
Cowen, Laurence 1924 Fortune Theatre 285
Crowder, C.S. 1871 Crowder’s M.H. (Greenwich) [Rose & Crown PH ­ rebuilt 346
Crowder, C. and Payne, G. [and Builder] 1885 Mile End Empire [Eagle PH, Lusby’s MH, Paragon MH, etc.] (rebuilt) 494
D’Oyly Carte, Richard 1891 Royal English Opera House [Palace Theatre] 554
Frohman, Charles and Hicks, Seymour
. . in association with Jacobus-Marler Estates Ltd. 1906 Hicks Theatre (Shaftesbury Ave.) [Globe Th./Gielgud Th.] 317
Gibbon, Arthur 1929 Duchess Theatre 221
Gibbons, Walter and Gulliver, Charles 1911 Lewisham Hippodrome 454
Gibbons, Walter in association with Buchanan, Jack 1930 Leicester Square Theatre (of Varieties) 453
Gilbert, W.S. 1889 Garrick Theatre (Charing Cross Rd.) 299
Gillespie, Richard Henry 1929 Dominion Theatre 219
Gillespie, W.E. 1927 see: Payne, Walter and Albery, Bronson
Gooch, Walter 1880 Princess’s Theatre (3rd building) 616
Gulliver, Charles and Gibbons, Walter 1911 Lewisham Hippodrome 454
Hammerstein, Oscar 1911 London Opera House [Stoll Theatre, etc.] 764
Hay Hill Syndicate 1930 Prince Edward Theatre [London Casino / Casino Theatre] 135
Hawtrey, Anthony 1945 Embassy Theatre 265
Hicks, Seymour 1905 Aldwych Theatre 17
Hicks, Seymour and Frohman, Charles
. . in association with Jacobus-Marler Estates Ltd. 1906 Hicks Theatre (Shaftesbury Ave.) [Globe Th./Gielgud Th.] 317
Hingston 1906 Putney Hippodrome [Putney Empire Palace of Varieties] 619
[“built by Hingston on corporate ground”]
Jacobus-Marler Estates Ltd, and Frohman, Charles
. . in association with Hicks, Seymour 1906 Hicks Theatre (Shaftesbury Ave.) [Globe Th./Gielgud Th.] 317
Jay, A.C. 1913 see: Ambassadors’ Theatre Ltd.
Jay, J.F.H. 1913 see: Ambassadors’ Theatre Ltd.
Jay, John Herbert 1928 see: Embassy Theatre Ltd. [under OWNERS]
Lane, Samuel ?1858 Britannia Theatre 105
Lanza, Gesvalso c.1820 (Royal) Panharmonium 434
Leslie, Henry J. 1888 Lyric Theatre (Shaftesbury Avenue) 478
Littler, Prince 1913 see: Ambassadors’ Theatre Ltd
London Theatre of Varieties and Barrasford Ltd. 1899 Royal Duchess Th. [Balham Hippodrome] 46
Lowenfeld, Henry 1901 Apollo Theatre 33
Mapleson, Colonel 1877 His Majesty’s Theatre (Haymarket) 375
Moss Empires Ltd. 1900 London Hippodrome 462
1910 Finsbury Park Empire 278
Mulholland, John Brennan 1894 Metropole Theatre [Camberwell Empire] 123
Parry, Sefton 1866 Duke’s Theatre [Royal Holborn Th., Mirror Th., etc.] 244
1886 Globe Theatre (Newcastle Street, Strand) [Royal Globe Theatre] 316
Payne, G. and Crowder, C. [and Builder] 1885 Mile End Empire [Eagle PH, Lusby’s MH, Paragon MH, etc.] (rebuilt) 494
Payne, Walter; Albery, Bronson and Gillespie, W.E. 1927 Arts Theatre Club 35
Purcell, F.W. 1903 Marlborough Theatre 488
Rosoman, Thomas 1879 Sadler’s Wells Theatre (2nd building) 702
Spiers, Felix and Bond, Christopher 1874 Criterion Theatre (first building) 186
Stoll, Oswald 1904 London Coliseum 461
Thornton, R.C. 1861 Bedford Music Hall 58
Tree, Herbert Beerbohm 1897 Her Majesty’s Theatre (Haymarket) 375
Vagg, Samuel [Sam Collins] 1856 Marylebone Music Hall 491
Weston, Charles[?] 1857 Weston’s Music Hall [later Holborn Empire] 376
Wyatt, Frank and Melnotte, Violet 1892 Trafalgar Square Theatre [Duke of York’s Theatre] 243
Architects Date Establishment Howard serial no.
Atkinson, Robert 1926 Vaudeville Theatre (3rd building) 830
Barr, Ewen S. 1929 Duchess Theatre 221
Barry, Edward M. 1858 Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden [Royal Opera House](third building) 182
Bear 1897 see: Drew, Bear, Perks & Co
Beazley, Samuel 1812 Lyceum Theatre (4th Building) 476
1822 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (reconstruction of interior) 220
1834 Lyceum Theatre (5th Building) 476
1835 St. James’s Theatre 705
1841 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (reconstruction of interior) 220
[?] 1835 City of London Theatre 156
1840 Adelphi Theatre (new façade) 6
Bedborough, A. 1876 Royal Aquarium Theatre [later Imperial Theatre] 396
Bedells 1887 see: Lander and Bedells, Messrs.
Bennett & Sons, T.P. 1931 Saville Theatre (Designed by Consultant Architect ­ Bertie Crewe) 715
Beverley, S. 1927 see: Verity, F.T. and Beverley, S.
Billeney, Ferdinand 1882 see: Blow, Detmar and Billeney, Ferdinand
Blow, Detmar and Billeney, Ferdinand 1882 The Playhouse (rebuild of (Royal) Avenue Theatre) 588
Bolton, Mr., of Lincoln’s inn Field 1883 Gatti’s Palace of Varieties [Gatti’s-over-the-Water, etc.] rebuild 303
Bridg[e]man, Albert 1872 Imperial Theatre (proposed theatre, Newington Causeway) 395
1876 Canterbury Hall (reconstruction) 129
Brutton, W.M. 1897 Alhambra Theatre (new ‘grand entrance’) 22
1898 Hammersmith Palace of Varieties [reconstruction of Town Hall & Temple of Varieties] 363
Bull, J. & A.E. [succeeded Thomas Verity q.v.] 1884 Pandora Th./ Empire Th. (Leicester Square) 266
Burton, Decimus 1824-6 Colosseum, Regent’s Park 169
Bushill, F.W. 1805 Olympic Pavilion [Olympic Theatre ­ 2nd building] 549
Cabanel, Rudolf (of Aachen) 1818 Royal Coburg Theatre [‘Old Vic’] 545
Cabannall, Jnr., Mr. 1805 Surrey Theatre (2nd building) 778
Carrick, Edward 1930 Leicester Square Theatre (of Varieties) (interior redesigned for RKO) 453
Chadwick, Green 1879 Royal Adelphi Theatre (renovations) 6
Chadwick, Spencer 1887 Royal Adelphi Theatre (reconstruction) 6
1893 Daly’s Theatre 209
Chancellor, F.G.M.. 1931 Sadler’s Wells Theatre (4th building) 702
Clark, E. 1888 Alhambra Theatre (2nd building – redecoration) 22
Clark and Pollard, Messrs. 1892 Alhambra Theatre (recontruction) 22
Collcutt, T.E. and Holloway, G.H. 1891 Royal English Opera House [Palace Theatre] 554
Crewe, Bertie 1896-98 Bedford Music Hall (reconstruction) 58
1898 Queen’s Theatre [Apollo MH, Albion/Oriental Th., etc.] (Poplar) (reconstruction) 624
1900 Grand Theatre and Opera House [Woolwich Hippodrome] 903
1904 Lyceum Theatre (6th Building) 476
1911 Prince’s Theatre [Shaftesbury Theatre] 612
1911 London Opera House [Stoll Theatre, etc.] 764
1931 Saville Theatre (Consultant Architect) 715
Crewe, Bertie and Sprague, W.G.R. 1889 Shoreditch Olympia [Royal / New Standard Th., etc.] 740
1890 (New) Olympic Theatre ­ 3rd building] 549
1894 Metropole Theatre [Camberwell Empire] 123
Crewe, Bertie and Stone, Edward A. 1928 Piccadilly Theatre 581
Crewe, Bertie, Scott, Sir Giles Gilbert and Masey, Cecil 1930 Phoenix Theatre (Charing Cross Road) 580
Crewe, W.R – Emden, Walter and. 1888 Royal Court Theatre 679
Cromie, Robert 1937 Prince of Wales Theatre (Coventry Street, Piccadilly) (2nd building) 607
Dean & Son and Matthews 1872 Elephant and Castle Theatre [Th. Royal, Elephant and Castle] (1st building) 264
Dixon-Spain, J.E. 1934 see: C. Nicholas & J.E. Dixon-Spain
Drew, Bear, Perks & Co. 1897 Collins’ Th. of Varieties [Collins’ Music Hall] 168
Easton & Roberts 1938 see: Hall, Stanley and …
Elliott and Warren 1874 Imperial Theatre (Newington Causeway, partly constructed, never used) 395
Ellis, John 1864 Strand Theatre (enlargement) 766
1865 Surrey Theatre (3rd building) 778
Emblin-Walker, F. 1908 Palace Theatre of Varieties (gallery reconstructed) 554
Emblin-Walker, F. assisted by Jones, F. Edward 1922 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (reconstruction of interior) 220
Emden, Walter 1871 Belgravia Theatre (interior altered) [New Chelsea Th. / Court Th.] 181
1887 Terry’s Theatre 796
1892 Trafalgar Square Theatre [Duke of York’s Theatre] 243
1898 Imperial Theatre [formerly (Royal) Aquarium Theatre] (extensive alterations) 396
1905 Tivoli Music Hall (alterations) 813
Emden, Walter and Crewe, W.R. 1888 Royal Court Theatre 679
Emden, Walter with Phipps, C.J. 1889 Garrick Theatre (Charing Cross Rd.) 299
Field, Samuel 1858 Strand Theatre (redecoration) 766
Finch Hill ?1844 Evan’s Music-and-Supper Rooms [Grand Hotel/Falstaff Club] 273
Finch, Hill and Paraire ?1858 Britannia Theatre 105
1860 Philharmonic Hall [later Islington Empire, Grand Th., etc.] 400
1861 Oxford Theatre [Oxford Music Hall] _ 1st building 552
1866 Duke’s Theatre [Royal Holborn Th., Mirror Th., etc.] 244
Finch and Paraire, Messrs. 1857 Weston’s Music Hall [later Holborn Empire] 376
Finden and Lewis, Messrs 1854 Panopticon of Art & Science [Alhambra Th.] 22
Ford, George MacLean and Runtz, Ernest 1903 Gaiety Theatre (Aldwych) 296
Foster 1900 see: Murray and
Foster, F.W. 1907 Kingsway Theatre (alterations to Great Queen St. Th.) 443
Fowler, Francis [H.] 1870 Opera Comique 550
c.1875 National Opera House (Victoria Embankment) (building never completed) 511
1882 (Royal) Avenue Theatre [The Playhouse] 588
Fowler and Hall 1895 Opera Comique (reconstruction) 550
Francis, Messrs F. & H. 1888 Albert Palace 8
Geary, Stephen c.1820 King’s Cross Theatre [Panharmonium, Regent Theatre, etc.] 434
Greatback, G.H. 1892 Proposed variety theatre (not built) (on site of later Leicester Sq. Th. of Var., 1930) 453
Griffiths, R.W. 1862 Th. Royal, Westminster [Astley’s Th.] (6th building, reconstructed) 38
Guthrie 1930 see: Wimperis, Simpson & Guthrie
Hall 1895 see: Fowler and Hall
Hall, Stanley and Easton & Roberts 1938 Sadler’s Wells Theatre (extension to 4th building of 1931) 702
Hancock, Mr. 1895 Rose & Crown Palace of Varieties (Greenwich) [Crowder’s MH ­ rebuilt] 346
Hancock, W. ?1900 Balham Empire 45
Harvey 1870 see: Nelson & Harvey
Hayward and Maynard, Messrs. 1910 Little Theatre 458
Hill see: Finch Hill
Holloway, G.H and Collcutt, T.E. 1891 Royal English Opera House [Palace Theatre] 554
Horder, P. Morley 1927 Arts Theatre Club 35
Jackson, A. Blomfield 1900 St. James’s Theatre (reconstruction) 705
Jones, F. Edward 1922 see: Emblin-Walker, F.
Jones, Horace 1856 Surrey Music Hall (Royal Surrey Gardens MH) 777
Keeling, E. Basset 1862 Strand Musick Hall [rebuilt as Gaiety Theatre, 1868] 295
Kenny, Sean 1966 New London Theatre planned for site of Winter Garden Th. 896
Lamb, Thomas W. 1928 see: Matcham, Frank and …
Lander and Bedells, Messrs. 1887 Holborn Empire (alterations) 376
Lang [?Long] 1900/03 see: Wylson and Lang, Messrs.
Lee, Charles, Sons and Pain 1877 His Majesty’s Theatre (Haymarket) 375
Lewis 1854 see: Finden and … , Messrs.
Long [?Lang] 1900/03 see: Wylson and Lang, Messrs
Maggs, Jacob 1858 Wilton’s Music Hall [Albion Saloon / Mahogany Bar] 886
Masey, Cecil 1930 see: Bertie Crewe, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and Cecil Masey
Mason, Isaac 1888 Lyric Opera House (Hammersmith) [Lyric Hall / Lyric Theatre] 477
Matcham, Frank 1879 Elephant and Castle Theatre (2nd building) 264
1883 Philharmonic Theatre (2nd building) [later Grand Th., etc.] 400
1885 Lusby’s MH / Paragon MH [Eagle PH, Mile End Empire, etc.] (rebuilt) 494
1888 Grand Theatre (3rd building) [formerly Philharmonic Th., later Islington Empire] 400
1894 London Music Hall [ [Griffin MH, Shoreditch Empire, etc.] (reconstruction) 739
1895 Lyric Opera House [Lyric Th.] (Hammersmith) (reconstruction) 477
1896 Brixton Theatre 108
1897 Alexandra Theatre (Stoke Newington) 20
1897 Metropolitan Theatre (rebuilt) 493
1898 Granville Theatre of Varieties 333
1899 New Cross Empire [Deptford Empire Th. of Varieties] 516
1899 Barnard’s Theatre [Woolwich Empire, etc.] (reconstruction) 902
1900 London Hippodrome 462
1901 Grand Theatre (4th building) [formerly Philharmonic Th., later Islington Empire] 400
1901 Hackney Empire 359
1903 Marlborough Theatre (Islington) 488
1903 Shepherd’s Bush Empire 730
1904 London Coliseum 461
1905 Terry’s Theatre (alterations) 796
1906 Holborn Empire (alterations) 376
1910 Hammersmith Palace of Varieties (alterations) 363
1910 Palladium Theatre [London Palladium] 463
1911 Victoria Palace 834
1911 Lewisham Hippodrome 454
1911 New Middlesex Th. of Varieties [Winter Garden Th., 1919] 896
Matcham, Frank and Lamb Thomas W. 1928 Empire Cinema (Empire Th., Leicester Square, rebuilt) 266
Mather, Andrew 1930 Leicester Square Theatre (of Varieties) 453
Matthews 1872 see: Dean & Son and –
Maynard 1910 see: Hayward and Maynard, Messrs.
Meeson, F.R. 1871 Athenaeum (Islington) 39
Milburn, William & T.R. 1929 Dominion Theatre 219
Murray & Foster (under John Murray) 1900 Great Queen Street Theatre (reconstruction of Novelty Th.) 443
Nelson, T.M. ?1840 Princess’s Theatre (“designed by”) (1st building) 616
Nelson & Harvey, Messrs. 1870 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (alterations) 220
Nicholas, C. & Dixon-Spain, J.E. 1934 London Pavilion (Piccadilly Circus) (conversion to cinema) 465
Owen and Ward 1905 [New Eldorado] (New) Prince’s Theatre [Poplar Hippodrome] 589
Paice, William 1869 South London Music Hall / Palace of Varieties (2nd building) 751
Pain; Charles Lee, Sons and 1877 His Majesty’s Theatre (Haymarket) 375
Palgrave & Co. 1899 Kilburn Palace (rebuilt) 415
Paraire ?1858 see: Finch Hill and Paraire / Finch and Paraire
Paraire, E.L. 1873 Oxford Theatre [Oxford Music Hall] _ 3rd building 552
Payne, James 1765 The Lyceum (for Society of Artists) 476
Peebles, Alexander 1882 Court Theatre (alterations) [New Chelsea Th./ Belgravia Th.] 181
Percival, D.H. 1897-98 (Royal) Cambridge Music Hall (rebuild after fire) 677
Perks 1897 see: Drew, Bear, Perks & Co
Perry, John and Reed, Frederick 1883 Alhambra Theatre (2nd building) 22
Peto, Walter S. and Whiting, Frank E. 1911 Comedy Theatre (alterations) 170
Phipps, C.J. 1867 Queen’s Theatre (Long Acre) (conversion from St. Martin’s Hall) 623
1868 Gaiety Theatre (The Strand) 295
1869 Variety Theatre [Harwood’s MH, Mortimer’s Th., etc.] 829
1870 Vaudeville Theatre 830
1879 Haymarket, Theatre Royal (reconstruction) 371
1879 Sadler’s Wells Theatre (3rd building ­ reconstruction) 702
1880 Princess’s Theatre (3rd building) 616
1881 Savoy Theatre (1st building) 716
1882 Strand Theatre (reconstruction) 766
1884 Prince’s / Prince of Wales Theatre
(Coventry Street, Piccadilly) (1st building) 607
1884 Hengler’s Grand Cirque / National Skating Palace (Argyll Street) 463
1888 Lyric Theatre (Shaftesbury Avenue) 478
1888 Shaftesbury Theatre 725
1890 Tivoli Music Hall 813
1891 Vaudeville Theatre (2nd building) 830
? Folly / Toole’s Theatre (new frontage) 814
Pollard 1892 see: Clark and Pollard, Messrs.
Reed, Frederick 1883 see: Perry, John and Reed, Frederick
Roberts, Easton & 1938 see: Hall, Stanley and …
Robins, Edward C. 1869 Royal Denmark Th. (Leicester Sq., site of later Empire Th.) 266
Robinson, J.T. 1871 Hengler’s Grand Cirque (Argyll Street) 463
1871 New Victoria Palace [‘Old Vic’] (reconstruction) 545
1872 Th. Royal, Westminster [Astley’s Th.] (6th building, further reconstructed) 38
1872 Clapton Park Theatre [Hackney Theatre] 360
1873 Alexandra Theatre [Regents Park Th., (Royal) Park Th. etc 557
1874 Pavilion Theatre (Stepney) – 2nd building (reconstruction) 560
1876-77 Grecian Theatre ([?2nd] rebuild) 336
Rowley, A.H. 1864 Royal Alhambra Palace [Alhambra Th.] (alterations) 22
Rowntree, Douglas W. 1950 ‘Old Vic’ (reconstruction) 545
Runtz, Ernest 1894 Pavilion Theatre (Stepney) – 2nd building (large alterations) 560
1898 Crown Theatre [Peckham Hippodrome / Gaumont Cinema] 563
1901 Century Theatre [Adelphi Th.] 6
Runtz, Ernest, and Ford, George MacLean 1903 Gaiety Theatre (Aldwych) 296
Sachs, E.O. 1900-02 Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (alterations) 182
Saunders, J.E. 1885 London Pavilion (Piccadilly Circus) 465
Schaufelberg, Ernest 1924 Fortune Theatre 285
1930 Royal Adelphi Theatre 6
Scott, Sir Giles Gilbert 1930 see: Bertie Crewe, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and Cecil Masey
Sharp, Lewin 1901 Apollo Theatre 33
Simmonds, G.H. ?1856 Pavilion Theatre (Stepney) – 2nd building 560
Simpson 1930 see: Wimperis, Simpson & Guthrie
Smith, Thomas 1867 New Royal Amphitheatre [later Holborn Theatre, etc.] 377
Somerford, T.R. and Stone, E.A. 1937 Warner Theatre (cinema) [Daly’s Theatre] 209
Sprague, W.G.R. [see also: Licensees] 1894 see: Crewe, Bertie and Sprague, W.G.R.
1896 Shakespeare Theatre and Opera House (Battersea) 727
1897 Grand Theatre (Fulham) [Fulham Theatre, Shilling Theatre] 329
1898 Coronet Theatre 178
1898 Princess of Wales’ Theatre [Kennington Theatre] 412
1899 Royal Duchess Th. [Balham Hippodrome] 46
1899 Terriss’ Theatre [Rotherhithe Hippodrome] 674
1899 Wyndham’s Theatre 905
1899 Empire Theatre of Varieties [Holloway Empire] 380
1900 Broadway Theatre 109
1901 Camden Theatre 127
1902 King’s Theatre (Hammersmith) 421
1903 New Theatre [Albery Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre] 514
1904 Royal Artillery Theatre and Opera House (rebuild after fire) 676
1905 Aldwych Theatre 17
1905 Waldorf Theatre [Whitney Th., Strand Th., Novello Th.] 765
1906 Hicks Theatre (Shaftesbury Ave.) [Globe Th./Gielgud Th.] 317
1908 Queen’s Theatre (Shaftesbury Avenue) 626
1913 Ambassadors’ Theatre 25
1916 St. Martin’s Theatre 709
Sprague, W.G.R and Crewe, Bertie 1890 (New) Olympic Theatre ­ 3rd building 549
1894 Metropole Theatre [Camberwell Empire] 123
Stone, Edward Albert [see also: Licensees] 1928 see: Bertie Crewe and Edward A. Stone [Piccadilly Theatre]
1930 Prince Edward Theatre [London Casino / Casino Theatre] 135
1930 Whitehall Theatre 884
. . and Somerford, T.R. 1937 Warner Theatre (cinema) [Daly’s Theatre] 209
Tasker, J.R. 1881 St. George’s Hall [Matinee Th., Maskelyne’s Th., etc.] (alterations) 703
Taylor, Mr. ?1851 Batty’s Hippodrome [Royal Hippodrome] 52
Taylor, John, Jnr. 1867 St. George’s Hall [Matinee Th., Maskelyne’s Th., etc.] 703
Thomas, John I. 1881/2 Folly Theatre [later Toole’s Theatre] (enlarged) 814
Tugwell, Frank A. 1929 Savoy Theatre (2nd building) 716
Verity, Thomas 1874 Criterion Theatre (first building) 186
1879 St. James’s Theatre (alterations) 705
1881 (Royal) Comedy Theatre 170
1882 Pandora Th./Empire Th. (Leicester Square) [succeeded by J. & A.E. Bull, q.v.] 266
1882 Novelty Theatre 443
1883 Royalty Theatre (Soho) (interior reconstruction) 699
1884 Criterion Theatre (second building) 186
Verity, F.T. 1901 Imperial Theatre [formerly (Royal) Aquarium Theatre] (reconstructed) 396
1904 Scala Theatre (rebuild of former Prince of Wales Th.) 717
Verity, F.T. and Beverley, S. 1927 Carlton Theatre 134
Villiers, F[rank] 1876 Canterbury Hall (reconstruction ‹ designed & patented sliding roof) 129
1893 Empire Theatre (Leicester Square) (new foyer erected) 266
Walker see: Emblin-Walker
Ward 1905 see: Owen and Ward
Warren 1874 see: Elliott and Warren
Whiting, Frank E. and Peto, Walter S. 1911 Comedy Theatre (alterations) 170
Wimperis, Simpson & Guthrie 1930 Cambridge Theatre 125
Woodrow, E.A.E. 1899 Camberwell Palace 124
1900 New Grand Theatre of Varieties [Grand Theatre] (Clapham Junction) 330
Wyatt, T.H. 1858 Th. Royal, Adelphi (2nd building) 6
Wylson and Long [?Lang], Messrs. 1893 Oxford Theatre [Oxford Music Hall] _ 4th building 552
1898 Dalston Th. of Varieties (reconstruction) 208
1898 Empress Th. of Varieties [Empress M.H./Granada Cinema] 267
1900 London Pavilion (Piccadilly Circus) (reconstruction) 465
1903 Chelsea Palace 144
Decorators Date Establishment Howard serial no.
Allen, J.M. 1879 see: Crossley, Mr., and –
Archer, E.T. 1852 Surrey Theatre (2nd building – redecorated) 778
Balliscombe & Houmann, Mr., Kittle & 1866 Duke’s Theatre [Royal Holborn Th., Mirror Th., etc.] 244
Beaton, Cecil 1950 Duke of York’s Theatre (redecoration) 243
Beensen 1857 see: Messrs. Homann and Beensen
Bell, Edward _ 1879 Haymarket, Theatre Royal (reconstruction) 371
Messrs. Geo. Jackson & Sons, and 1882 Strand Theatre (reconstruction) 766
Bennett & Sons, T.P. 1931 Saville Theatre 715
Boekbinder, J.M. [paintings, H. Verbuecken] 1882 (Royal) Avenue Theatre [The Playhouse] 588
Bradwell, E.W. 1876 Canterbury Hall (reconstruction ‹ interior) 129
1882 Novelty Theatre 443
Buchel, Charles 1898 Crown Theatre / Peckham Hippodrome (Paintings) 563
Campbell, Smith & Co. 1888 Grand Theatre (3rd building) [formerly Philharmonic Th., later Islington Empire] 400
Carrick, Edward 1930 Leicester Square Theatre (of Varieties) (interior redesigned for RKO) 453
Chermayeff, S. 1930 Cambridge Theatre (interior) 125
Crace & Son, Messrs. ?1840 Princess’s Theatre (1st building) 616
Crossley, Mr., and Allen, J.M. 1879 Royal Adelphi Theatre 6
De Jong [F.] & Co., Messrs. 1898 Princess of Wales’ Theatre [Kennington Theatre] 412
1901 Hackney Empire 359
1901 Grand Theatre (4th building) [formerly Philharmonic Th., later Islington Empire] 400
Foxley, George 1862 Strand Musick Hall [rebuilt as Gaiety Theatre, 1868] 295
Green & King, Messrs. 1870 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (alterations) 220
Henri, Marc and Laverdet [see also: Marc-Henri] 1929 Duchess Theatre 221
Homann and Beensen, Messrs. 1857 Weston’s Music Hall [later Holborn Empire] 376
Homann, W. ?1858 see: White and Parlby, Messrs. and Homann, W.
Houmann, Mr., and Kittle & Balliscombe 1866 Duke’s Theatre [Royal Holborn Th., Mirror Th., etc.] 244
Ionides, Basil 1929 Savoy Theatre (2nd building) 716
Jackson & Sons, Messrs. Geo., and Bell, Edward 1879 Haymarket, Theatre Royal (reconstruction) 371
1882 Strand Theatre (reconstruction) 766
King 1870 see: Green & King
Kittle & Balliscombe and Houmann, Mr. 1866 Duke’s Theatre [Royal Holborn Th., Mirror Th., etc.] 244
Komisarjevsky, Theodore 1930 Phoenix Theatre (Charing Cross Road) (“Art Director”) 580
Laverdet 1929 see: Henri, Marc and Laverdet
1930 see: Marc-Henri and Laverdet
Jenkins, F. Lynn 1900 see: Moira, Gerald and –
Macintosh, J. 1879 Princess’s Theatre (2nd building) (redecoration with new drop curtain & footlights) 616
Marc-Henri 1928 Piccadilly Theatre 581
Marc-Henri and Laverdet [see also Henri, Marc] 1929 Duchess Theatre 221
1930 Prince Edward Theatre [London Casino] (interior) 135
Moira, Gerald and Jenkins, F. Lynn 1900 Great Queen Street Theatre (reconstruction of Novelty Th.) 443
Newton see: Pashley, – and Young (& Co.)
Parlby [?Palby] see: White and Parlby, Messrs. and Homann, W.
Parsons, J.H. 1858 see: Sang, Francis and –
Pashley, Newton (and) Young 1873 Alexandra Theatre [Regents Park Th., (Royal) Park Th. etc.] 557
. . (& Co.) 1879 Elephant and Castle Theatre (2nd building) 264
Sang, Francis and Parsons, J.H. 1858 Th. Royal, Adelphi 6
Smith 1888 see: Campbell, Smith & Co.
Verbuecken, H. [paintings] 1882 (Royal) Avenue Theatre [The Playhouse] 588
White and Palby[?Parlby] 1858 Wilton’s Music Hall [Albion Saloon / Mahogany Bar] 886
1861 Oxford Theatre [Oxford Music Hall] _ 1st building 552
White and Parlby[?Palby], Messrs. and Homann, W. ?1858 Britannia Theatre 105
Wyatt, Benjamin 1812 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (4th building) 220
Wyndham-Lewis, Mary [Mrs. J.B. Priestley] 1934 Duchess Theatre (redecoration) 221
Young see: Pashley, Newton and (& Co.)
Builders Date Establishment Howard serial no.
Allen & Sons 1904 Scala Theatre (rebuild of former Prince of Wales Th.) 717
Allen, John, and Sons Ltd., Kilburn 1901 Imperial Theatre [formerly (Royal) Aquarium Theatre] (reconstructed) 396
Bass, W. 1864 Royal Alhambra Palace [Alhambra Th.] (alterations) 22
Bastow 1888 see: Stephens and Bastow, Messrs.
Bovis, Messrs. 1924 Fortune Theatre 285
1929 Dominion Theatre 219
Bovis Ltd. 1930 Phoenix Theatre (Charing Cross Road) 580
Bracher & Sons 1870 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (alterations) 220
Bracher, W.H., and Son; Great Ormond St. 1876 Canterbury Hall (reconstruction) 129
Bradwell & Field, Messrs. 1869 Polygraphic Hall (converted to Charing Cross Th.) [later Folly / Toole’s Theatre] 814
Crowder, C. and Payne, G. [and Developer] 1885 Mile End Empire [Eagle PH, Lusby’s MH, Paragon MH, etc.] (rebuilt) 494
Cubitt, Thomas [foreman] 1805 Surrey Theatre (2nd building) 778
Donaldson, Mr. 1805 Surrey Theatre (2nd building) 778
Driver and Perfect, J.R., Messrs. ?1890 Parkhurst Theatre 558
Ennor, Thomas 1858 Wilton’s Music Hall [Albion Saloon / Mahogany Bar] 886
1867 New Royal Amphitheatre [later Holborn Theatre, etc.] 377
Fatheringham [? Fotheringham] see: Patman and Fatheringham, Messrs. and/or Portmand and Fotheringham
Foster, C. [? See C.M. Foster of New Wharf, Whitefriars (under Contractors)] 1864 Strand Theatre (enlargement) 766
Fotheringham see: Patman and Fotheringham
Garrud, John, of Spitalfields 1876-77 Grecian Theatre ([?2nd] rebuild) 336
Gee, Walker & Slater 1930 Cambridge Theatre 125
1931 Saville Theatre 715
Godson & Sons, Messrs. 1898 Hammersmith Palace of Varieties [reconstruction of Town Hall & Temple of Varieties] 363
Gray Hill, C. 1899 see: Hill, C. Gray
Grissel and Peto 1835 St. James’s Theatre 705
Hannen ?1858 see: Hollards [? Holland] and – , Messrs.
Higgs, F. and H.F. 1901 Hackney Empire 359
Hill, C. Gray [of Coventry]* 1898 Granville Theatre of Varieties 333
1899 Camberwell Palace 124
1900 New Grand Theatre of Varieties [Grand Theatre] (Clapham Junction) 330
Hollards and Hannen, Messrs. ?1858 Britannia Theatre 105
[? Holland] 1861 Oxford Theatre [Oxford Music Hall] _ 1st building 552
1873 Oxford Theatre [Oxford Music Hall] _ 3rd building 552
Hyde, Mr. 1870 Vaudeville Theatre 830
Jay, Mr., of London Wall 1806 Sans Pareil [Adelphi Th.] 6
Johnson & Co., W., Messrs. 1900 Grand Theatre and Opera House [Woolwich Hippodrome] 903
Kingerlec & Sons of Oxford 1913 Ambassadors’ Theatre 25
Kirk, Frank* 1892 Trafalgar Square Theatre [Duke of York’s Theatre] 243
1893 Oxford Theatre [Oxford Music Hall] 4th building 552
Kirk and Kirk 1904 Surrey Theatre (3rd building ­ conversion to a Music Hall) 778
1905 [New Eldorado] (New) Prince’s Theatre [Poplar Hippodrome] 589
Kirk and Randell, Messrs., of Woolwich 1882 Novelty Theatre 443
Laing, David – & Son 1881/2 Folly Theatre [later Toole’s Theatre] (enlarged) 814
Lambe, R.S. 1897-98 (Royal) Cambridge Music Hall (rebuild after fire) 677
Langmeed & Way, Messrs. 1869 South London Music Hall / Palace of Varieties (2nd building) 751
Longden, Mr., of Sheffield 1899 Empire Theatre of Varieties [Holloway Empire] 380
Lovatt, Henry* of Wolverhampton 1908 Palace Theatre of Varieties (gallery reconstructed) 554
1911 Victoria Palace 834
M’gregor, Messrs W. and D. 1884 Prince’s / Prince of Wales Theatre
(Coventry Street, Piccadilly) (1st building) 607
Manley, Mark 1880 Princess’s Theatre (3rd building) 616
Marfix Ltd. 1937 Prince of Wales Theatre (Coventry Street, Piccadilly) (2nd building) 607
Minter, F.G., Ltd. 1929 Duchess Theatre 221
Patman & Fatheringham, Messrs.* 1881 Savoy Theatre (1st building) 716
[?Portmand and Fotheringham q.v.] 1882 Strand Theatre (reconstruction) 766
1903 Marlborough Theatre 488
Patrick & Sons, Messrs. 1862 Th. Royal, Westminster [Astley’s Th.] (6th building, reconstructed) 38
Payne, G. and Crowder, C. [and Developer] 1885 Mile End Empire [Eagle PH, Lusby’s MH, Paragon MH, etc.] (rebuilt) 494
Perfect, J.R. ?1890 see: Driver and Perfect, J.R., Messrs
Peto 1835 see: Grissel and Peto
Phillips, Philip ?1837 Bower Music Hall 93
Pitcher Construction Company 1929 Savoy Theatre (2nd building) 716
Portmand and Fotheringham [?Patman and Fatheringham q.v.] 1882 The Playhouse (rebuild of (Royal) Avenue Theatre) 588
Randell 1882 see: Kirk and -, Messrs., of Woolwich
Reid, M. of Hammersmith 1870 Opera Comique 550
Simpson, Mr. 1866 Duke’s Theatre [Royal Holborn Th., Mirror Th., etc.] 244
Simpson, Samuel 1886 Globe Theatre (Newcastle Street, Strand) [Royal Globe Theatre] 316
Slater 1930 see: Gee, Walker & Slater
Snowden, Mr.* 1872 Th. Royal, Westminster [Astley’s Th.] (6th building, further reconstructed) 38
Somerville, Mr., of Upper Thames Street 1876 Canterbury Hall (reconstruction ‹ built sliding roof) 129
Stephens and Bastow, Messrs. 1888 Lyric Theatre (Shaftesbury Avenue) 478
Thornton & Co, Lenn 1916 St. Martin’s Theatre 709
Trollope and Sons, Messrs. 1862 Strand Musick Hall [rebuilt as Gaiety Theatre, 1868] 295
Walker 1930 see: Gee, Walker & Slater
Wallis, Walter, of Balham [& Co.] *1898 Princess of Wales’ Theatre [Kennington Theatre] 412
1899 Terriss’ Theatre [Rotherhithe Hippodrome] 674
1901 Apollo Theatre 33
1905 Aldwych Theatre 17
1906 Hicks Theatre (Shaftesbury Ave.) [Globe Th./Gielgud Th.] 317
Waring, S. & J. 1905 Waldorf Theatre [Whitney Th., Strand Th., Novello Th.] 765
Way 1869 see: Langmeed & Way, Messrs.
Willson, J. 1858 Th. Royal, Adelphi (2nd building) 6
Contractors Date Establishment Howard serial no.
Anglo-Scottish Construction Company Ltd. 1928 Empire Cinema (Empire Th., Leicester Square, rebuilt) 266
Ashby 1882 see: Merritt and Ashby, Messrs.
Bass, W. 1883 Alhambra Theatre (2nd building) 22
Battley, Sons and Holness, Messrs. 1911 Comedy Theatre (alterations) 170
Bennett, Giles, of Vauxhall 1872 Elephant and Castle Theatre [Th. Royal, Elephant and Castle] (1st building) 264
Beverley, William 1860 Alhambra Palace [Alhambra Th.] (major alterations) 22
Brass, Messrs., of Chelsea 1879 Elephant and Castle Theatre (2nd building) 264
Bywater Bros., Messrs. [succeeded Messrs. Merritt & Ashby q.v.] 1884 (Pandora Th.) Empire Th. (Leicester Square) 266
Campbell, Smith & Co. 1888 Alhambra Theatre (2nd building – redecoration) 22
1900 Great Queen Street Theatre (reconstruction of Novelty Th.) 443
Colls & Sons, Messrs. 1898 Crown Theatre / Peckham Hippodrome 563
1900-02 Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (alterations) 182
Dearing, C., & Co. 1897 Collin’s Th. of Varieties [Collin’s Music Hall] 168
Dearing & Sons, Messrs. 1901 Grand Theatre (4th building) [formerly Philharmonic Th., later Islington Empire] 400
Foster, C.M. of New Wharf, Whitefriars 1865 Surrey Theatre (3rd building) 778
[? See C. Foster (under Builders)]
Fotheringham [? Fatheringham] 1895 see: Patman & Fotheringham
Gaisford, G. 1883 Gatti’s Palace of Varieties [Gatti’s-over-the-Water, etc.] rebuild 303
Gee Walker and Slater, Ltd. 1930 Leicester Square Theatre (of Varieties) 453
Gough and Lawton, Messrs. 1871 Athenaeum (Islington) 39
Greenwood 1887 see: Messrs. Holliday and Greenwood
Griggs & Son[s] 1928 Piccadilly Theatre 581
1930 Prince Edward Theatre [London Casino / Casino Theatre] 135
Grissell 1834 see: Peto and Grissell
Hayward, James and Nixon, William Thomas, Messrs. ?1851 Batty’s Hippodrome [Royal Hippodrome] 52
Hill, Charles Gray* 1896 Shakespeare Theatre and Opera House (Battersea) 727
Holliday & Greenwood, Messrs. 1887 Terry’s Theatre 796
Holness 1911 see: Battley, Sons and Holness, Messrs.
Johnson, W., & Co. 1896-98 Bedford Music Hall (reconstruction) 58
Kearley, C.T. 1903 Chelsea Palace 144
Kirk, Frank* 1893 Daly’s Theatre 209
1901 Century Theatre [Adelphi Th.] 6
Kirk & Kirk 1898 Dalston Th. of Varieties (reconstruction) 208
Kirk and Randall 1882 (Royal) Avenue Theatre [The Playhouse] 588
1905 Tivoli Music Hall (alterations) 813
Lacey, W. & B. 1872 Imperial Theatre (proposed theatre, Newington Causeway) 395
Laing & Sons 1879 Haymarket, Theatre Royal (reconstruction) 371
Lawton 1871 see: Gough and Lawless, Messrs.
Lovatt, Henry* 1903 Gaiety Theatre (Aldwych) 296
Lucas, Messrs. 1876 Royal Aquarium Theatre [later Imperial Theatre] 396
Lucas Bros., Messrs. 1858 Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden [Royal Opera House] (third building) 182
Lucas, Owen and Pyke, Messrs. 1903 New Theatre [Albery Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre] 514
Macey and Sons, Messrs. 1910 Little Theatre 458
Merritt and Ashby, Messrs. [succeeded by Messrs. Bywater Brothers, q.v.] 1882 Pandora Th./Empire Th. (Leicester Square) 266
Nixon, William Thomas ?1851 see: Hayward, James and – , Messrs.
[?Owen] Lucas and Pyke, Messrs. 1903 New Theatre [Albery Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre] 514
Patman & Fotheringham [? Fatheringham] 1895 Opera Comique (reconstruction) 550
Patrick & Sons, Messrs. 1857 Weston’s Music Hall [later Holborn Empire] 376
Peto Bros. 1885 London Pavilion (Piccadilly Circus) 465
Peto, Messrs. 1889 Garrick Theatre (Charing Cross Rd.) 299
Peto and Grissell 1834 Lyceum Theatre (5th Building) 476
Pitcher Construction Company 1930 Royal Adelphi Theatre 6
Pyke 1903 see: Messrs Owen Lucas and Pyke
Randall see: Kirk and Randall
Simpson, Samuel 1867 Queen’s Theatre (Long Acre) (conversion from St. Martin’s Hall) 623
Slater see: Gee Walker and Slater, Ltd.
Smith 1888, 1900 see: Campbell, Smith & Co.
Smith & Co., George 1874 Criterion Theatre (first building) 186
Snowdon, Thomas* 1871 New Victoria Palace [‘Old Vic’] (reconstruction) 545
Tenney, Temple G. ?1856 Pavilion Theatre (Stepney) – 2nd building 560
Vaughan, Edward 1873 Alexandra Theatre [Regents Park Th., (Royal) Park Th. etc.] 557
Vigor, Arthur, Ltd. 1927 Carlton Theatre 134
Walker see: Gee Walker and Slater, Ltd.
Wallis, Walter, of Balham *1900 Broadway Theatre 109
Webster, Mr. c.1875 National Opera House (Victoria Embankment) (building never completed) 511
Webster, William 1884 Criterion Theatre (second building) 186
Wheeler, Mr. 1874 Imperial Theatre (Newington Causeway, partly constructed, never used) 395
1896 Brixton Theatre 108
Whitford and Co., Messrs. 1900 London Hippodrome 462