Building    From 3/5/1951 

Royal Festival Hall

Categories: Dance, Music / songs

A 2,700-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre. The first post-war building to be protected with a Grade 1 Listing, in 1981.

The project was led by London County Council's then chief architect, Robert Matthew, with a young team of talented designers including Leslie Martin, who was eventually to lead the project.

Built on the site of the former Lion Brewery, the foundation stone was laid in 1949 and the building was officially opened on 3 May 1951.

A London Inheritance has a splendid post about the construction of the RFH, with lots of historic photos.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Royal Festival Hall

Commemorated ati

Clement Attlee - Royal Festival Hall

This film shows what looks like a time capsule being buried, and Attlee layin...

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Other Subjects

Dame Marie Rambert

Dame Marie Rambert

Ballet dancer who had a great influence on ballet in Britain. Born Cyvia Ramberg in Poland. Arrived in England in 1914. Married Ashley Dukes in 1918, a marriage which lasted until his death. Founde...

Person, Dance, Poland

2 memorials
Jessie Matthews, OBE

Jessie Matthews, OBE

Actor, singer and dancer. Born into a large family in Berwick Street.  Made her name in theatre and in the 30's was Britain's favourite musical film star.  Post-war her career flagged but in 1963 s...

Person, Cinema, Dance, Music / songs, Theatre, TV & Radio

2 memorials
Stanley Lupino

Stanley Lupino

Actor, dancer and singer. Born as Stanley Richard Lupino Hook, he was the father of actor and director Ida Lupino. He made his first stage appearance at the age of six and subsequently performed in...

Person, Cinema, Dance, Music / songs, Theatre, USA

1 memorial
Lydia Lopokova

Lydia Lopokova

Ballerina famous during the early 20th century. Born in Russian as Lidiya Vasilyevna Lopukhova. Trained at the Imperial Ballet School. Toured with the Ballets Russes in 1910, and rejoined them in 1...

Person, Dance, Russia

1 memorial
Ballet Rambert

Ballet Rambert

Britain's oldest dance company. Founded by Dame Marie Rambert initially as Rambert Dancers, and then, at the Mercury Theatre, in 1931, as the Ballet Club and then, until the 1980s, as Ballet Ramber...

Group, Dance

2 memorials