Group    From 1806 

Adelphi Theatre

Categories: Theatre

Founded as the Sans Parail by John Scott, and his daughter Jane, who was an early playwright-actor-manager. 1819 it re-opened as the Adelphi Theatre, named for the Adelphi development opposite. 1858 the theatre was rebuilt. In 1879 the Gatti brothers took it over and also, 1887, created the Adelphi Theatre Restaurant next door, to the west. 1897 one of the regular performers, William Terriss, was murdered as he entered the theatre by the Maiden Lane entrance. 1901 the theatre was rebuilt to designs of Ernest Runtz and for three years known as the Century Theatre. The theatre was rebuilt again in the 1930s and in this design the theatre, the facade at least, took over one bay of the restaurant. This is the building we see today, although the facade is now even flatter than it was in the 30s. Our picture, from the the magnificent Arthur Lloyd, shows the 1858 building.

The Gatti's set up a electricity suppy for another nearby restaurant and also used it in 1885 to provide lighting to this theatre, making the Adelphi the first London theatre to be lit with electric light, according to the ODNB.  But the Savoy Theatre, claims this crown in 1881.

The Theatres Trust have a detailed description of the various changes the theatre has been through.

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This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Adelphi Theatre

Creations i

Terriss

City of Westminster William Terriss, 1847 - 1897, hero of the Adelphi melodr...

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Other Subjects

Dame Sybil Thorndike

Dame Sybil Thorndike

Born Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Actor. George Bernard Shaw wrote his play Saint Joan with her in mind. Created Dame of the British Empire in 1931. She was married to the actor Sir Lewis Casson. Di...

Person, Cinema, Theatre

3 memorials
Harold Pinter

Harold Pinter

Playwright, actor and director. He trained and performed as an actor before taking up writing. His first play to be produced in London's west-end, 'The Birthday Party' was received with almost univ...

Person, Literature, Seriously Famous, Theatre

1 memorial
William Wycherley

William Wycherley

Playwright. No birth information but baptised in 1641 in Hampshire. Wrote The Country Wife and The Plain Dealer. Died in Bow Street.

Person, Theatre

1 memorial
Jack Buchanan

Jack Buchanan

Actor-manager, song-and-dance entertainer. Born Helensburgh near Glasgow. Died in the Middlesex Hospital. His ashes were scattered from the deck of a Cunard Liner in recognition of his 50+ trans...

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

1 memorial