Place    From 1903  To 1958

Gaiety Theatre

Categories: Theatre

 Before the Aldwych development in 1906 the street pattern was very different.  The site between the current Lyceum Theatre and the current corner, Silken Hotel, was occupied by the Lyceum Theatre, which moved in 1834 to its current site.  Another theatre was built on this in-between site and took the name The Gaiety in 1868.  George Edwardes took over the management in about 1886 and in the 1890’s introduced the new style, now known as Edwardian musical comedy, which was very successful, especially the dancing Gaiety Girls.  Then the Aldwych redevelopment happened.  The Gaiety was demolished in 1903 and rebuilt on the new Aldwych corner site.  More success followed but by 1939 it was run down and so it closed.   The building was damaged by WW2 bombs and was demolished in 1956. Arthur Lloyd has a magnificent page on this theatre.

From Londonist we learn "Before the Gaiety was torn down {1956}, however, some of the internal fixtures from the auditorium were mysteriously saved and now grace the upstairs bar of The Victoria pub near Lancaster Gate tube."

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Gaiety Theatre

Commemorated ati

Gaiety Theatre

On this site stood the Gaiety Theatre, built in 1903 for impresario George Ed...

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Gaiety Theatre - SWET

Gaiety Theatre On this site until 1957 stood the re-sited Gaiety Theatre whic...

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Other Subjects

Clarkson Stanfield

Clarkson Stanfield

Theatrical scenic artist, marine and landscape painter, Royal Academician. Born Sunderland. Died Hampstead.

Person, Art, Theatre

2 memorials
John Dryden

John Dryden

Poet and playwright. Born in Aldwincle, Northamptonshire. The first Poet Laureate. Died in London. Initially buried in St Anne's Church, Soho but quickly reburied in Chaucer's grave in Westminster ...

Person, Poetry, Theatre

6 memorials
Surrey Theatre

Surrey Theatre

Opened initially as the 'Royal Circus and Equestrian Philharmonic Academy'. Burnt down in 1799 and in 1805. Rebuilt in 1806 by architect Rudolphe Cabanel (who went on to design what is now the Old ...

Building, Theatre

1 memorial
Shakespeare Reading Society

Shakespeare Reading Society

Active in 1909 with Beerbohm Tree as President. 2018: Via Facebook Roger W. Haworth wrote to say that this organisation is active, with Judi Dench as President. We are pleased to hear that and sor...

Group, History, Theatre

1 memorial