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."

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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...

Read More

Gaiety Theatre - SWET

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

Read More

Other Subjects

Prince of Wales Theatre

Prince of Wales Theatre

Built as Prince's Theatre by Charles Phipps in 1884.  Just 2 years later it was renamed as the Prince of Wales Theatre after the future Edward VII.   It was rebuilt in 1937, designed by Robert Cromie.

Group, Theatre

1 memorial
Simon Callow

Simon Callow

Actor, director, writer. Born Streatham.  

Person, Cinema, Literature, Theatre, TV & Radio

4 memorials
Edward Alleyn

Edward Alleyn

Renowned Shakespearean actor and philanthropist. Also known as Ned Allen. Born London near Bishopsgate and baptised at St Botolphs in 1566. Theatre manager and actor. Owned the Manor of Dulwich an...

Person, Education, Theatre

4 memorials
Victoria Palace Theatre

Victoria Palace Theatre

The first theatre on this site was built in 1832. The current one, designed by Frank Matcham, was erected in 1910. Our Picture source link no longer works and the current history page for the Vict...

Building, Theatre

2 memorials
Dick Whittington

Dick Whittington

Born in Pauntley, Gloucestershire, second son of a wealthy man. Thrice Lord Mayor of London: 1397, 1406 and 1420 (actually four times but two were consecutive). Three times Master of the Mercers' C...

Person, Literature, Lord Mayor, Politics & Administration, Theatre

8 memorials

Previously viewed

Private F. Kane

Private F. Kane

HMS Aurora, Royal Marine Light Infantry, China

Person

War dead, Other war
1 memorial
Henry Fielding

Henry Fielding

Novelist, playwright. Born Somerset. Half-brother to Sir John Fielding. Lived in Bow Street and Essex Street. Play: The Miser. Novels: Joseph Andrews, Tom Jones. As magistrate he carried out a numb...

Person, Law, Literature, Theatre, Portugal

2 memorials
Adelaide Stoll

Adelaide Stoll

Businesswoman. Mother of impresario Oswald Stoll. After the death of her first husband, she travelled from Australia to Britain with her son. She married again to John Stoll and eventually took ove...

Person, Theatre, Australia

1 memorial
F. C. McNaughtan

F. C. McNaughtan

CN Co. 2'E Hoihow.

Person

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
Albert Annison
War dead, WW1
1 memorial