Building    From 1705 

His Majesty's Theatre / Her Majesty's Theatre

Categories: Theatre

In 1705 Vanbrugh completed the Queen's Theatre, named in honour of Queen Anne, which quickly became informally known as the Haymarket Opera House (not to be confused with the Theatre Royal Haymarket / Haymarket Theatre nor with the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden). On the accession of George I in 1714 it became the King's Theatre and now formally changes names depending on the gender of the monarch. Initially it was not a success because of its terrible acoustics and in 1709 it was turned over to Italian opera. It was here that Handel produced 'Rinaldo', his first opera in England. After a fire in 1789 the theatre was rebuilt. See Little Whig and Kitt Catt for the strange story of the original foundation stones. In 1816-18 Nash and George Repton made alterations to the building which included the addition of the Arcade on the west side. The current theatre, designed by C.J. Phipps in 1897 for Herbert Tree, is the fourth on the site.
In 1948, the Government of New Zealand leased the site comprising the bombed rubble of the Carlton Hotel, Her Majesty's Theatre and the Royal Opera Arcade. New Zealand House, built on the site of the Carlton Hotel, was opened in 1963.

2023: On the coronation of King Charles III this theatre changed its name from Her Majesty's Theatre to His  Majesty's Theatre.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
His Majesty's Theatre / Her Majesty's Theatre

Commemorated ati

Her Majesty's Theatre - H Tree

This theatre was founded in 1897 by Herbert Tree, actor, and directed by him ...

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Her Majesty's Theatre - SWET

Theatreland - Heart of the performing arts in London Her Majesty's Theatre ...

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Royal Opera Arcade

The "plaque" is actually a very dull modern notice inside the arcade so for o...

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Thomas Doggett

This plaque raises some questions. Firstly, how could he have 'died a pauper'...

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Other Subjects

James Burbage

James Burbage

Actor, theatre builder and manager. Built The Theatre in Curtain Road.

Person, Theatre

1 memorial
Bedford Music Halls, Old and New

Bedford Music Halls, Old and New

Performers and patrons were depicted by the artist Walter Sickert at the turn of the century.

Place, Theatre

1 memorial
Charles Rider Noble

Charles Rider Noble

Theatre manager and film cameraman. Born in Roydon, Essex. Details of his life are sketchy, but he is supposed to have managed a theatre in Northampton before taking over the newly built Brixton Th...

Person, Cinema, Theatre

1 memorial
Bonnie Greer

Bonnie Greer

Playwright and novelist. Born in Chicago. She visited Britain as part of a production at the Edinburgh Festival in 1986 and has remained here ever since. She has written many plays for radio and ha...

Person, Theatre, TV & Radio, USA

1 memorial
Donald Swann

Donald Swann

Composer, pianist and entertainer. Born Donald Ibrahim Swann at 27 Coleshill Terrace, Llanelli, Wales. His mother was a Muslim Azerbaijani. He is best remembered for his partnership with Michael Fl...

Person, Music / songs, Theatre, Wales

2 memorials