Group    From 25/2/1828  To 28/2/1828

Royal Brunswick Theatre

Categories: Theatre

The Royal Brunswick Theatre was built on the site of a previous theatre, the Royalty Theatre (1785-1826) which had burnt down. The Royal Brunswick, designed by Stedman Whitwell, was constructed, stretching from (what is now) Ensign Street with its back on Dock Street.

It opened on Monday 25 February, with an auditorium that held 2,000, with a production of 'The Mermaiden's Well'. The construction of the theatre was still not finished so during the daytime workmen were on site, as well as those involved in rehearsals, etc.

Just 3 days after the theatre opened, on the Thursday morning, the roof collapsed killing 11-16 people (accounts differ) including one of the owners of the theatre, and around 20 people  were seriously injured.

Londonist has published the remarkable first-hand account of the aftermath of the disaster by one of the men who had been working nearby, constructing St Katharine Docks, and were called on to help dig out the wounded and the dead.

We note that the bollards do not appear in the drawing from Spitalfields Life, nor in the drawing that Londonist shows but this probably doesn't mean anything - artists might consider bollards distracting details, best not included.

Information from Arthur Lloyd, Londonist, Spitalfields Life.

See Sailors' Home for what was then built on the site.

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:
Royal Brunswick Theatre

Commemorated ati

Other Subjects

Austin Rudd

Austin Rudd

Music hall singer and comedian. Born Arthur Rudd in London. In his day he was extremely popular and he toured throughout the world, but is now largely forgotten. His act was described as being 'qua...

Person, Music / songs, Theatre

1 memorial
George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw

Born Dublin. Socialist, member of the Fabian Society. Plays include: Saint Joan, Major Barbara and Pygmalion on which My Fair Lady is based. Didn't like his first name, "Don't George me!" so is oft...

Person, Literature, Politics & Administration, Seriously Famous, Theatre, Ireland

5 memorials
Bertram W. Mills

Bertram W. Mills

Son of a proprietor of a coaching firm in Paddington who built coaches, provided services to funerals and owned two small farms, one at Chalfont St Giles where he rested his horses. Bertram was bro...

Person, Animals, Theatre

1 memorial
Joseph Grimaldi

Joseph Grimaldi

Pantomime clown appearing at Sadler's Wells, Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres. The traditional clowns' make-up, being called Joey and many of the gags and tricks date back to Grimaldi. Born i...

Person, Humour, Seriously Famous, Theatre

7 memorials