Building    From 3/5/1951 

Royal Festival Hall

Categories: Dance, Music / songs

A 2,700-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre. The first post-war building to be protected with a Grade 1 Listing, in 1981.

The project was led by London County Council's then chief architect, Robert Matthew, with a young team of talented designers including Leslie Martin, who was eventually to lead the project.

Built on the site of the former Lion Brewery, the foundation stone was laid in 1949 and the building was officially opened on 3 May 1951.

A London Inheritance has a splendid post about the construction of the RFH, with lots of historic photos.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Royal Festival Hall

Commemorated ati

Clement Attlee - Royal Festival Hall

This film shows what looks like a time capsule being buried, and Attlee layin...

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Other Subjects

Darcey Bussell

Darcey Bussell

Ballerina. Dame Darcey Andrea Bussell, DBE was born Marnie Mercedes Darcey Pemberton Crittle in London. Spent some time in Australia as a child. Aged 20 became a principle dancer at the Royal Balle...

Person, Dance, Seriously Famous, Australia

2 memorials
Jessie Matthews, OBE

Jessie Matthews, OBE

Actor, singer and dancer. Born into a large family in Berwick Street.  Made her name in theatre and in the 30's was Britain's favourite musical film star.  Post-war her career flagged but in 1963 s...

Person, Cinema, Dance, Music / songs, Theatre, TV & Radio

2 memorials
Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House

Home of the Royal Ballet and Royal Opera. Originally built in 1732 as a playhouse. The current building is the third on the site, following the fires that destroyed the first two.

Building, Dance, Music / songs

1 memorial
Sadler's Wells Theatres

Sadler's Wells Theatres

From Sadler's Wells: Sadler’s Wells began with "the discovery of a mineral spring in 1683. Richard Sadler built a music house around the spring to rival the already fashionable Tunbridge and Epsom ...

Group, Dance, Theatre

2 memorials
David Wall, CBE

David Wall, CBE

Ballet dancer.  Partnered Margot Fonteyn.  A Governor of the Royal Ballet.

Person, Dance

1 memorial