Mama's 'WONDERFUL WEST END.. & BEYOND! -The Fabulous Theatre Thread Returns

BACK BY ALMOST UNBEARABLE POPULAR DEMAND!
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As it looked in the 1960s.

** THE PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, London, UK
Opened 1930.
Renamed The London Casino 1936.
Returned to The Prince Edward 1978.
Seating aprx. 1622

A stunning theatre today in its new design provided by Cameron Macintosh.
The theatre had very limited success in its first few decades and only found its feet back on Jan 21st 1978 with the first performance of 'Evita'.
Since then it has been home to a string of big hit musicals including 'Chess', 'Crazy For You', 'Anything Goes', Mary Poppins' and 'Jersey Boys'.
In between these hits it had its far share of huge flops too, notably 'Children Of Eden', 'Hunting Of The Snark', 'Some Like It Hot'.
The theatre was widely used as a live TV studio in the early 70s for big variety shows like 'Live From The Casino' that tried to recall the days of 'Sunday Night At The London Palladium' but with limited success. Also many editions of 'This Is Your Life' were filmed here.


As it looks today.


Nice work Cameron!



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**THE PALACE THEATRE, London, UK

Opened 1891 as The Royal English Opera House
Renamed The Palace Theatre in the 1920s
Seating apx. 1404.


And still looking grand today.


A theatre with a long history of presenting big musicals.
'Cabaret' with Judi Dench as Sally premiered here.
'The Sound Of Music' opened her in 1968 and ran for 5 years. Just a few years later its next long runner opened, Jesus Christ Superstar', which stayed for 11 years. Not long after 'JCS' closed it was home to few shows with good runs such as 'Song And Dance' and 'On Your Toes'. Recent years have seen good runs of 'Whistle Down The Wind and a 2 year run of the Broadway musical 'Spamalot'.
It's next show will bring glamour back to the West End like it hasn't seen in years.... 'Priscilla Queen Of The Desert' opens Spring 2009.

It's simply stunning auditorium during its continuing restoration.


The theatre as it looked thru the 50s to the 80s. Note its neon curtain effect that was there for every show for 30 years!
Also, its advertising for the LOndon Casino around the corner- a lot of theatres used to put directions up to other theatres close by.


Stunning facade.


The Palace has one of the highest balconys in the West End, seen here from the front row for 'Spamalot' with another 15 rows going up behind this one!!!


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Updated On: 3/2/09 at 10:00 AM

oh dear!
im not good with heights, and im up there for pricilla!
x

Oh what a triumphant return Mama! And what an amazing way to begin - two of the West End's most beautiful theatres in one day.

Seeing the original stunning Mary Poppins logo adorning the Prince Edward warmed my heart. Whatever made the producers change it to that cheap looking cartoon version?

Updated On: 3/2/09 at 11:38 AM

Prince Edward theatre must be one of my favourite theatres in london.

When I mentioned in another thread that the Palace theatre must be the best location in the West End, The Prince Edward must be the worst and they are around the corner from each other.

Updated On: 3/2/09 at 11:52 AM

Hmmm the playhouse is pretty bad, but I would also say the New London. Took us quite a while to find it.

Would it be a blasphemy to say I've never been inside of the Palace? It looks incredibly beautiful - and I seriously CANNOT wait for the 25th to come around :)

I have sat in the balcony at the Palace Theatre twice and it is sooo high.
It is odd because from up there you can see what is going on at the back of the stage while there are things in front, especially with the revolving wall for The Woman in White.

Great that this thread has returned once more and some great pics of The Palace and The Playhouse, Mama. There were some pictures of foreign theatres in the old threads which I would love to see again but hopefully will turn up in due course.

Many West End theatres at some time or another have played movies.
The Piccadilly was the the theatre that first screened Al Jolson in 'The Jazz Singer' in the UK and was renamed The Warner for the event. It screen many movies over many years.
The Dominion for many years screened major movies. Indeed, it holds the record for the longest screening of a movie in the UK. 'South Pacific' ran for 3 and a half years!
The Astoria, now being demolished, was a first run cinema for some time from the 40s to the 60s.
The list goes on....

woah! that really is a major refurbishment. do you have any more info on it Mama? i love hearing all the stuff about theatre refurbishment etc.

I wonder if they will replace chandeliers with mirror balls at the Palace (for PRISCILLA) as was done at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne?

It was mirror balls and pink auditorium lighting here.

The Lyceum is a beautiful theatre, do not why the critics took a dislike, big gamble I suggest to open this as a theatre as had the time there was no guarentee of a big show going in. Who owns the theatres?
I was at the Savoy a couple of weeks ago and have to say it is a beautful thatre, but disportionate as they have one box one side and no box the other side.