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London
Theatre Guide
Garrick Theatre
Address: Charing Cross Rd , London , WC2
Tube: Leicester Square
Architect: Walter Emden with C. J. Phipps
Opened: 1889
Capacity: 656
The Garrick Theatre was financed by the playwright W. S. Gilbert, the author of over 75 plays, including the words for Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operas. It was designed by Walter Emden, with C. J. Phipps as a consultant the site was problematic not least of which because it sat on an underground river. Originally, the theatre had 800 seats on 4 levels, but the gallery (top) level has since been closed and the seating capacity reduced to 656. It has always had an association with comedy or comedy drama. A proposed redevelopment of Covent Garden by the GLC in 1968 saw the theatre under threat, together with the Vaudeville, Adelphi, Lyceum and Duchess Theatres. However after public pressure was exerted the GLC dropped the planned redevelopment.
The only work of W. S. Gilbert that premiered here at the
Garrick was the Harlequin and the The Fairy's Dilemma. In
recent years it has changes hands many times it is currently
in the ownership of Nimax Theatres Ltd.
Past productions at the Garrick Theatre:
- In 1900, the theatre hosted J. M. Barrie's The Wedding Guest.
- Basil Rathbone played Dr. Lawson(1921) in The Edge o' Beyond at the Garrick.
- No Sex Please, We're British (1982)
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