A Rather Quick History Of The Dramatic Arts In The West End Of London

Not long ago, I experienced a weekend theatre holiday with a group of friends

. We enjoyed Agatha Christies now infamous story The Mousetrap currently in its 59th year making it the longest running play in London and also, according to its web page, the globe. I consider it incredible that the mystery has such staying power; the earth has changed considerably since the thriller made its debut numerous years ago and yet folks still flock to see the story daily.

All of this resulted in me contemplating about the heritage of the dramatic arts in the West End, you will discover about forty playhouses at this time in the area which has been newly rebranded by Westminster Council as Theatreland (it will always be the West End to many people). So, when did it get started, how come that segment of London and how did so many theatres finish up in the same district? I decided to begin a bit of analysis:

The uk capital's infatuation with the stage began in 1576 as The Theatre was created in Shoreditch, the venue was the 1st long term public playhouse - previously performing arts companies had travelled all-around and performed in open areas like courtyards. A 2nd theatre The Curtain soon followed both establishments were patronised by William Shakespeares theatre company, beams from The Theatre were taken to Southwark to build The Globe during 1599.

Theatre was forbidden by Oliver Cromwell in 1642 however soon after the Reformation in 1660 two companies were allowed to begin again and did so inside of adapted buildings until the Theatre Royal was opened in 1663 (on the site of the existing Theatre Royal, Drury Lane). Two more playhouses were built considerably later in 1720 and 1732 but severe restrictions placed on the sector at that period stopped additional progress for some years.

During the nineteenth Century the expanding popularity of Music Hall and a loophole in the legislation meant that small theatres and venues started being built in the West End, including The Adelphi in 1806.

The Theatres Act of 1843 relaxed legislation, and so the growth of the West End accelerated and the building bonanza lasted until the First World War. Most of the theatres however date back to the Victorian or Edwardian period, the bulk of which have very good character and sumptuous interior design but this may mean that visitors facilities such as leg room, rest rooms and bars are not really sufficient for the theatre goer's modern day needs. A contemporary analysis put the cost of modernising the theatres (some of which are listed properties) at 250 million, as the venues are privately owned the funds would need to be raised by the proprietors on their own a massive ask indeed!

And so, this really is a very quick account of the many of years of heritage that are part of that small locality of London, it definitely is amazing. There remain quite a few stories of desire and loss, wealth and failure, the development of modern theatre and of course the occassional ghost yarn. For anyone who is thinking about a London theatre adventure for your next celebration (as well as researching which extravaganza you intend to go and see) I would certainly suggest investigating the historical past of the district before you leave.

by: Bruno Blackstone

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