subject: Interesting Fact Of Prince Edward Theatre [print this page] Prince Edward theatre is located on Old Compton Street in the City of Westminster London. The theatre was built on the site where once stood a renowned drapers shop called the Emporium. Having served as a cinema and casino once, the theatre opened on 3rd April 1930 and was named after the then Prince of Wales. Rio Rita, a romantic musical opened here on its inaugural day. The comedy was set in Mexico and featured Edith Day and Geoffrey Gwyther in the lead roles.
Unlike the short run of London debut of Rio Rita, the theater was an immense success. It was based on designs from notable architect Edward A. Stone who had designed the Piccadilly Theatre in 1928 while Marc-Henri Levy and Gaston Laverdet have done its interior decorations. The grand arched doorways at its entrance took audiences to a spacious circular foyer. Art deco style was incorporated to the foyer while staircases from their ascended toward stalls and dress circle. The structure gave an impression of a palatial Italian building from outside while the inner premise was lavishly decorated in shades of fuchsia and gold.
The auditorium of the theatre was large enough to accommodate 1650 audiences at a time. Premium quality upholstery comprised its tip-up seats and had plenty of space left for spreading legs. However the size of the stage remained limited and exceeded only those of Drury Lane and Covent Garden. The house hosted extravagant musicals during its initial days that include Nippy in 1930 and transformed its stage unto an Austin saloon might bowl. Wish you were here ran at the theatre in 1953 and a part of the stage was converted into a filled swimming pool. The most striking conversions that became immensely popular was the proscenium arch that was made up of series of niches with amber glass covers and has pseudo-fountains on each of their side.
Performances of Josephine Bakers London debut were hosted at the prince Edward theatre London in 1933. The renowned cabaret dancer, who was called The Idol of Europe, performed her celebrated Banana Dance in the auditorium of the Prince Edward Theatre. She was elated seeing the grand size of the theatre. After hosting a series of trade films, the Prince Edward Theatre was about to close down following lack of funds. However, there was something else waiting for the house, it was converted into a cabaret-restaurant, beneath its stage, large kitchens were erected while a semi-circular revolving dance floor was introduced.
Following a lavish refurbishing, the structure opened on 3rd March 1993 with performances of Crazy for You. In 1996, Martin Guerre opened here and went for successful run of two years. The musical wonder Mamma Mia! That featured smashing hits from ABBA, enjoyed an immense successful run here. The musical ran here for five glorious years before being transferred to the Prince of Wales theatre in 2004. The theatre is currently reliving the magic of Frank Valli and the Four Seasons with performances of Jersey Boys. One of the most successful bands in the history of popular music, Prince Edward theatre tickets is one of the best ways to relive their magic.
