London Coliseum was opened back in 1904 for the theatre impresario Sir Oswald Stoll, whose ambition (alongside architech Frank Matcham) was to create the largest and finest music hall of the age, described at the time as the "people's palace of entertainment". It really is a palace (and was given listed-status in 1960), notable for its Free Baroque design, lavish foyer and domed ceiling above the grand auditorium with capacity for 2,359 people.
Intended by its creators to be a Theatre of Variety, London Coliseum (which was, for a time, known by the more traditional title of Coliseum Theatre) has certainly done that over the years, hosting family entertainments, dramas (including the last play created by W.S. Gilbert, of Gilbert & Sullivan fame), cinema screenings and even a cricket match, in 1908, between Middlesex and Surrey!
In 1968 the Sadler’s Wells Opera Company occupied the building, and has been there ever since - if the name doesn’t ring a bell, that’s because it became the English National Opera in 1974. London Coliseum is also the London home of the touring English National Ballet, and acclaimed performances at the theatre include The Magic Flute, The Barber of Seville, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, as well as musicals Chess, Hairspray, My Fair Lady and We Will Rock You.
Details
- Address:
- St Martin's Lane
- WC2N 4ES
- Contact:
- https://londoncoliseum.org/
- Transport:
- Leicester Square and Charing Cross Tube stations