Tag Archives: theatre

Jermyn Street Theatre ~ the West End’s Smallest Theatre

27 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Artistic Venues, Family Activities, Westminster

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A former restaurant changing room has become 2012′s Fringe Theatre of the Year!  The Jermyn Street Theatre is currently the West End’s smallest theatre and it was recognized this year as Fringe Theatre of the Year.  Its broad range of shows produced at a very high level and its recent award should be reasons enough to visit this truly unique theatre.  To experience rarely seen productions from famous playwrights in an intimate setting is yet another reason to go.

History:  Jermyn Street is one of those streets well known by most men - it is home to upscale mens clothing shops such as Turnbull & Asser and Hilditch & Key, as well mens grooming shops - like Geo. F. Trumper and Taylors of Old Bond Street, as well as global brands like Dunhill and Davidoff.  There are also a few restaurants here - one of them is ”Getti” - an italian eatery, and formerly the “Spaghetti House”.  Downstairs was originally their staff changing rooms, but in 1991 a new vision for the space emerged.  The goal to transform the space into a luxury studio theatre was realized over the following few years, and in 1994 Jermyn Street Theatre opened.  Three years later a grant from the National Lottery allowed for further development of the space.

Today:  Currently this 70-seat studio theatre has several stated objectives: (a) to produce new material (often from in-house writers), (b) to produce at least one new musical each year, and (c) to produce unknown and forgotten classics from well respected playwrights from over the last 100 years.  Its patron is Princess Michael of Kent and the theatre is supported by numerous volunteers, members, and sponsors.  Earlier this year, it was recognised by The Stage as Fringe Theatre of the Year.

Upcoming Productions:  In early 2013, productions will include plays from Ivor Novella, Graham Greene and Tennessee Williams.  Shows generally occur Tuesday - Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees Thursday/Saturday/Sunday at 3.00pm.  Tickets are generally £20.00 or £16.50 concessions and are available through their website or at their box office (open weekdays 1-9pm, or Sat 1:30-9pm).  There are several rows of terraced seating directly facing the stage and two rows facing the side of the stage.

For specific shows, event information and tickets, visit their website at:  http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk or on Twitter @JSTheatre

Located at:   16b Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6ST

Closest Tube: Piccadilly Circus

The Coronet Theatre ~ as seen in “Notting Hill” !

06 Saturday Oct 2012

Posted by in Family Activities, Historic Buildings, Kensington & Chelsea

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The Coronet opened in 1898 and was quickly viewed as the best theatre outside of London’s west end.   With visits by King Edward VII and performances by the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt, it seemed destined to succeed.  But given its proximity to the West End it competed, unsuccessfully, to gain a solid customer base.  By 1923 it converted exclusively to a cinema and over the years the seating capacity has been reduced.  As a cinema it is unique in that the theatre’s interior has been mostly preserved which provides a very different feel than a typical cinema.

Its survival was not assured.  The Coronet was almost demolished in the early 1970s when the Rank Organization (the owners at that time) put the building up for sale with a plan to ‘regenerate’ the area by building offices and retail space.  Fortunately, the action of local citizens and the Council led to the building’s preservation.  The Rank Organization then refurbished the theatre and a few years later sold it intact.  In 2004, it was sold again - this time to a church group that despite initial concerns has maintained it as an historic cinema.

It currently has two film screens.  The main auditorium holds 400 people across two levels of seating - Stalls & Circle (the 3rd level Gallery is not currently used for films).  The second auditorium is much smaller and is located on the old theatre stage, behind the main screen, with the ability to be removed should the theatre be restored fully.  The theatre is not fully modernized - the seats are old, the sound not surround, and there’s no 3D films here.  That said, it is very affordable (check website for very cheap screenings typically on Tuesday) and is a step back in time.  With its more recent claim to fame as a location set in the film “Notting Hill” with Hugh Grant & Julia Roberts you’ll find it hard not to enjoy yourself and feel nostalgic when you come here.

Website for information, prices and showtimes: www.coronet.org/

Located at: 103 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3LB

Closest tube: Notting Hill Gate

Royal Opera House ~ backstage tour

04 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Historic Buildings, Restaurants, Westminster

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For a different perspective of the Royal Opera House consider a backstage tour (and combine it with a glamourous lunch or tea - see below).  The ”Backstage Tour” also includes visiting the front of house, stage, dressing and set/prop areas of one of the world’s leading theatres as it prepares to open its doors for the evening performance.  Included in the tour is an introduction to the colourful history of the theatre, an insight into the re-development of the Royal Opera House and a look at aspects of current productions. As the Royal Opera House is a fully working theatre, each tour is a unique experience, and may include opportunities to see The Royal Ballet in class, or the magnificent backstage technology in operation.  The backstage tour lasts about 75- 90 minutes.  Tours are held at preset times and dates.  Tickets need to be purchased in advance and tours do generally sell out, so plan ahead. As of posting, current full price tour is £10.50 and concessions are available.

Other tour types (all shorter at about 45 mins) exist with different focuses.  Visit the website for more information or to book tickets: http://www.roh.org.uk/visit/tours

There is also a gift shop open Mon-Sat from 10 am - 7:30pm.  The restaurants and bars are generally open to non-ticket holders (check online for details), and combining the tour with lunch or afternoon tea at the Amphitheatre Restaurant is recommended for a more glamourous experience (to make a reservation, call +44 (0)20 7212 9254).

Located at: Bow Street Covent Garden London WC2E 9DD

Closest tube: Covent Garden

The Rose ~ Bankside’s first theatre - 1587

06 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Historic Buildings, Southwark

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The Rose is considered London’s most historic theatre.  While the Theatre, built in Shoreditch in 1576 is the oldest, no remant has been located.  The Rose is the fifth documented purpose built theatre in England, and the first Elizabethan Theatre on Bankside.  It was home to many of Shakespeare’s and Marlowe’s first productions - inlcuding Henry IV part I, and Dr. Faustus respectively.   With the Globe’s success, the Rose was abandoned by 1606.  The Rose Theatre Trust has excavated 2/3rds of the grounds and plans are underway to raise funds to excavate the remaining 1/3rd.  Currently the Rose can tell the visitor much about its life between 1587 and 1603. Red rope lights around the site indicate the size of the   Rose, its courtyard or pit and the position of its two stages. There is a viewing platform from which these lights can be seen and a series of poster fact sheets which tell you much about not only the Rose, but about the area of Bankside which it occupied in the late 1590s and early 1600s.  The site today inspires actors and other artists just as it did over four hundred years ago and there are regular events and open days when their many talents can be put on show.  Since it is not open at all times, please go to the website for information on shows, visiting and its history:  www.rosetheatre.org.uk

Address: 56 Park Street, London SE1 9AS

Closest tube: London Bridge

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