The Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket, London

Formerly - The Little Theatre in the Haymarket / Theatre Royal in the Haymarket / Haymarket Theatre

Introduction - First Theatre - Second and Present Theatre

Above - The Theatre Royal Haymarket during the run of 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers' in October 2006.

The Theatre Royal that stands on the Haymarket in London today opened as the 'Theatre Royal in the Haymarket' on the 4th of July 1821 with aproduction of Sheridan's 'The Rivals.' The exterior is still that of the 1821 John Nash design but the interior is that of C. Stanley Peach and S. D. Adshead of 1904.

There was however, a previous Theatre on this site before the present one which first opened as the 'Little Theatre in the Haymarket' on the 29th of December 1720 with 'La Fille a la Mode, ou le Badaud de Paris'. This first Theatre was renamed the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket in 1766. A chronological history of the Theatres on this site, and their various reconstructions, follows.

The First Theatre - 1720

Above - The First Haymarket Theatre in 1820 - From 'London Town Past and Present' by W. W. Hutchings 1909.

The First Theatre on the site was built by a carpenter called John Potter on the site of an old Inn called the King's Head but the Theatre was not allowed to open because of the 'Patent Theatres' rule. It was used by amateurs and 'resting' Patent Theatre actors for a while until Potter managed to gain the patronage of the Duke of Montague, and finally open the Theatre properly in December 1720. He opened it with a French company which was sponsored by his new Patron the Duke of Montague. Unfortunately this was not a success and closed in May of the following year, but undeterred Potter let the Theatre to anyone who thought they could fill it.

Right - The First Haymarket Theatre when it was being dismantled after the new Theatre was built next door in 1821 - From an engraving published by Robert Wilkinson in 1822 and reproduced in the book 'Shakspere to Sheridan' by Alwin Thaler in 1922. The caption for this image reads:- The Little Theatre of Aaron Hill, Theophilus Gibber, Fielding, Foote, and the Colmans. It was constructed by John Potter in 1720, being remodelled from the King's Head Inn (between Little Suffolk Street and James Street), and was enlarged and refitted by Foote in 1767.

The Theatre had a few successes over the following years, namely 'The Supernatural' and 'Tom Thumb' but it was often closed too. When Henry Fielding took over the management of the Theatre with his 'Great Mogul's Company of Comedians' he put on a series of ever cruder pieces which eventually led to the censorship laws being introduced in 1737.

Left - A Souvenir Programme for J. M. Barrie's 'The Little Minister' which opened at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 1897.

All this time the Theatre had been running without a Patent but in July 1766, whilst Samual Foote, an actor himself, was running the Theatre, he was granted a Patent by the Duke of York, allowing him to open it in the summer whilst the other Patent Theatres were closed.

Right - Programmes for 'Frocks and Frills' and 'Joseph Entangled' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket during Cyril Maude and Frederick Harrison's period as managers between 1896 and 1905.

This Patent came about after Foote had injured his leg after being persuaded to ride an unrideable horse on stage by guests of Lord Mexborough. His leg had to be amputated afterwards and the Patent was granted as a way of appeasing him on the 12th of July 1766.

Above - The Interior of the Haymarket Theatre from an image originally published by Harrison & Co in 1795.

Above - Two 'Admission Checks' for the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 1804 and 1811 - Reproduced in the book 'Shakspere to Sheridan' by Alwin Thaler, published in 1922.

In 1777 George Coleman took over the Theatre, still with Foote's Patent, and enhanced the building by adding a third tier of boxes and re-roofing the Theatre.

Coleman's son took over in 1794 and between then and 1803 many actors who later became famous trod the boards at the Theatre Royal including Charles Kemble, John Liston, and John Bannister.

Right - A Programme for 'The Blue Bird' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1910. And a Programme for 'The Dover Road' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1922.

This first Haymarket Theatre was closed and dismantled when a new and improved Theatre, designed by John Nash, and still there today, was constructed and opened next door in 1821. There is more on this and the present Theatre below.

The Second and Present Theatre Royal, Haymarket - 1821

Above - A wonderful engraving showing the first Haymarket Theatre being dismantled (Also see enlarged image above), and the second and present Theatre having just opened, in 1821 - From an engraving published by Robert Wilkinson in 1822 and reproduced in the book 'Shakspere to Sheridan' by Alwin Thaler in 1922.

The Second, and present Theatre, which was built slightly to the south of the first Theatre, opened on the 4th of July 1821 with a production of Sheridan's 'The Rivals.' The Theatre was designed by John Nash and constructed at a cost of £20,000. The earlier Theatre remained beside the new one for a while until it was converted into shops (See image above and below), then it was converted into the Pall Mall Restaurant, and then finally demolished completely between the wars.

Above - An image showing both the 1720 and 1821 Haymarket Theatres side by side. The earlier Theatre remained beside the new one for a while until it was converted into shops - From Cyril Maude's book on the Haymarket Theatre published in 1903.

Above - A Contemporary Print showing the Opening Night of the New Haymarket Theatre in 1821 - From 'Sheridan to Robertson' by Ernest Bradlee Watson, published in 1926.

Above - A Plan of the New Haymarket Theatre when it first opened in 1821 - From 'Sheridan to Robertson' by Ernest Bradlee Watson, published in 1926.

The exterior of this 1821 Theatre remains today but the interior was not generally liked and has been altered many times. However, the new Theatre Royal was a success, one production 'Cherry Ripe' ran for 114 performances, which was a long run for the period, another caused a sensation when a woman was employed to play the part of Falstaff in 'the Merry Wives Of Windsor' Julia Glover had previously also played Hamlet in 1821 at the Lyceum Theatre.

Right - A Programme for 'Cousin Kate' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in the 1920s. And a Programme for J. M. Barrie's 'Mary Rose' which opened at the Theatre in 1920 and ran for 399 performances.

Phelps first appeared there in 1837, and Macready in 1840, and by 1843 the Theatre was so successful that it was apparently acknowledged as 'being the equal of Drury Lane.'

Above - The Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 1822 - From an original drawing by George Shepherd, republished in Cyril Maude's book on the Theatre in 1903.

T. C. King, the future father in law to Arthur Lloyd, and a well known and highly respected Tragedian in his day, made his first London appearance, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, for a one night special when he appeared as Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice' there on Thursday the 22nd of July 1852. That same evening another new actor made his first appearance on any stage, at the same Theatre, namely J. L. Toole who appeared there in 'The Spitalfield's Weaver'.

Left - A Notice from the ERA of the 18th of July 1852 which is advertising 'One Night more - Brilliant array of Talent for this Night only' at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket on the 22nd of July 1852. In the cast for these productions were T. C. King in his first London Appearance, and J. L. Toole in his first performance on any stage.

Above - The Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1897 - From a Programme for J. M. Barrie's 'The Little Minister' which opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket that year. Notice that the original Theatre, converted to shops, is still to be seen to the left of the Second and Present Theatre in this photograph.

Above - A Postcard of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, dated 1906. Notice the original Theatre, which was converted into shops, is still to be seen to the left of the Second Theatre in this image.

Above - A Postcard of the Haymarket, London looking up towards Piccadilly and showing Her Majesty's Theatre on the left and the Theatre Royal, Haymarket on the right.

Above - The Haymarket Looking North with the Haymarket Theatre shown to the right and Her Majesty's Theatre shown to the left - From 'London Town Past and Present' by W. W. Hutchings 1909.

The interior of the present Theatre has been altered many times, the first being in 1838 when the auditorium was redecorated and new boxes and other facilities were added. The Morning Post reported on the changes in their 9th of April 1838 edition saying:- 'This Theatre will open for the Season on Easter Monday. The Patrons of this popular place of amusement are respectfully informed that during the recess the interior has been decorated and painted in a costly and elegant style, every portion of ornament and covering being entirely new after the most approved fashions of the time of Louis Quatorze.

Right - A Programme for 'The Great Adventure' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1924.

The Private Boxes (four of which are new) are tastefully draperied with silk, and so altered and arranged as to allow of every visitor to them seeing and hearing with advantage. The cushions and chairs of the Boxes have been covered with damask, and the hand-rests with the richest silk tubaret. Splendid new Chandeliers have been introduced in the audience part and in the lobbies. The Box Saloon is elaborately fitted up, and a new Pit Saloon has been built for the accommodation and comfort of the numerous and respectable frequenters of the Pit of this Theatre.

A new Curtain and a new Act Drop and Proscenium has been painted in a highly-finished manner, to accord with the architecture and decorations of the house. The whole designed and executed by Mr. Danson. The Lessee deems it necessary to inform the Public that the whole of the Chandeliers are lighted with Wax, which is considered more adapted to the comfort and health, as well as conducive to the better appearance, of the audience than Gas.' - The Morning Post, 9th of April 1838.

In 1843 Gas Lighting was installed in the Theatre rather than by candles or wax, and the forstage was removed and the proscenium altered. 1863 saw the proscenium altered further, 1848 saw seat backs being added to the circle, 1853 saw alterations FOH and Backstage, and in 1855 the Theatre changed its name to the simpler Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Left - A Programme for 'Quality Street' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1921.

A fifteen year old Ellen Terry performed there in 1863 in a production celebrating the Eastern tour of the Prince of Wales, and in 1873 matinees were introduced, an afternoon performance beginning at 2pm which had first begun at the Gaiety Theatre in the Strand and has been the bane of Actors and crew alike ever since, although audiences naturally approve.

Above - The auditorium of the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, as it was rebuilt by the architect C. J. Phipps in 1880. Full details here. Phipps removed the pit entirely, replacing it with stalls, and inserted a gilded picture-frame around the proscenium arch. The frame is still there today, although its bottom section was removed soon after installation, probably because it was muffling the sound of the orchestra. This image was first published in 1909 in The Bancrofts 'Recollections of Sixty Years'. Gorel Garlick, the biographer of C. J. Phipps, believes this to be a photograph, made for the Bancrofts' book, of a watercolour (now lost) by Phipps. Phipps was in the habit of providing his clients with watercolours before starting work to enable them to envisage what the finished commission would look like - Image and Caption Courtesy Robert Whelan.

Above - A painting depicting the Auditorium and Stage of the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1880 by George Richmond. The painting is based on the black and white photograph, shown above, of a water colour painting by the Architect C. J. Phipps, now lost. The colours used are those suggested in the contemporary article from the Morning Post transcribed here - Click for an Index to all of George Richmond's Paintings on this site.

In 1879 the Bancrofts, who had previously been resident at the Prince Of Wales Theatre, took over the Theatre Royal Haymarket and began some serious rebuilding. C. J. Phipps was the architect responsible for the alterations which included completely remodeling the auditorium, removing the Pit and replacing it with Stalls, adding a new Circle, and completely enclosing the stage with a new four sided proscenium, making this the first 'Picture Framed' stage anywhere (see image above and plan right).

Right - A Pre 1905 Seating Plan for the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.

The alterations commenced on the 1st of October 1879 and the Theatre reopened on the 31st of January 1880. The Morning Post reported on the alterations in their 2nd of February 1880 edition, which you can read here.

Left - Sir Squire Bancroft - From Cyril Maude's book on the Haymarket Theatre published in 1903.

The novelist Henry James hailed the new auditorium in Scribner's Monthly of January 1881 saying:- 'Mr Bancroft has transformed the Haymarket into the perfection of a place of entertainment.

Right - Lady Bancroft - From Cyril Maude's book on the Haymarket Theatre published in 1903.

Brilliant, luxuriant, softly cushioned and perfectly aired, it is almost entertainment enough to sit there and admire the excellent device by which the old-fashioned and awkward proscenium has been suppressed and the stage set all around in an immense gilded frame, like that of some magnificent picture. Within this frame the stage, with everything that is upon it, glows with a radiance that seems the very atmosphere of comedy.' - Henry James, 'The London Theatres', Scribner's Monthly, January 1881.

Beerbohm Tree took over the Haymarket in 1887 and had the Theatre redecorated and altered again, once more by the well known Theatre Architect C. J. Phipps. Phipps reinstated the Pit which he had removed in 1879, extended the Balcony and Gallery, and had electric light installed in the auditorium. The Theatre reopened on the 15th of September 1887 with Beerbohm Tree's production of 'The Red Lamp' and 'The Ballad Monger' in which he also acted.

Left - Beerbohm Tree - From Cyril Maude's book on the Haymarket Theatre published in 1903.

Beerbohm Tree ran the Theatre until he moved across the street to his newly built Her Majesty's Theatre in 1896, and opened that Theatre in April 1897. Her Majesty's was built by Tree from the profits of 'Trilby' which opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1895 and ran for 260 performances. As a side note the first productions of Oscar Wilde's 'A Woman of no Importance' and 'An Ideal Husband' were first produced at the Haymarket Theatre in 1893.

Above - The Theatre Royal, Haymarket during the run of 'The Chalk Garden' in 1958 - Courtesy Gerry Atkins

The Theatre Royal Haymarket closed in July 1904 for five months whilst major alterations were performed. This involved a complete reconstruction of the Bancroft's auditorium originally designed by C. J. Phipps in 1880, and now remodelled by C. Stanley Peach with the Architect S. D. Adshead, and construction by J. Jarvis & Sons. This is the auditorium which remains to this day. The alterations included reconstructing the interior right down to its foundations using steel, brick, and concrete, leaving only the stage, backstage areas, and the exterior of the building untouched. The Theatre reopened on the 2nd of January 1905 with Frederick Harrison and Cyril Maude as managers.

Right - A Programme for Noel Coward's 'Design For Living' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1939.

Backstage areas were renovated however in 1909 when a proper curtain, or tabs as they are now known, was also installed rather than the previous roller act-drop.

Left - A Programme for 'The Chalk Garden' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1956.

In 1939 further alterations were made FOH by the architect John Murray including the adding of a large Lounge Bar under the Stalls and enlargement of the Stalls Foyer but because of the war this all took much longer than expected and was not finally finished until March of 1941.

Right - A Programme for Ivor Novello's 'Comedienne' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1938.

The Theatre was extensively refurbished in 1994 at a cost of £1.3m when vast amounts of Gold Leaf were replaced, the 1821 stage and roof trusses were reinforced, the auditorium ceiling by Joseph Harker was cleaned and restored, new carpet, upholstery, and hand blocked wallpapers were replaced in the auditorium, the marble was polished and air conditioning installed. The capacity today is 903 on three levels.

Above - A mid 1920s Seating Plan for the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.

Above - A Seating Plan for the Haymarket Theatre - From 'Who's Who in the Theatre' published in 1930 - Courtesy Martin Clark. Click to see more Seating Plans from this publication.

Above - A Google StreetView Image of Suffolk Street and, to the left, the Rear Elevation of the Theatre Royal, Haymarket - Click to Interact. The arched windows are actually fake and were designed to make the building look more pleasing. The narrow Dock Doors can be seen below them, and the Stage Door is a little further down the street.

Above - The Theatre Royal Haymarket during the run of 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers' in October 2006 - Photo M.L.

The Theatre Royal Haymarket has gone from strength to strength over the years and has had numerous successes, all too many to mention here. The Theatre is currently owned by Access Entertainment. You may like to visit the Theatre's own website here.

If you have any more information or images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact me.

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