There are theatres pretty much everywhere in London. With over 100 to choose from, it's hard not to find one. Anyone wandering along the streets will be able to discover the most famous theatres in London and find out about their often tumultuous past.
The Royal Opera House was opened in 1732 in Covent Garden and is home to the Royal Ballet and Royal Opera. Originally called the Covent Garden Theatre, it is one of only two that were allowed to present 'legitimate' theatre. It suffered from a terrible fire in 1808 which gutted the original before a new theatre was built. However this also burnt down in 1856. In 1892, a third and final theatre was built and renamed The Royal Opera House before a 210 million refit in 1996.
The Palladium is home to the pantomime, so expect to hear lots of cries of "It's behind you!" The theatre stands on Argyll Street and is nestled neatly between some of London's most famous streets including Oxford Street, Regent Street and Carnaby Street. Its history can be traced back to 1870, when a hall known as The Corinthian Bazaar was built on the site of the Duke of Argyll's residence.
The modern reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe, which we know today, is built around 200m from the site of the original on the Southbank. Recreated to reflect as much of the original Globe as possible, it took over 20 years to be built and finally opened in 1997. When staying in cheap hotels in the city in the summer, it's an absolute must to visit for a theatre experience unlike any other.
The Royal Albert Hall was built to fulfil the vision of Queen Victoria's consort Prince Albert of a 'central hall' that would be used to promote the Arts and Science. If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful facade, it really is a must-visit. Prince Albert requested that it be built at the heart of the South Kensington estate and be surrounded by museums and galleries.
The Royal Opera House was opened in 1732 in Covent Garden and is home to the Royal Ballet and Royal Opera. Originally called the Covent Garden Theatre, it is one of only two that were allowed to present 'legitimate' theatre. It suffered from a terrible fire in 1808 which gutted the original before a new theatre was built. However this also burnt down in 1856. In 1892, a third and final theatre was built and renamed The Royal Opera House before a 210 million refit in 1996.
The Palladium is home to the pantomime, so expect to hear lots of cries of "It's behind you!" The theatre stands on Argyll Street and is nestled neatly between some of London's most famous streets including Oxford Street, Regent Street and Carnaby Street. Its history can be traced back to 1870, when a hall known as The Corinthian Bazaar was built on the site of the Duke of Argyll's residence.
The modern reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe, which we know today, is built around 200m from the site of the original on the Southbank. Recreated to reflect as much of the original Globe as possible, it took over 20 years to be built and finally opened in 1997. When staying in cheap hotels in the city in the summer, it's an absolute must to visit for a theatre experience unlike any other.
The Royal Albert Hall was built to fulfil the vision of Queen Victoria's consort Prince Albert of a 'central hall' that would be used to promote the Arts and Science. If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful facade, it really is a must-visit. Prince Albert requested that it be built at the heart of the South Kensington estate and be surrounded by museums and galleries.
About the Author:
Steve Alexander is a travel writer living in London. Click here for everything you need to know about the capital, including the best places to visit and top things to do on an evening.
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