Theatre London: A Guide

London theatre has long been held in high esteem by residents and visitors. But what of the spaces in which performances are staged? Theatre London gives audienceswhether in the many art-deco palaces of the West End or old music hall spaces out eastsomething to look at in the intervals, and points out the details and rich interiors which provide the atmosphere to make London the capital of theatre. In more than 70 entries the book charts the history of London's theatre architecture from the first purpose-built theatres in the Elizabethan period, which also saw the city's first theatre-building boom. The work of the later specialistsincluding Frank Matcham, C. J. Phipps, Walter Emden and Bertie Crewedesigners who could pack a large audience into often very tight sites, embellishing their work with riotous decoration, is well represented. In recent times an influx of public money from the Lottery on an unprecedented scale has produced disappointing results; no really good or innovative new theatres have yet emerged from this massive arts windfall. Theatre London also includes a series of short biographies, and a list of theatre buildings currently being used for other purposes. A new perspective on London's theatre scene, written to appeal to theatre-lovers and architecture professionals, both armchair and actual visitors. Covers West End theatres and lesser known theatre spaces and includes biographies of London's major theatre designers. 120 b/w photographs.