Theatre Royal Haymarket

Theatre Architecture

The Theatre Royal Haymarket as it stands today opened in 1821 and has had the auditorium rebuilt twice during its years. The first occasion in 1879 included work on the Theatre Royal stage to create the first complete picture frame proscenium. The second rebuild of the auditorium was highly controversial and even caused small riots. The pit was abolished and replaced with stalls seating, a concept entirely new to theatres in London at the time.

The Theatre Royal Haymarket interior was completely reconstructed again in 1905 and remains much the same today. Less drastic alterations have been made to the theatre since this time, including the construction of the theatre bar underneath the stalls seating. In 1994 a major aesthetic refurbishment saw the transformation of a number of the theatre's original features including the central chandelier and gold leafing throughout the auditorium and foyer.