The Old Vic

Arthur Lloyd.co.uk The Music Hall and Theatre History Site Dedicated to Arthur Lloyd, 1839 - 1904. The Old Vic Theatre originally opened as the Royal Coburg Theatre on the 11th of May 1818 with three different styles of entertainment in one night; a Harlequinade 'Midnight Revelry; an Asiatic Ballet 'Alzora and Nerine'; and a Melodramatic Spectacle 'Trial by Battle or Heaven Defend the Right' by William Barrymore. The Theatre was built on former marsh land known as Lambeth Marsh and took several years to construct due to lack of finance. The Foundation stone was laid by the Prince of Saxe Coburg and Princess Charlotte of Wales in September 1816 , and building began that year, once a licence had been issued by the Surrey Quarter Sessions to the Prince and Princess of Coburg on behalf of a Mr. Jones, who had formerly run the Surrey Theatre nearby. Work was halted in early 1817 though when the money ran out and was only begun again in October when Joseph Glossop, who was a wealthy Merchant's son, provided further funding. Glossop took over the management of the Theatre and it finally opened on the 11th of may 1818 . Above - The auditorium and stage of the Royal Coburg Theatre when it first opened in 1818 From the book 'A Century of Theatrical History 1816 - 1916' by John Booth 1917. The Old Vic, as the Theatre is known today, was originally designed by Rudolph Cabanel and the final cost was £12,000. Some of the construction material for the Theatre is said to have been recycled from the former Savoy Palace in the Strand. Right - The auditorium of the Old Vic from the Dress Circle during the run of 'The Winslow Boy' in April 2013 - Photo ML (Note the un-cantilevered auditorium and its supporting pillars. A Bill for the opening of the new Royal Coburg Theatre (shown higher up on this page) read:- 'Royal Coburg Theatre, opposite Waterloo Bridge Road, Lambeth. The Nobility, Gentry and the Public are respectfully informed that the above new and splendid theatre, which has been erected according to the plans and designs and under the superintendence of the celebrated architect Mr. Cabanel, will open on Whit Monday, the 11th May 1818, under the immediate patronage of His Royal Highness of Saxe Coburg, with entirely new entertainments now preparing on a scale of magnitude and great expense. The audience part of the theatre will be lighted by a superb Central Lustre, while others of a most costly description will shed a beautiful and brilliant light over the whole house. The Decorations of the interior and Grand Panoramic Marine Saloon designed and executed by Mr. Serres (Marine Painter to His Majesty). Left - The auditorium of the Old Vic from the Dress Circle during the run of 'The Winslow Boy' in April 2013 - Photo ML (Note the un-cantilevered auditorium and its supporting pillars. The ceiling and proscenium designed by Mr. Cabanel and executed by Mr. Latilla and Assistants. The burnished gold and silver ornaments by Mr Collet and Assistants. The company already engaged include many performers of High Celebrity from the London and principal Provincial Theatres. The scenery is entirely new and painted by the following celebrated artists: Messrs Serres, Latilla, Morris, Scruton, Stanfield, S. Morris and Assistants.' - From the opening advertisement for the Theatre, shown higher up on this page. Above - The auditorium of the Old Vic from the Stalls during the run of 'Groundhog Day' in August 2016 - Photo M.L. (Note the un-cantilevered auditorium and its supporting pillars. The Royal Coburg was quickly a success and many West End Theatre actors performed there including Edmund Kean , who played there in 1831 for a fee of £50 a night, a huge sum at the time. The Theatre was redecorated in 1833 and reopened on the 1st of July that year as the Royal Victoria Theatre with a production of 'Black-Ey'd Susan' which had first been produced at the Surrey Theatre in 1829 . Paganini had his farewell performance at the Theatre on June the