A Fairly Quick Historical record of the Performing Arts in the West End of London - By: Bruno Blackstone

Not long ago, The author experienced a short theatre break with a group of mates. We all witnessed Agatha Christie’s now infamous play ‘The Mousetrap’ already in its 59th year making it the longest running play in London and now, according to its website, the entire world. Many people consider it amazing that the thriller has such longevity; the earth has changed dramatically since the play was first performed all those years ago and yet folks continue to flock to enjoy the performance each day.

All of this started me contemplating about the history of the play in the West End, you'll find approximately forty venues these days in the locality which was newly renamed by Westminster Local council as ‘Theatreland’ (it shall contunue to be the West End to the author). So, at what point did it get started, why that section of London and how did all of them finish up in the same district? I decided to do a little analysis:

London’s love affair with the theatre started in 1576 when ‘The Theatre’ was created in Shoreditch, it was the first long term public playhouse - before drama companies had travelled all around and entertained in spaces like village greens. A second playhouse ‘The Curtain’ quickly appeared both establishments were actually patronised by William Shakespeare’s theatre company, timbers from ‘The Theatre’ were taken to Southwark to construct ‘The Globe’ during 1599.

Theatre was forbidden by Oliver Cromwell in 1642 but following the Reformation in 1660 two companies were approved to stage plays and did so inside of adapted venues until the Theatre Royal was built in 1663 (on the site of the current Theatre Royal, Drury Lane). Two extra venues followed much later in 1720 and 1732 but serious constraints placed on the sector at that period of history halted further expansion for some years.

In the 19th Century the growing acceptance of Music Hall and a loophole in the legislation meant that small theatres and venues started springing up in the West End, including The Adelphi in 1806.

The Theatres Act of 1843 relaxed legislation, which meant that the growth of the West End gained pace and the development bonanza lasted until the First World War. Most of the theatres however date back to the Victorian or Edwardian period, the bulk of which have excellent charm and sumptuous decor however this may mean that audience amenities such as leg room, rest rooms and bars are not adequate for one's contemporary requirements. A recent prediction put the price tag of updating the theatres (most of which are listed buildings) at £250 M, because the buildings are privately financed the money would have to be raised by the proprietors on their own – a very large task!

And so, this is a very condensed account of the 100's of years of history that happen to be packed into that small district of London, it definitely is fascinating. There are a great number of tales of desire and grief, wealth and dsappointment, the progress of contemporary theatre and of course the odd ghost yarn. For anyone who is taking a look at a London theatre trip for your next celebration (together with studying what musical you intend to go and see) I would genuinely recommend looking into the history of the district before you leave.

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