greenwich-theatre

The Greenwich Theatre is an English theatre located in Croom's Hill close to the centre of Greenwich in south-east London. Theatre first came to Greenwich at the beginning of the 19th century during the famous Eastertide Greenwich Fair at which the Richardson travelling theatre annually performed.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Richardson's travelling theatre made its annual tented appearance during the famous Eastertide Greenwich Fair. In Sketches by Boz, Charles Dickens reminisced enthusiastically, "you have a melodrama (with three murders and a ghost), a pantomime, a comic song, an overture, and some incidental music, all done in five-and-twenty minutes". In 1842, The Era reported that performances at Richardson's theatre attracted upwards of 15,000 people. The fair was closed down in 1853 "in consequence of the drunkenness and debauchery (it) occasioned, and the numerous convictions of pickpockets that took place before the police magistrates". On at least two subsequent occasions, the Greenwich Theatre celebrated its Richardson heritage. In April 1868, at Eleanor Bufton's first night as manager, she recited a poem written for the occasion weaving the Richardson saga around her own. Five years later, at Easter 1873, lessee and manager Mr J. A. Cave reproduced Richardson's performances as closely as possible and even brought back Paul Herring, veteran clown of the 1820s' fair. There are two later newspaper references to a theatre in Greenwich that was burnt down around 1835, but no other details are given.

After extensive experience as actor/comedian travelling the world and manager/theatre builder in South Africa, Sefton Parry built his first English theatre on a vacant site on London Street (now Greenwich High Road) at Greenwich. It opened in May 1864 with seating for 1000 people. He promised that the style of performance would be similar to that of the old Adelphi, but there would be improvements to suit contemporary taste that made the most of the latest skills and recent inventions. His aim was to attract the highest class of residents by superior pieces carefully acted by a thoroughly efficient company. His first recruits were Bessie Foote from the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, Eliza Hamilton from the Theatre Royal, Sadler's Wells, Sallie Turner, eldest daughter of Henry Jameson Turner of the Royal Strand, Josephine Ruth from the Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, and Marion Foote; also Messrs. Frank Barsby from the Theatre Royal, Brighton, W. Foote from the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh), E. Danvers from the Royal Strand Theatre, and Mr Westland. On opening night The Era described it as "perhaps the most elegant Theatre within twenty miles of London". Initially christened the New Greenwich Theatre, it subsequently acquired several new names including Theatre Royal, New Prince of Wales's Theatre, Morton's Theatre and Carlton Theatre. Even so, it continued to be known as the Greenwich Theatre and was still recorded as such in 1911 before becoming a cinema. The alternative name, Theatre Royal, Greenwich, emerged as early as 1865 and was used in The Era as late as December 1902. It remained in Parry's ownership until his death in December 1887 when ownership was transferred to the Sefton Parry Trust. It was sold by auction as the "Greenwich Theatre" in 1909.

Parry was soon involved in building further theatres in London. By September 1866, William Sydney (who also managed theatres in Richmond, Norwich & Stockton) had become the lessee and manager, and Herbert Masson his musicaldirector. W. J. Hurlstone, who had been acting manager for Parry, was re-engaged in the same role. By 1867 the lessee was a Mr Mowbray, and the manager Fanny Hazlewood. Her agent was Henry Jameson Turner whose agency had at one time acted for Parry. At the end of Hazlewood's short tenure before she went to America there were serious issues of non-payment of rent and wages.

The Swanborough family, who managed the Royal Strand Theatre from 1858 to 1883, were the next lessees of the Greenwich Theatre. On 11 April 1868, the theatre, popular for its burlesque, opened for the season under the new management of the Welsh actress Eleanor Bufton (wife of Arthur Swanborough). The house had been entirely renovated and redecorated.

Available at this venue:

• Wheelchair-accessible entrance
• Wheelchair-accessible seating
• Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Not available at this venue:

• Wheelchair-accessible parking

Accessibility information supplied by Google Maps. Please contact the venue directly to confirm details for your visit.