Latest news with #FrankMatcham
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Isle of Man Gaiety Theatre celebrates 125 years of storytelling
A seaside theatre that was "under real threat of closure" in the 1970s is celebrating 125 years of by renowned architect Frank Matcham, the Isle of Man's Gaiety Theatre opened its doors on Harris Promenade in Douglas for the first time on 16 July such as Ken Dodd and Joanna Lumley have trodden the boards, and the performance space has hosted countless pantomimes, dance shows and Wilson-White of the VillaGaiety complex said it was and "incredibly special" theatre and she "couldn't imagine" the island without it. Before being opened at the turn of the 20th Century, the building was home to the Pavilion Theatre which had been closed after just six first production at the venue after Matcham's renovation was a performance of The Telephone Girl, starring musical comedy actress Ada Blanche.A projection suite was installed in 1932, at a time when demand to visit cinemas was high, which went on to became the theatre's principal form of entertainment during World War 1971 the building, which had become dilapidated, was bought by the Manx government for £41, restoration works began later that decade, before further extensive repair works took place during the 1990s ahead of the theatre's centenary in 2000. Technical Manager at VillaGaiety Séamus Shea said the Victorian theatre had hosted a range of entertainment over the years, from "ice shows, circuses, and shows with three or four hundred kids on stage, to one man standing at the front telling stories like Ken Dodd or John Bishop". He said in the 1970s, ahead of the "faithful restoration" of the 1990s, there were "sad stories of the wrecking ball turning up outside and people chaining themselves to the railings saying no". Mr Shea said without people vocally supporting the theatre in the latter part of the last century the outcome could have been different."I think without acts like that, and without appeals, and publicity about what a gem we had behind the decay, it's possible the theatre could have been lost," he been part of the team for more than 30 years now, he said the "amazing" space was "the best office". Wilson-White, who is head of culture and the arts at VillaGaiety, said it was now a space that was meant to be accessible for all Manx residents and visitors."We have people coming here for their first ever theatre show at four, but also coming at 94," she said."They're doing it in a place where for 125 years people from the Isle of Man have done that before them."They are following in a long line of audiences and I love seeing that play out almost every day in this building." "This theatre has to exist because it has been at the heart of our community for 125 years and therefore its been at the heart of the stories we've told ourselves", Ms Wilson-White said."I couldn't imagine an Isle of Man without the Gaiety," she theatre, which has 862 seats across 4 levels, welcomed 78,470 visitors last year. Member of the department of Education, Sport and Culture Sarah Maltby MHK said the island was "incredibly lucky to have such a magnificent venue", which "really is a community asset"."So many people are really fond of this place, it holds very special memories," she said it was really important to have a venue like it that was in "such good condition", which was "a testament" to the Friends of the Gaiety Theatre, known as the Fogs, others who played a key role in its restoration. Maltby said Tynwald had an approved strategy for supporting arts and culture on the island, which included maintaining the part of that, a £1.6m investment was made in upgrading the sound and lighting equipment at the venue and the nearby Villa Marina."We do rely on the Fogs and volunteers who support the venue because they care so much, but it can't be all fundraising in the community, some of that has to come from Treasury," she said."The government is very fortunate to have those people and hopefully working together we can continue to see the place prosper for another 125 years." Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Ultimate guide to the London Coliseum
The London Coliseum is one of the most recognisable and famous theatres in the West End. It's also the largest theatre in the capital, offering a huge space for staging epic opera productions, dance and theatre shows. Find out more about the Coliseum London, including its storied history, what shows are on, and all about London Coliseum seating and booking London Coliseum tickets. History of the venue The Coliseum Theatre London first opened on St Martin's Lane in the West End in December 1904, although it was originally called the London Coliseum Theatre of Varieties. It was designed by the celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham, and the intent was to create the finest music hall of the age – the 'people's palace of entertainment'. It took a while for the venue to find its true purpose; in the meantime, the owners experimented with everything from plays, operettas and variety acts to hosting a cricket match. Musicals proved a big hit from the 1940s onwards. In 1968, the Sadler's Wells Opera Company (later the English National Opera) moved into the London Coliseum. What's on at the London Coliseum The Coliseum is now the official home of the English National Opera (ENO) and English National Ballet (ENB), so their shows make up the bulk of the programming. It also regularly stages large-scale musicals during the summer. In 2025, for example, the London Coliseum is hosting the ravishing stage musical version of The Great Gatsby. Current and upcoming shows The Great Gatsby is currently playing at the Coliseum. This spectacular stage musical version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's seminal novel was a sensation on Broadway and is the perfect fit for this spectacular venue. Upcoming shows include ENO's productions of Rossini's Cinderella, Bizet's Carmen, Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring, and Handel's Partenope. Dance productions include ENB's gorgeous family Christmas show, Nutcracker, and Akram Khan's spine-tingling version of mystical ballet Giselle. Past events The London Coliseum has seen a number of extraordinary ENO opera productions and ENB dance productions over the years, as well as musicals such as Queen's We Will Rock You, classic musical My Fair Lady, and the joyful Hairspray and On Your Feet. What you need to know about booking London Coliseum tickets It's simple to find the best seats at the Coliseum and make the most of your visit. How to book online Visit Telegraph Tickets to find all the latest shows playing at the Coliseum. Once you've chosen your preferred show, select the date you want to go and choose your seats on the seating map. You can find images on the show page too if you want to see London Coliseum photos. The Coliseum has four seating sections. The stalls are closest to the stage and offer the most excitingly immersive experience. The dress circle gives you a slightly different vantage point from above the stage and also offers excellent views. Higher up are the upper circle and balcony, which still offer great seats but, if price is a consideration, this is where you'll find cheap tickets. Accessibility at the London Coliseum The Coliseum has plenty of assistance for people with additional needs, as well as accessible seating options. There are wheelchair spaces in the stalls, dress circle and stalls boxes, and transfer seats in the dress circle and balcony. There are adapted unisex toilets and two lifts provide access to the venue's bars and restaurants. Age restrictions Each show's page on the Telegraph Tickets site offers helpful information about age restrictions. For example, if you're booking tickets for Nutcracker at the Coliseum, you can see that the show is recommended for ages five and above. Refunds and exchanges Tickets purchased through Telegraph Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after you have made your purchase, unless the performance is cancelled or rescheduled. In that case, you will be entitled to claim a refund. Theatre capacity The London Coliseum has a seating capacity of 2,359. The venue also boasts the widest proscenium arch in the West End, and it's worth a visit purely to see this beautifully conceived building, although the extravagant shows are clearly the main draw. Planning your visit To make your visit to the Coliseum as smooth and enjoyable as possible, it's worth planning ahead. Where is the London Coliseum? The Coliseum is on St Martin's Lane, London WC2N, in the heart of the West End. It's surrounded by other venues that light up this world-renowned theatre district. It's very easy to combine a theatre trip with other sightseeing or cultural activities, whether that's a visit to Leicester Square or Trafalgar Square, to the National Gallery or National Portrait Gallery, or areas like Chinatown, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus. There are numerous restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés within walking distance, as well as plenty of excellent transport links. How to get there: directions and transport Plot the best route to the London Coliseum via public transport by visiting the Transport for London website, which includes the underground train system (Tube), overground trains, buses, walking routes with maps, and more. Make sure you leave plenty of time for entering the theatre and having your bag checked (in line with the venue's bag policy), as well as buying a drink and programme, and then finding your seat. Nearest Tube station The closest Tube station to the Coliseum is Leicester Square, which is on the Northern Line and Piccadilly Line and is only a couple of minutes' walk from the theatre. Charing Cross Station is also very close by. It serves the Northern Line, Bakerloo Line and mainline train services. Other forms of public transport Numerous bus and overground train routes take you to the West End. You can also rent a bike through the Santander Cycles scheme if you are a confident cyclist, and it's also pleasant to walk around the area and enjoy this bustling part of London. Places to stay The centre of London has plenty of hotels to suit every preference and budget. Hotels close to the Coliseum include The Savoy, Premier Inn, Radisson Blu, The Dilly, The Cavendish, Strand Palace, The Z Hotel, St Giles London, The Clermont, and The Waldorf Hilton. Dining suggestions You can enjoy a pre- or post-theatre meal at one of the West End's excellent dining spots. And the Coliseum itself has fantastic food options, including a luxurious afternoon tea. Nearby, Covent Garden has dozens of high-quality eateries and, if you're a fan of Asian cuisine, make a bee-line for London's superb Chinatown district. FAQs How big is the London Coliseum? The Coliseum has a capacity of 2,359 across four sections: the stalls, the dress circle, the upper circle and the balcony. It's the largest theatre in London and has the biggest proscenium arch, so watching shows here is a spectacular experience. This huge space allows directors to stage ambitious productions with big casts and orchestras, making it one of the best venues in London to experience a full-scale opera, ballet or musical. Does the London Coliseum have air conditioning? The Coliseum has an effective air-cooling system for the comfort of the performers and audience. Does the London Coliseum have a dress code? There is no set London Coliseum dress code, so you are free to wear whatever you wish. However, in such a majestic setting, you might want to wear a dress or smart trousers to add to the fun of the occasion. What time should I arrive before a show? The Coliseum opens its doors 75 minutes before the show begins, so you're very welcome to arrive early, soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful building, buy a programme, and have a drink in one of the bars (which also open 75 minutes ahead of showtime). The auditorium opens 30 minutes before curtain up. The venue recommends that you arrive no later than 15 minutes before the show begins, so that you're not in a rush to find your seat and get settled. Note that the theatre will get very busy just before the show so, if you want to avoid the rush, try to get there earlier.
BBC News
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Liverpool Olympia: Historical venue to celebrate 120th anniversary
One of Liverpool's most cherished entertainment venues is set to celebrate its 120th Olympia was designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham and opened its doors in April 1905 as a purpose-built indoor circus and variety Grade II listed building on West Derby Road has hosted some of the biggest names in theatre, music and comedy, including The Beatles, Little Richard and escapologist Harry venue is marking the milestone on 26 April with a night of live music headlined by rock band Embrace, with the Bluetones, Rats and Liverpool's The Real People, also among the line-up for the celebrations. When the Olympia's huge auditorium was built, with stalls and three levels of balconies, it could accommodate almost 4,000 people while animals were housed in a large basement area dubbed the "elephant pit".The aquatic extravaganzas staged in a vast tank below the floor held up to 80,000 gallons of was awarded listed status in 1975 when it was described by English Heritage, now Historic England, as "a well-preserved example of the work of the foremost Edwardian theatre architect". In its time it has also been a pioneering cinema as one of the first regional picture houses to show talkies, a wartime Royal Naval depot and a renowned dance hall – the Locarno – where couples would foxtrot and jive the night away under its grand domed ceiling, as well as a Mecca bingo 1990, the current owners purchased the neighbouring Grafton Rooms and while operating it as a nightclub, they began to refurbish it to bring it back to life after several years of closure. The venue eventually reopened in February 2000 and over the last 25 years it has become a much-loved live music also holds club events, sports and comedy, as well as providing a location for TV shows, films, adverts and music videos such as Peaky Blinders and Tin Star. 'A cornerstone' The independent venue's managing director Chris Zorba said: "I'm proud to take this iconic venue into its 120th year. "The Olympia has been a cornerstone of Liverpool's entertainment history since 1905."We'll celebrate the year from 24 April with an eclectic programme of gigs, comedy and sporting events."And along with our unmissable 120th anniversary evening, we also have Liverpool's Shack reforming for a sold-out gig on 25 April, followed by the likes of the Liverpool Gospel Music Festival, Supergrass, Michael Kiwanuka, Father John Misty and Future Islands before the summer alone," he added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Exhibition celebrates 125 years of Gaiety Theatre in Douglas
A new exhibition celebrating the 125th anniversary of seaside theatre on the Isle of Man has been unveiled at the Manx mark key moments in the history of the Gaiety Theatre, highlighting its early days, restoration work and some well-known faces that performed on its display also features objects connected to the performance space such as a drum that belonged to comedian Ken Manager at VillaGaiety Séamus Shea said it was a "perfect opportunity to honour the legacy of this iconic venue and reflect on its ongoing story". Situated on Harris Promenade in Douglas it was designed by renowned English architect Frank Matcham and celebrated its opening night on 16 July first production it hosted was a performance of The Telephone Girl, starring musical comedy actress Ada demand to visit cinemas was high a projection suite was installed in 1932, which went on to became the theatre's principal form of entertainment during World War building, which had become dilapidated, was bought by the Manx government in 1971 and some restoration works began later that decade, with further extensive repair works taking place during the 1990s. Manx National Heritage (MNH) said architect Frank Matcham had transformed "a non-descript music hall on Douglas Promenade" into "something truly special".The venue had survived "changes in taste and fashion, and narrowly avoided demolition on at least one occasion" but now "stands as the finest example of its kind in the British Isles", it organisation the "magnificent building" MNH curator Matthew Richardson said the the hardest part of the project had been distilling the broad history of the building into exhibition."I have always loved the atmosphere of the Gaiety and have long thought how lucky we are on the Island to have such a magnificent building,"Mr Shea said the "captivating display" highlighted the theatre's "rich past, from its vibrant performances and renowned artists over the years to its transformation into a cinema and eventual restoration". Gaiety 125 can been seen in the Cabinet of Curiosity until 18 May and it will return to the space after a short break in the summer.
