The Coliseum Theatre, 5 Star Hotels in London near Coliseum Theatre, West End Theatres

The Coliseum Theatre

33 St Martin's Ln, Westminster, London WC2N 4

The London Coliseum Theatre can be found on Saint Martin’s Lane in the London Borough of the City of Westminster. With a capacity of 2359 seats over four levels it is the largest theatre venue in London city. This magnificent historic building is officially known as the Coliseum Theatre and its speciality is operatic productions and as such is home to the English National Opera. The Coliseum has the widest proscenium arch in London and was one of the first theatres to have electricity. The theatre has earned the prestigious Grade ll listed status by English Heritage for its outstanding architecture plus its historic significance.

The Coliseum was designed by architect Frank Matcham for impresario Sir Oswald Stoll with the sole aim of being the largest and finest “People’s palace of entertainment” of its time. It was to be a Theatre of Variety plus a mix of a music hall and was opened in 1904 with the inaugural performance of a variety bill on 24th December. Its famous slogan was “Pro Bono Publico” (For the public good).
During the Second World War the Coliseum would serve as a canteen for Air Raid Patrol workers and the then Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill gave a speech from the stage. After the war the venue was mainly used for American musicals.

In 1968 it reopened and became home to Sadler’s Wells opera. Then in 1974 Sadler’s Wells became the English National Opera (ENO) and the company purchased the freehold of the venue in 1992 for £12.8 million. Between 2000 and 2004 extensive renovations have been carried out especially to facilitate the ENO. During this time the original staircase designed by Frank Matcham was put to his specifications and the auditorium and other areas were returned to their former Edwardian design.

To this day the Coliseum Theatre is one of the grandest venues in the city of London and the magnificence of the building is also matched by the quality of the productions which it houses. Night after night all ENO productions are sung in English and it attracts the most famous and talented performers, directors and visiting troupes. The theatre also hosts at times the world famous Royal Variety Performance.

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