London Theatres in 1900: The Alhambra, Leicester Square

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William Eley & William Fearn Sterling Silver Condiment Spoon London circa 1820
11 May 2012 at 7:17am
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Arthur H. Beavan continued his survey of London's music hall theatres, in Imperial London, published in 1901, with this look at the Alhambra:

The Alhambra always was, and is still, the most striking building in Leicester Square, because of its Oriental architecture, with crescent-crowned domes soaring aloft.

The old Alhambra was destroyed by fire in December 1882, yet so quickly was it rebuilt, that in exactly a year's time it was reopened.

This magnificent theatre, the premier for variety entertainments, is said to accommodate 5000 persons, and looking from the stage at the sea of faces in the boldly-circling tiers and floor on a full night, this estimate seems probable.

The orchestra is one of the best to be heard anywhere; and while ballet is par excellence the speciality of the Alhambra, it is often temporarily abandoned to meet the passing fancy of the public, when the menu ranges from picaninnies, animatographs, living statuary, and individual "turns," to splendid orchestral selections.

Next: London's Theatres in 1900: The Empire Leicester Square