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UK:England & Wales South;Inset London,1903 map
31 Dec 2009 at 11:15pm
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Sir Walter Besant, in The Fascination of London, published in 1903, continues his survey of the Haymarket with a look at Her Majesty's Theatre:

The Haymarket Theatre and the old opera-house were the most important buildings in the Haymarket.

The latter was on the site of Her Majesty's Theatre and the Carlton Hotel.

It was called at different times the Queen's Theatre, the King's Theatre, and Her Majesty's Theatre, so the new name is but a revival of the old.

The first theatre on this site was begun in 1703 as a theatre for Betterton's famous company, which had been performing in Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Operas were subsequently performed here; in fact, nearly all Handel's operas were written for this theatre.

Masquerades were held in the opera-house in 1749 and 1766, and were attended by all the rank and fashion of the day, and even by royalty in disguise.

In 1789 the theatre was burnt down. It was rebuilt and completed only three years after the catastrophe.

This house saw some fine performances of the Italian Opera Company, and in it the names of Grisi, Rubini, Tamburini, Lablache, Mario, and Jenny Lind, first became known to the public.

In 1867 it also was burnt down. For about a quarter of a century a third theatre stood here, but had no success, and was pulled down.

The present theatre (Her Majesty's Theatre) is of great magnificence, and will seat between 1,600 and 1,700 persons.

Next: The Theatre Royal, Haymarket