Theaters in England. Theaters in London The largest theater in England

One of the many attractions of Manchester is an ancient building located in the city center. It is a prominent representative buildings of the Victorian era. Initially, there was a trading exchange selling cotton here. During the Second World War, the building was badly damaged; its restoration took several years. As a result, the trading floor became much smaller, and the tiers of the clock tower were much simpler. When trading on the stock exchange was suspended in 1968, the building was under threat of demolition. It sat empty until 1973, when a theater company leased it.

In 1976, the Royal Theater was formed in the building. The entrance to the theater is represented by a semicircular arch with Corinthian columns and pilasters; a marble statue of William Shakespeare rises in a niche. In the interior of the building, the richly decorated ceilings fascinate with their beauty.

City Theater

One of Manchester's main attractions is the Civic Theatre, located on Oxford Street. It was originally called the Grand Old Lady and its grand opening took place on May 18, 1891. The building work was estimated at £40,000. In the first years of its activity, the establishment operated at a loss, as it did not gain popularity among the general public. Soon the theater expanded the range of its performances, programs were added to ballet productions famous performers, and soon the establishment became a huge success. At the beginning of the 20th century such people performed here famous personalities, like Danny Kaye, Gracie Fields, Charles Lawton and Judy Garland.

In September 1940, the theater was heavily damaged by German bombing. The building gradually fell into disrepair, as there were not enough funds for restoration. In 1970, the theater was under threat of closure. In 1980, a major restoration of the building was carried out on the initiative and with funds from the local Arts Council.

Currently, the theater hosts musicals, opera and ballet performances with the participation of famous artists. The theater's original capacity was 3,675 spectators, but has now been reduced to 1,955.

Dancehouse Theater

One of Manchester's main cultural attractions is the Dancehouse, located on Oxford Road. It has a wonderful stage, equipped with the latest light and sound devices, as well as an ultra-modern hall, the seats of which are located in the form of three cascades, falling at a fairly large angle.

The interior decoration of the establishment is made in pastel colors with a predominance of peach and soft pink. The lighting in the hall depends on the nature of the production, if a fast fiery dance– all the lamps and chandeliers are turned on, and if a touching love scene is shown on stage, the hall is in twilight. The total capacity of the establishment is about 700 people, including balconies.

The Dancehouse infrastructure includes a buffet located on the ground floor and a large spacious hall with full-length mirrors. Basically, all dance events in the city take place here; it is not uncommon to meet world-class stars at the Dancehouse. Having been here, you will get a lot positive emotions and significantly increase your cultural level.

York Theater Royal

One of the significant attractions of York is the Theater Royal. The building was built in 1744 on the site of the medieval hospital of St. Leonard. IN late XIX century the theater was renovated in Victorian style. The new Gothic facade is decorated with a sculpture of Elizabeth I and characters from Shakespeare's plays.

The luxurious lobby was renovated in modernist style in 1967, during the last large-scale reconstruction. Two grand staircases connect it to a two-level auditorium that seats 847 spectators. The theater's repertoire is very diverse; it hosts classical music concerts, theater performances, jazz and folk festivals, and various entertainment events with the participation of British and foreign performers. In addition, annual competitions for young talents are held here, including theater, dance, music, and poetry. All interesting and original ideas are supported by famous figures art.

Visitors can enjoy a cozy restaurant and cafe located on the second floor of the building. The Royal Theater is historical monument architecture, popular with local residents and tourists.

Aylesbury Waterside Theater

One of Aylesbury's significant landmarks is the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. It was founded in 2010 as a result of the transformation of the Civic Hall entertainment centre. The theater building is a modern building with an elegant design. The interior of the theater contains predominantly elements of the Georgian style. The massive wooden columns and panels of the building are decorated with elaborate carvings.

The main hall of the theater consists of three levels and is designed for 1200 spectators. It uses a modern electro-acoustic system that regulates sound quality for symphonic and choral performances. The theater hosts touring performances by British and international performers, including theatre, opera, ballet, musicals and other musical events. Children's shows are very popular here, taking little viewers into the world of fairy tales and adventures.

The second hall of the theater seats 220 and is intended for chamber classical music concerts, as well as for business meetings, seminars and conferences.

The Aylesbury Waterside Theater is a popular venue for locals and tourists.

Liverpool Drama Theater

Liverpool Drama Theater has come a long way from a concert hall and music hall to modern theater with a rich and sometimes non-trivial repertoire. Its history began in 1866 as the Star Music Hall, designed by Edward Davis. The music hall's predecessor was Star Concert Hall, which was demolished for new construction. In 1895, the theater changed its focus and was renamed the Star Variety Theater.

The modern construction of the theater bears traces of numerous modifications and restorations. Global changes began in 1898, when Harry Percival built a new auditorium and a luxurious foyer. But already in 1911, the theater had new owners, who redesigned the auditorium and basement foyer and again renamed the theater the Liverpool Repertory Theatre. Finally, the last wave of global alterations available to the modern visitor overtook the theater in 1968, when a large extension was made to the northern part to organize new foyers, bars and locker rooms.

The Drama Theater is now managed by Liverpool City Council and is united in a trust with the Everyman Theatre. The theater offers audiences original and sometimes daring productions of large plays in the three-level main building, as well as miniature, intimate plays in the small Studio room with 70 seats.

Royal Shakespeare Theater

The Royal Shakespeare Theater produces plays by William Shakespeare and also hosts annual festivals dedicated to the great playwright. The theater is distinguished by strong dramaturgy, as well as high-level acting, which makes it more professional and well-attended.

The theater opened to spectators in 1879. A female architect, Elizabeth Scott, worked on the theater project. Until 1961 it was called the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. Over the years, the following directors worked at the theater: Benson, Payne, Quayle, Nunn, Richardson and others. The theater is now managed by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

After restoration in 2010, the theater became even more comfortable and beautiful. It is opposite the River Avon and surrounded by gardens. There is an observation deck with a restaurant and bar on its roof.

Mayflower Theater

One of Southampton's landmarks is the Mayflower Theater, located in the city center and opened in 1928. This is one of the largest theaters on the south coast of England. In 1995, a complete reconstruction and modernization of the theater was carried out, as a result of which the auditorium was significantly expanded. The interior of the theater, which is more in keeping with the American style, is dominated by a combination of white and blue flowers. The luxurious lobby is designed in the style of an ocean liner and is lined with marble. Several grand staircases connect it to a three-level auditorium with 2,300 seats.

The theater is a unique cultural complex that hosts classical music concerts, theater performances, jazz and folk concerts and various entertainment events featuring British and international performers. In the foyer of the theater, free concerts of chamber ensembles, performers of folk and jazz music, poets and dramatic actors are sometimes held at a good professional level. The doors of a cozy restaurant and cafe are always open to visitors on the second floor of the building. The Mayflower Theater is undoubtedly one of the best provincial theaters in the UK.

Royal Theater

The Theater Royal, in existence for over 200 years, is one of the most important theaters in England. It was opened in 1805. Accommodates an audience of 900 people. The theater offers a year-round program of high-class opera, dance, and comedy productions. Currently, part of the Royal Theater is the Theater for Young Spectators "Egg".

The Theater Royal is located near the center of Bath. The building is a prime example of Georgian architecture. The interior of the room is skillfully decorated with stucco, red and gilded details; huge chandeliers and high ceilings of the auditorium give it majesty and some mystery.

During its history, the theater was reconstructed several times, but its original splendor has been carefully preserved to this day. The Theater for Young Spectators opened in 2005 and is adjacent to the Royal Theater building and provides a rich program of professional performances and cultural events for children and young people aged 1 to 18 years.

Royal Exchange Theater

Much of Manchester's history revolves around textile production during the Industrial Revolution. As a silent witness to the former “cotton” greatness of the city, the building of the Royal Exchange remains. At one time, approximately 80% of all cotton in the world was traded here.

Manchester in the Victorian era was often called the "Cotton Capital" and the "Warehouse City". In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the term "Manchester" is still used to refer to bed linen: sheets, pillowcases, towels. The exchange building was built between 1867 and 1874, then it was reconstructed several times, as a result of which the operating room became the largest in England. The Royal Exchange was seriously damaged during the Second World War, but trading did not stop until 1968.

Since 1976, it has housed the Royal Exchange Theatre. Its auditorium is interesting in that the round stage is located in the middle, and seats for spectators rise up from it, which is very reminiscent of a theater Ancient Greece. Part of the building is occupied by shopping pavilions and numerous cafes.

Opera House

The Opera House was built in 1912 and designed by architects Farquharson, Richardson and Gill. In fact, the opera house received the status of an opera house only in 1920. It did not have a permanent acting troupe, and on its stage, as a rule, performances were staged by touring groups. In 1979, the building was converted into a gaming hall, but, fortunately, this erroneous decision was reversed after five years. Since then, the Opera House has been delighting viewers with new productions of opera and ballet performances, musicals, and children's performances.

The building of the Opera House is made in a classical style: the facade is divided by Ionic columns into unique niches, and on the pediment there is a semicircular relief depicting an ancient horse-drawn chariot. Along the lower part of the pediment there is an ornamental strip made of carved stone.

The auditorium of the theater has a semicircular shape, which is not usual for opera houses - it is somewhat elongated, and two spacious cantilever balconies hang over the stalls. On both sides of the stage there are luxuriously decorated boxes in three tiers. The decoration of the hall is dominated by gold, green walls and red velvet chairs. It can accommodate 1,920 spectators, and it must be said that almost all the theater’s performances are sold out.

The main theaters in London: drama theatre, musical theatre, puppet theatre, ballet, opera, satire. Phone numbers, official websites, addresses of London theaters.

Last minute tours to the UK
Tours for the New Year all over the world

Any Museum card UNESCO

the very best

Globus Theater

London, SE1 9DT, Bankside, 21 New Globe Walk

The Globe Theatre, one of London's oldest theatres. Today's Globus is the third theater with this name. The first Globe Theater was built on the south bank of the Thames in 1599 at the expense of a troupe of which William Shakespeare was a shareholder.

The world of London theater is large, diverse and covers all genres existing in nature. Well, since this is London, here (if you know how) you can even find those genres that have not yet been fully born: the whole world will be talking about them in a year or two or three, but for now almost no one knows about them.
In London, accordingly, there are many theaters, very different in terms of the quality of productions, repertoire and price. There are magnificent classical troupes with guests opera stars in leading roles, there are productions modern dramaturgy(mostly, of course, British), there are experimental theaters, and a lot of commercial theaters, in which Broadway (and not only) musicals are continuously shown. Some of them are just good, some are historical and very old, and some are completely unique.
The British do not go to the Globe Theatre, a constant center of tourist attraction. But they go to the Old Vic theatre.
Most famous
The most famous, serious and fundamental theater in Britain is, of course, the Royal Opera. This is one of those theaters that defines the face of the modern stage. The productions he created are then staged by other theaters around the world, the leading roles are played by world-famous stars, there are simply no bad performances, connoisseurs from all over the world come to the premieres. It also houses one of the best symphony orchestras in the world. This is what is always great and interesting.
Another famous theater is the Theater Royal Drury Lane. It holds a special place: it is the oldest working theater in Britain. It was once the main one in the country, remembers all the English monarchs over the last 3 centuries, and now it belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The Drury Lane Theater now only produces musicals. The troupe is serious - for example, it was this theater that received the right to make a musical from The Lord of the Rings.
Another Bolshoi Theater- "Coliseum". A large troupe, an extensive program, you shouldn’t count on a staged masterpiece, but an unusual and interesting building - a masterpiece of the Art Deco era. It’s also easy to buy tickets here.
The Globus Theater is a constant center of tourist attraction. The reconstructed Shakespeare theater, performances are performed as the theater worked in his era. Accordingly, almost only Shakespearean plays are staged here. The British don't come here, but for tourists - good option: There's a pretty good Shakespearean troupe here. Well, the reconstructed building is interesting to see - it was built using ancient technologies.
But the British go to the Old Vic. This is also a very old theater, it is non-profit and specializes in classic and modern British drama, there is a serious drama troupe. It's worth going here if you like good prose and don't like commercial theater.
Musicals and contemporary productions
Commercial theater is a separate article. Almost all such theaters stage musicals, and in all of them there is only one performance at a time (the same one every day for years and decades). Almost all of them are concentrated in or around Covent Garden. The Queen's Theater hosts the famous musical "Les Miserables", the Her Majesty's Theater (an ancient one, by the way - it's over 300 years old) - "The Phantom of the Opera", the Novello Theater - "Mamma Mia!", the Lyceum Theater - "The Lion King" "etc.
Some musicals are so good that one of them is worth going to see, even if you don't really like this genre in principle: they are made in such a way that perhaps your opinion will change. The most promising in this regard are “Les Miserables” and, of course, “Cats”.
In addition to entertainment theaters, there are many drama theaters in Covent Garden that stage modern plays. The main ones are Wyndham’s Theatre, Ambassadors Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Duchess Theatre, Theater Royal Haymarket (also almost 300 years old) and the already mentioned Old Vic. There are serious plays, there are comic plays, there are classics, and quite a few Shakespearean plays. To visit these theaters you need to understand English language, otherwise it won't be interesting.
Also in London there are all other types of theater possible in principle: experimental, cabaret, amateur, informal, ethnic - whatever.
Tickets for the Royal Opera can only be purchased in advance; for other theaters, tickets can be purchased right before the performance.
- Where to stay: In numerous hotels, boarding houses, apartments and hostels in London and the surrounding area - here you can easily choose an option to suit every taste and budget. Nice three- and four-star B&Bs can be found in Windsor - and the air here is wonderful. Cambridge will delight you with an excellent choice of hotels and proximity to the student “get-together”.

Take up some kind of art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, stage, poetry, fiction, essay, reporting, no matter whether it’s successful or unsuccessful, not for the sake of money or fame, but to feel the formation, to find what is inside you, to make the soul grow.

From a letter from novelist Kurt Vonnegut to students at Xavier High School

Have you ever felt your heart empty after watching a brilliant performance? Do you know how crazy it feels when your favorite hero decides to do something incredible and wins? If you experienced similar things at least once after visiting the theater, know that it was then that your soul grew. It is not luxurious costumes or pompous decorations that make you feel this, but human talent. This is art that cannot be measured by earnings or success - the viewer either believes it or not.

We've rounded up the London theaters you should visit to experience the unique power of talent. Add at least one of them to your wish list and you definitely won’t regret it. Perhaps a fateful performance will change your whole life and reveal those sides of your soul that you yourself did not know existed.

Royal Court Theater (source – PhotosForClass)

The innovative Royal Court Theater

The Royal Court is one of London's most famous theatres. He was loved by audiences and critics due to his innovative style. The theater constantly works with young screenwriters and organizes training for writers. Every year, the establishment’s office processes about 2.5 thousand scripts. The best of them are performed on stage. Royal Court has already introduced the world to the screenwriter of the film “The Neon Demon” Polly Stenham and the author of the screenplay of the famous BBC drama “Doctor Foster” Mike Bartlett. Perhaps you too will attend a premiere from the future Tarantino or Coppola.

Address: Sloane Square, Chelsea, London

Lyric Hammersmith Youth Theater

This London theater is not just an artistic institution with a fresh take on productions, but also a platform for perspectives. It creates opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people who want to connect their lives with the stage. The theater team believes that art helps to gain confidence and discover one's potential. This is why Lyric Hammersmith employs so many young people. Here you can spend time not only watching a performance, but also during a family vacation. After the renovation in 2015, the theater became an open public space where even children can participate in learning and perform on stage.

Address: The Lyric Centre, King Street, Hammersmith, London

Old Vic Theater (source – PhotosForClass)

Theater with Old Vic history

Over the 200 years of its existence, the Old Vic has been a tavern, a college and a coffee shop. It once housed the National Theater and the National Opera. It has evolved from an eclectic establishment to a modern youth platform. The theater is open to everyone: training programs for young talents, budget performances for interested audiences, family vacation and evenings with friends at the local pub. On the stage of the Old Vic you can see the world's most famous actors, including Daniel Radcliffe, Ralph Fiennes and Kevin Spacey. The latter, by the way, managed to work as an art director of the theater.

Address: The Cut, Lambeth, London

Unconventional theater without stereotypes Young Vic

The young heir to London's Old Vic theater began as an experimental project. The then director of the Old Vic, Laurence Olivier, wanted to create a space where plays by new authors would be developed and young audiences and young theater groups would come together. Although the art directors of the institution changed, the ambitions remained. In its almost 50 years, the theater maintains an atmosphere of innovation and uniqueness. Among the Lambeth community it bills itself as “the home you didn’t know existed.” It seems that this is why locals love to visit it so much. Here you can really meet a lot of young people who are actively discussing the next event or waiting for the premiere over a cup of coffee.

Address: 66 The Cut, Waterloo, London

London Palladium Theater (source – PhotosForClass)

West End musical theaters LW

One of the most well-known networks theaters in London remains LW Theatres. It unites 7 institutions, on the stage of which they stage mainly musicals. LW includes: Adelphi Theater London, Cambridge, Gillian Lynne Theatre, Her Majesty's Theatre, Palladium London, Theater Royal Drury Lane, and The Other Palace. Most of them have existed for many decades and amaze visitors with their splendor and richness. Gilded balconies and boxes, antique candelabra and painted walls - all this is worth seeing to feel the spirit of old England. Other Palace is the youngest theater of these. This is a large youth space with entertainment, events and recording and rehearsal studios. “The feeling of excitement, spontaneity, continuous exchange of energy between audience and performer.” – this is what the LW Theaters group offers its guests. London Broadway is waiting for you.

Barbican Theater and Arts Center

This place combines a cinema, a library, conference rooms, restaurants and a theater. The latter was created by the Royal Shakespeare Company as its London residence. It is through this collaboration that visitors can experience modern incarnations of classic Shakespearean plays. In addition, in the center you can watch broadcasts of performances from the Royal National Theater and the Globe Theater in London. “Barbican” is a mixture of innovation and tradition, a classic brought to the current realities with challenges and problems modern world. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the largest art center in Europe.

Address: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London

Royal Opera (source – PhotosForClass)

London's classic gem Royal Opera House

The London Opera and Ballet Theater is one of the city's greatest and most luxurious stages. It became the home of the Royal Opera, Royal Ballet and Orchestra. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is Patron of the London Ballet Theatre, and Prince Charles of Wales is Patron of the Opera. The latter is also the owner of another institution with a long tradition - the Coliseum Theater in London. The National Ballet of England performs in this magnificent hall between tours. By the way, you can visit the largest theater in the city not only during the performance. Tours are conducted here for guests who dream of learning the secrets of creating the most famous productions.

Royal Opera House Address: Bow Street, London

The musical wonder of the capital, the Piccadilly Theater

London theaters offer a huge list of performances for connoisseurs of all types of art. Fans of musicals will be simply enchanted by the productions of the Piccadilly Theater in London. His team takes into account all comments from visitors and is open to criticism: all comments and impressions can be left on the site. However, let's face it, it's extremely difficult to find negative reviews about this place. Londoners are passionate about all aspects of it, from the fabulous shows to the friendly staff. Bright scenery, talented actors, a real musical whirlpool help you take your mind off everyday affairs and gain inspiration.

Address: 16 Denman St, Soho, London

Lyceum Theater (source – PhotosForClass)

Concert venue and Lyceum theater

Do you love mysticism and everything connected with it? Then you will be interested in the place where one of the most famous Gothic novels in the world, “Dracula,” was born. Author Bram Stoker worked as a business manager at the Lyceum Theater in London. Henry Irving invited the famous writer to the position, artistic director and actor. However, the list of celebrities involved in the history of Lyceum does not end there. Sarah Bernhardt, Eleanor Duse and Mrs. Patrick Campbell played on the stage here. After World War II, the building became a ballroom where Led Zeppelin, Queen and Bob Marley performed. And only in 1996 it again became a theater of musicals and opera. Until now, “Face” is one of the the best theaters and concert halls in London.

Address: Wellington Street, London

Dominion Hit Musical Theater

Dominion Theater (source – PhotosForClass)

“Swan Lake”, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, “Notre Dame de Paris” - this list goes on forever. Perhaps no other theater in London can boast such a repertoire of famous productions. In the 80s, this location became one of the most popular venues in the city. Concerts by Duran Duran, Bon Jovi, and David Bowie. But the Dominion Theater in London is famous for more than just its performances. The annual Royal Variety charity event has been held here on several occasions. It combines performances by popular musicians, dancers and comedians into one televised concert. This collection of donations to the Royal Charitable Foundation is carried out under the patronage of Her Majesty. Queen Elizabeth herself often attends the concert, as do other members of the royal family.

Address: 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London

London's theater is incredibly diverse, from innovative to classical, from drama to musical and comedy. You can also feel a piece of home by visiting theaters of different nations. For example, one of the largest communities represents several Russian theaters in London.

Even if you previously felt that the auditorium was not for you, the capital will break those thoughts. There is no division into classes or social conditions, because the art of London's theaters and museums is accessible to everyone.

Of course, the list of theaters worth your attention does not end with this top 10. There are ten times more of them: Almeida, Novello, Palace. We must not forget about famous theater Shakespeare in London and the Royal National Theatre. To view all London theatres, listings and tickets, use the London Theaters website.

Ganna Koval

Origins theatrical arts England go back to ancient ritual games that survived in English villages until the 19th century. Among their most popular were the “May Games” - ritual celebrations in honor of the arrival of spring, whose constant characters have been since the 15th century. were Robin Hood and his daredevils. In the Middle Ages, the genres of church drama - mystery and morality plays - spread in England. In these genres, in particular, the characteristic English taste for humor and vivid life details manifested itself. So, main figure English morality plays - religious allegorical plays - was the prankster Sin, a cheerful glutton and drunkard, one of the ancestors of Shakespeare's Falstaff. During the Renaissance, Renaissance drama in England, unlike a number of others, European countries did not break with medieval traditions. Having emerged in the first half of the 16th century, it quickly emerged from schools and universities onto the stage of the square theater and relied on its experience (see Medieval theater, Renaissance theater, W. Shakespeare).

Globus Theater. Appearance.

David Garrick as Richard III in tragedy of the same name W. Shakespeare. Drury Lane Theatre. London. From an 18th century engraving.

Drury Lane. Theater building. From an 18th century engraving.

Drury Lane. Auditorium. From an 18th century engraving.

George Bernard Shaw.

Charles Laughton as Galileo in B. Brecht's play “The Life of Galileo.” 1947

Laurence Olivier as Richard III in the tragedy of the same name by William Shakespeare.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” by O. Wilde on the stage of the Old Vic Theater in London.

Paul Scofield (left) as Salieri in the play “Amadeus” by P. Schaeffer.

At the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century. The theatrical art of England is experiencing an era of rapid prosperity. In London, acting troupes appeared one after another, playing for the common people, first in the courtyards of hotels, and then in special theater buildings, the first of which was built in 1576 and was called the “Theater”. Then other theaters with sonorous names appeared in the English capital - “Swan”, “Fortune”, “Nadezhda”. The plays of William Shakespeare were staged on the stage of the famous Globe, and the tragedian Richard Burbage (c. 1567–1619) became the first in world art to play Hamlet, Othello, and Lear.

W. Shakespeare is the greatest of the English playwrights of the Renaissance. But it would be wrong to consider him a loner genius. His work was preceded by the plays of a group of playwrights (J. Lily, R. Green, T. Kyd, C. Marlowe), in whose comedies, historical chronicles and tragedies, the ideas of Renaissance humanism were combined with the traditions of folk spectacles. Next to Shakespeare worked the master of social satire B. Johnson, author philosophical tragedies J. Chapman, creators of romantic tragicomedies F. Beaumont and J. Fletcher. Shakespeare's younger contemporaries were J. Webster, who wrote bloody horror tragedies, and J. Shirley, author domestic comedies from London life.

In the 20–30s. XVII century performing arts English Renaissance is entering a time of crisis, and during the bourgeois revolution, in 1642, by order of parliament, theaters were closed. They resumed their activities only after the restoration of the monarchy, in 1660. But now, instead of the open stage of the square theater, a stage closed on three sides appeared (modeled on the Italian and French theaters), which still exists in the theater.

Of the dramatic genres, comedy developed most fruitfully during the era of the restoration of the monarchy. Comedy writers W. Congreve, W. Wycherley, J. Farquer created effectively constructed works, full of brilliant, albeit somewhat cynical, wit. Under the pen of these playwrights, a typically English genre arose - “comedies of wits,” where dialogue, paradoxical and swift, like an exchange of sword blows, becomes almost more important than the course of the plot; it was destined to be reborn two centuries later in the works of O. Wilde and B. Shaw.

Comedy continued to be one of the main genres in English drama in the 18th century, during the Enlightenment. The Beggar's Opera (1728) by John Gay (1685–1732) combines literary and musical parody with political satire. Henry Fielding's (1707–1754) early works included poignant political plays written in the 1730s. and containing criticism of the nobility and the government (“The Judge in His Own Trap,” “Don Quixote in England,” etc.). In response to the appearance of these bold accusatory comedies, the ruling circles of England introduced strict theatrical censorship. G. Fielding is the author of political reviews in the form of a comedy (“Historical calendar for 1736”, 1737; etc.). Brilliant in form, the comedies of Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774; “The Night of Errors,” 1773) and Richard Sheridan (1751–1816; “The Rivals,” 1775; “The School of Scandal,” 1777; etc.) are directed against the immorality of the “high” world , the hypocrisy of bourgeois relations, combine social satire with realistic brightness of characters.

The principles of classicism (see Classicism) were not established on the English stage, which gravitated towards realistic authenticity. In contrast to the classicist tragedy, the bourgeois drama of J. Lillo and J. Moore, which depicted the life of bourgeois-philistine circles, developed in English drama. Enlightenment realism in the English theater reached its peak in the work of the actor David Garrick (1717–1779), who not only amazed his contemporaries with the insight and psychologism of his performance of Shakespearean roles, but also carried out a number of reforms in the field of staging performances and organizing the troupe. He considered the theater to be an educator of society.

The 19th century was a time of decline and flourishing of English drama English novel. The gap between the level of novel and drama, generally inherent XIX literature c., in England turned out to be especially obvious. The basis of the repertoire of the largest English actors of the 19th century. E. Kean (see Edmund Kean), W. Macready, Ch. Kean, E. Terry, G. Irving composed Shakespeare's plays. In the 19th century On the English stage, a type of Shakespearean performance developed, based on the use of historically accurate scenery, designed in detail folk scenes, an abundance of technical effects. Productions of Shakespeare's plays by Charles Kean at the Princess Theatre, S. Phelps at the Sadler's Wells Theatre, and G. Irving at the Lyceum Theater brought the emergence of the art of directing closer. However, when at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. When the English art of directing was born, it first of all tried to break with the historical everyday life of the theater of the last century in the name of poetry and convention inherent in the nature of stage art. For example, the famous director Gordon Craig (1872–1966) sought to build a theatrical performance as a movement of poetic metaphors unfolded in time, embodied in color, light, and transformations of theatrical space.

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) performed brilliantly in English drama with his ironic comedies ridiculing the hypocritical respectability of the upper classes (“Lady Windermere’s Fan,” 1892; “An Ideal Husband,” 1895; “The Importance of Being Earnest,” 1899), and Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), whose work, full of bold social ideas and murderous anti-bourgeois criticism, has become a dramatic classic of our century (The Widower's House, 1892; Mrs. Warren's Profession, 1894; Major Barbara, 1905; Pygmalion) , 1913; “Cart with Apples,” 1929; “Millionaire,” 1936, etc.).

In the first decades of the 20th century. In England, a system of commercial theater was emerging, which is still in effect and is entirely focused on entertaining the bourgeois public. But the most fruitful theatrical explorations took place in England outside the commercial theater - on the stages repertory theaters Birmingham, Manchester, at the Shakespeare Memorial Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon and especially at the Old Vic Theater in London, which survived in the 30s. a time of rapid prosperity. During these years, a whole constellation of actors appeared on the stage of the Old Vic: John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Peggy Ashcroft and others. They created a stage style that was based on national traditions in theatrical art, but at the same time expressed the dramatic worldview of the British who survived the horrors of the First World War (1914–1918). This attitude was most consistently expressed in D. Gielgud’s performance of the role of Hamlet and in the images he created in Chekhov’s works: A. P. Chekhov’s plays, especially “The Cherry Orchard,” became an integral part of the English theater repertoire.

In the 30s. In England and abroad, the plays of John Boynton Priestley (1894–1984) gained popularity, combining the sharpness of the plot with a socially accusatory meaning (“A Dangerous Turn”, “Time and the Conway Family”).

After World War II English theater is going through a period of crisis. His way out of the crisis in the 50s. associated with the activities of the group English writers known as "angry young people". They expressed dissatisfaction younger generation bourgeois reality. This group includes playwrights D. Osborne (“Look Back in Anger,” 1956), S. Delaney (“A Taste of Honey,” 1958) and others. In the 60–70s. the principles of socio-psychological drama began to be developed by D. Arden (Sergeant Musgrave's Dance, 1961), D. Mercer (Flint, 1970), H. Pinter (The Watchman, 1960; No Man's Land, 1975).

Following the renewal of dramaturgy came the renewal of the English stage. Arrived new stage theatrical history Shakespeare. The play "King Lear", staged by P. Brooke, with Paul Scofield in leading role, conveyed the tragic and sober worldview of modern humanity, which has experienced the horrors of war and fascism. The Chronicles of Shakespeare on the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theater (as the Memorial Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon became known since 1961), directed by P. Hall, exposed the social roots of English history with merciless clarity.

In the 60–70s. A youth theater movement called the “fringe” (“sideline”) and associated with the search for politically active art directly involved in social struggle spread throughout England. Within the framework of the fringe, a new generation of English actors was formed, who then, in the 80s, came to the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theater and the National Theater (established in 1963). Perhaps this generation will have to say a new word in English theatrical art.

London is famous for its museums, historical buildings, and ultra-modern restaurants. But only the theatrical life that dominates the city distinguishes it from other cities. If a play was successful in London, it would repeat its success elsewhere.

London's only competitor can be New York with Broadway, but even it cannot boast of theater buildings that have a long and rich history. The central part of the city, the West End, the South Bank and Victoria districts amaze with a special concentration of theaters - from small studios for 100 spectators to large temples of Melpomene. We offer an overview of the ten largest theaters in London.

The Shaftesbury Theatre, located just off Holborn Street, is listed as one of Britain's most architecturally and historically valuable buildings. Thanks to a small accident that occurred with the roof of the building in 1973, attention was paid to it. Since 1968, the famous musical “Hair” has been shown on its stage 1998 times. The show, which promoted the hippie movement, was later closed. When the musical was first shown on stage in the West End, theater censor Lord Cameron Fromentil "Kim" Baron Cobbold banned it. The producers turned to Parliament for help, and it gave permission by issuing a bill that completely annulled the baron's ban. This unprecedented event in the history of theatrical art brought an end to theatrical censorship in Britain - not bad for a theater with a capacity of 1,400 spectators.

Just a few blocks from Shaftesbury is the Palace Theatre, which can also seat 1,400 spectators. His specialty is musicals, such as Singin' in the Rain or Spamalot. The theater opened in 1891 and became known as the Royal English Opera under the patronage of Richard d'Oyly Carte. lately In addition to operas, musicals, films and other shows are shown on stage. Throughout the 1960s, The Sound of Music performed at the theater 2,385 times. The theater is included in the list of buildings in Britain that have architectural and historical value. Along with it, other buildings in the area were included in the list.

The Adelphi Theater recently celebrated its 200th anniversary. Despite the modest size of the building, the theater can accommodate 1,500 spectators. He is known for productions such as Chicago and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The 1930 Art Deco building is adjacent to the Strand Palace Hotel. This is the fourth building in the entire history of the theater since 1809. A plaque on the wall of a nearby bar blames the theater for the death of the actor, who was once supported by the great Terriss. But in fact, Prince Richard Archer, a failed actor who had lost popularity and decency due to an addiction to alcoholism, pleaded guilty to the murder of his mentor Terriss in a state of insanity and was sent to compulsory treatment in psychiatric hospital, where he led the prison orchestra until his death. They say that the ghost of the unavenged Terriss, who is upset by the lenient sentence imposed on his protégé and murderer, still wanders around the theater building at night.

Some shows have been on stage in London's West End for decades, and Victoria Palace constantly offers fresh repertoire, such as the musical Billy Elliott. Although it has been on stage since 2005, which is a lot, according to regular viewers. The theater has a long history, which began in 1832, when it was just a small concert hall. Today the building, which was built in 1911, can accommodate 1,517 spectators. It is equipped with a sliding roof, which is opened during intermissions to ventilate the hall. There were many memorable shows on the theater stage, but the most memorable of them was the patriotic play "Young England" of 1934, which received many negative reviews. It lasted only 278 performances.

The Prince Edward Theater is located in the heart of Soho and can seat 1,618 people. It is named after the heir to the throne of the British Crown, Edward VIII, a king who was on the throne for only a few months and abandoned it in the name of love. Traditionally, romantic shows and performances take place on stage, for example, “Show Boat”, “Mamma Mia”, “West Side Story”, “Miss Saigon”. The theater has a long history, dating back to 1930 when it was just a cinema and dance hall. Only in 1978 did the theater open, timed to coincide with its opening with the premiere of the musical “Evita” about the world famous woman, the wife of the President of Argentina. The play went on to run for 3,000 performances, and actress Elaine Page, who played Evita, had a brilliant start to her theater career and became a star.

Despite the redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road in London to create a better road junction, one thing remains unchanged - the giant statue of Freddie Mercury with his hand raised while singing "We Will Rock You" in front of the Dominion Theatre. The show has been on the theater stage since 2002 and, despite unkind reviews from critics, was a success with audiences. The theater, built in 1929 on the site of an old London brewery, can accommodate 2,000 spectators. The building also houses the Australian Sunday Church, which uses the theater's stage and lighting during masses.

This is one of the grandest theaters in London. The columns that adorn the central entrance date back to 1834, and the building itself was reconstructed in 1904 in the Rococo style. Throughout the history of its existence, which dates back to 1765, it has had everything except a theater, for example, for 50 years it hosted Secret Beef Steak Society dinners. In 1939, they wanted to close the building, but due to the start of road construction, it was saved. For 14 years, the play “The Lion King” was performed on the stage of the theater, and the Disney dramatization seems to have settled here for a long time and brings good box office receipts.

This is not why the Theater Royal, which can accommodate 2,196 spectators, is considered the leading theater in London. Since 1663, there have been several theaters on this site, and Drury Lane itself is considered a theatrical street. Like many other theatres, the Royal worked under the direction of Andrew Lloyd Webber, author of the musicals Evita and Cats. Other productions that have been presented on stage include Oliver, which was made into a musical film of the same name, The Producers, Shrek and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which is still running. In addition to musicals and actors, the theater is famous for its ghosts, such as the ghost of a man dressed in a gray suit and cocked hat. According to legend, he was killed in the theater building in the 18th and 19th centuries. Another ghost is Joseph Grimaldi, a clown who is said to help nervous actors on stage.

The London Paladium Theater is famous not only in London, but throughout the world. It is a few steps from Oxford Street. He became popular thanks to the night show “Sunday Night at the London Palladium”, which ran from 1955 to 1967. Millions of spectators got acquainted with the rotating stage and stage actions of various types. In 1966, the owners of the building tried to sell it for further reconstruction, but it was saved thanks to theatrical investors and the fact that in addition to the theater, in 1973 a concert hall was opened there for performances by the rock group “Slade”. The constant sold-out crowds and active actions of the group's fans almost caused the collapse of the balcony in the hall. In 2014, the talent show “The X Factor: The Musical” was opened in the theater hall.

If the Appollo Victoria theater is not the most popular in London, then it can safely be recognized as the highest. It is located a few meters from the Victoria Palace and can accommodate 2,500 spectators. Several theaters from the presented review are located nearby and create a kind of “theater country”. Apollo Victoria opened in 1930. The building is designed in an art deco style with a nautical theme with fountains and shells as decoration. It took 18 years to construct railway for the musical “Starlight Express”, so that the train would move around the perimeter of the auditorium according to the script. Another popular musical staged at the theater is “Wicked”. The box office receipts from the premiere amounted to 761,000 pounds, and over the course of 7 years, the income from the performance is estimated at 150 million. Film lovers claim that the theater will die out in the near future, but statistics related to the number of spectators at each musical and the amount of box office receipts indicate otherwise. The smell of rouge and whitewash, the noise of the auditorium will never disappear.
However, modern architecture is in no way inferior to the beauty and elegance of historical theater buildings.