File:Billy Elliot - Victoria Palace - Victoria, London (8103651838).jpg

Buildings in Victoria, London. We were here to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria.

Found another theatre here - the Victoria Palace Theatre. Currently showing Billy Elliot.

It is Grade II* listed.

Victoria Palace Theatre, Westminster

WESTMINSTER

1900/99/10473 VICTORIA STREET 23-JUN-72 (North side) Victoria Palace Theatre

(Formerly listed as: VICTORIA STREET SW1 VICTORIA PALACE VARIETY THEATRE)

II* Theatre. Built 1911 by the variety magnate Alfred Butt, to the design of Frank Matcham. Builders Henry Lovatt Ltd. Extended 2000.

PLAN: Comprises deep frontage block 3 bays wide and 3 bays deep. 4 storeys plus basement and concealed attic. The bay at the very centre of the block was originally 3 storeys, with lantern and lightwell above, now floored over. Entrance lobby leads through to central foyer and large auditorium to N with dress circle and gallery. Outer bays contain separate stair compartments, serving the dress circle to right (W) and gallery to left (E). Grand stair in rear bay of foyer leads down to stalls on left and up to dress circle on right. Above the foyer is a series of bars: at first floor the dress circle bar (originally the Ladies' Tea Room or Adams Room); at second the Tudor (originally 'Old English') Bar, accessed by an enclosed stair at the rear of the dress circle, and at third bar only one bay deep serving the gallery; this was extended rearwards over the roof and lantern of the Tudor Bar in 2000. A former manager's flat at attic level is now offices; this too was extended rearwards in 2000. A basement bar is now much altered. At ground floor, to the E of the main building in what was an pre-existing building, is the former 'stalls saloon' bar. In front of this is a second foyer, installed in 2000 in the former gallery queuing yard, which is interlinked with the main foyer.

MATERIALS: Façade clad in 'Penteliko' and 'Keramo' white faience produced by Gibbs & Canning; return (W) elevation faced in red brick, faience and stone.

EXTERIOR: Baroque style. Symmetrical 3-bay front with broader central bay. Central entrance with original polished hardwood glazed doors with curvilinear glazing bars and bevel-edged glass. Cantilevered entrance canopy with coloured glass front bearing theatre name dates from 1927. Doors to staircases to either side. Central bay projects slightly with great niche rising through first and second floors with key bearing female bust. Now obscured by advertising, the niche has a balcony with tripartite windows with French doors to central bay and decorative iron balustrade, above which is a decorative typanum with an oval window. Open loggia with Ionic columns to third floor; flanking pilasters have cartouches to tops; pediment over. Plain frieze; parapet bears theatre name in red faience lettering. Stair windows to either side of niche on 3 levels comprise keyed oculi to ground floor, and paired square-headed windows to mezzanine and first floor. Oval windows to third floor with cherub-head keystones and swags, flanked by niched Ionic columns. Rich modillion cornice. Parapet bearing 2 over-life-size female figures, and urns to each corner. Crowning octagonal Ionic cupola in manner of Wren, bearing gilded figure of Anna Pavlova (replicated from original taken down in 1940 and lost). To right (E) is a single-storey triple-arched entrance with a balustraded parapet bearing the theatre name, formerly leading to a queuing yard for the gallery, now the entrance to the 2000 foyer extension.