The Lyric Theatre

One of the grandest West End venues, Lyric Theatre was built by producer Henry Leslie from the profits he made from the opera Dorothy. The show was running at the Prince of Wales Theatre where it enjoyed a record breaking run. Leslie hired services of Charles J. Phipps for the design of the edifice and subsequently transferred Dorothy here when the newly built Lyric Theatre opened on 17th December 1888. The house was the second theatre built in Shaftesbury Avenue and is the oldest one in that street today. In 1932-33 an extensive refurbishment of the Lyric Theatre was carried out that improved its bars and the foyer while the facade of the venue was restored in 1994. It can accommodate 967 audiences in its all four levels at present but its initial capacity was of 1,306. One interesting view that makes the Lyric Theatre all the more must visit destination is the electric pump that is still in use to operate the iron curtain of the house The Lyric Theatre even today withholds some of its pristine charms that include its grand Edwardian Architecture. Phipps exhibited to the world outstanding charisma of his creativity when he built the theatre in a way that it had an eighteenth century house façade as its front. The venue continues to retain the impressive feature while being located at the rear to the Great Windmill Street that houses Sir William Hunter’s former residence and museum.