Reading practice

You’re going to read a magazine article in which people talk about their favourite London theatres.  Answer the questions with the theatres A-E.

Which theatre(s)

Is very convenient for sightseeing?	1
Have helped make history?	2	3	4
Recently acquired a new owner?	5
Was the venue of a first experience for an important person?	6
Are sometimes visited for more than just shows and events on stage?	7	8
At one time made it possible for its performances to be seen by people outside the theatre?	9
Could be unpleasant on a rainy day?	10
Do people sometimes not pay very much attention to?	11
Is exactly the same as an earlier theatre built on the same site?	12
Are being used today for the exact purpose they were built for?	13	14	15

LONDON THEATRELAND

A.      The Lyceum Theatre

David Bateman is a huge fan of this theatre. “You cannot find a theatre with a more varied past,” he argues.

So is he right? Well, initially a venue for musicals, the Lyceum soon began to host a variety of different events, such as the very first Madame Tussard’s exhibition in 1802.  After this came many successful theatrical productions but it wasn’t long before there were more changes and the theatre was used as a music hall before once again becoming a theatre.  And it was during this period, in 1934, that Queen Elizabeth II saw her very first pantomime here! Today it is the proud home of the stage musical version of the massively successful Disney animation The Lion King.

B.      The Savoy Theatre

The Savoy Theatre is built in a style called ‘Art Deco’, which is what first caught the attention of Mark Ford. “It is incredibly beautiful,” he explains, “and the first place in the world ever to be lit entirely by electricity.”

The Savoy was built specifically for performances of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, but other productions such as Shakespeare plays and ballet performances have also graced its stage over the years.  Now it puts on Gilbert and Sullivan musical productions again.  “It was recently bought by the Savoy Hotel, which added another storey to the top of the building,” says Mark.  “So now it has a health club and even a swimming pool, which I think is absolutely wonderful!”

C.      The London Palladium

Felix Knight would be surprised if you hadn’t heard of this very famous theatre in the West End.  “It is very dear to me,” says Felix, who has fond memories of the Palladium.

In the 1950s Felix, along with millions of other viewers across Britain, would watch Saturday Night at the Palladium, a weekly variety show televised live from the theatre.  Stars from all over the world appeared on the show, including Felix’s idol, Frank Sinatra.  “I was so familiar with the Palladium, but I had never actually been there!” laughs Felix.

Nowadays, the theatre hosts musicals, currently The Sound of Music, but it also maintains its glamorous image, hosting a number of important events such as the British film awards in 2007.

D.      The Globe Theatre

“People tend to overlook the Globe Theatre because it’s not in the West End, but this theatre is a jewel!” says Jane Campbell.

The theatre is a replica of the Elizabethan playhouse that was built there in 1599 and where Shakespeare’s plays were written and performed.  Every last inch of the rebuilt Globe is authentic, even the fact that it is an open-air theatre (so consider choosing a dry day to go there!).  The only difference is that four hundred years ago plays by different playwrights were performed there, whereas now the Globe is strictly for Shakespeare only.

Jane has enjoyed many plays at the Globe, but also appreciates other aspects of the theatre.  The theatre hosts many interesting exhibitions.  Plus, it’s only minutes away from other great attractions such as St Paul’s Cathedral.”

E.       The Piccadilly Theatre

For Mariella Clark, this theatre is her number one choice.  Opened in 1928, it may not be the oldest theatre in the West End, but it is one of the biggest and has definitely made its mark – during its time as a cinema it actually showed the first talking movie ever!  For a while it went back to functioning as a theatre again before its reinvention as a cabaret venue. The London Casino.  Now it’s a theatre once again.

“I’d always assumed that theatres put on plays or musicals from day one,” Mariella says, “so I was quite surprised when I first began to realise that they often have quite interesting histories.”

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