Alhambra Theatre

The Alhambra Theatre stood on the east side of Leicester Square in London’s West End. Built in 1854 as the Royal Panopticon of Science and Arts, it soon became a grand music hall. Designed by T. Hayter Lewis, the building featured Moorish-style towers, a dome and a vast central rotunda. Its 104-foot frontage made it one of the tallest structures in the area. The theatre was later rebuilt several times, most notably by Frank Matcham in 1912. By the early 20th century it had hosted ballets, circuses and early films. It was demolished in 1936 to make way for the Odeon Leicester Square. The Alhambra became famous for its lavish productions and lively atmosphere. In the 1860s, manager John Hollingshead introduced sumptuous staging and a promenade bar where audiences mingled with performers. The theatre’s ballet corps, led by prima ballerina Emma Palladino, drew large crowds. Georges Jacobi composed over a hundred works for the stage during his tenure as musical director. Entertainments included the scandalous Can-Can by the ‘Parisian Colonna’ troupe, which led to the loss of its dancing licence in 1870. Early film pioneer Robert W. Paul also presented programmes here in 1896. Inside, the Alhambra offered a grand rotunda 94 feet in diameter and height. The basement canteen became a popular gathering place during intervals. The theatre’s name changed frequently, reflecting its varied entertainments. Productions ranged from Dion Boucicault’s fairy extravaganza ‘Babil & Bijou’ to wartime revues like ‘The Bing Boys Are Here’. The building’s Moorish-inspired architecture set it apart from its neighbours. Though long gone, its legacy lives on in the site now occupied by the Odeon Leicester Square.