Garrick Theatre

The Garrick Theatre stands in Charing Cross Road in the City of Westminster. Built at the end of the 19th century, it is the second London theatre and the first in the West End named after the actor David Garrick. The building was financed by W. S. Gilbert and designed by Walter Emden and C. J. Phipps. Excavations for the dress circle revealed an old river beneath the site, causing delays and extra costs. Gilbert joked about abandoning the project to keep the fishing rights instead. The theatre opened in 1889 with Arthur Wing Pinero’s play *The Profligate*, which ran for 129 performances. The Garrick has hosted many notable figures and productions over the years. Early successes included Pinero’s *The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith*, which scandalised some audience members. Actor-managers like John Hare and Arthur Bourchier shaped its early seasons, staging works by J. M. Barrie, J. B. Priestley, and Gilbert himself. During the 1930s, the theatre faced threats of conversion into a cinema, but a long run of *Love on the Dole* restored its fortunes. After the Second World War, Jack Buchanan managed the theatre and featured farces by Vernon Sylvaine. Today, the Garrick continues to present plays and musicals. It has hosted revivals of works by Shaw, Coward, and Pinero, alongside comedies like *No Sex Please, We’re British*. The theatre has also featured drag performances, stand-up comedy, and dramas such as *Bent*. Its stage has seen stars like Edith Evans, Tallulah Bankhead, and Frankie Howerd. The building remains a lively part of London’s theatre scene, blending classic and contemporary productions.