Opera Comique

The Opera Comique was a 19th-century theatre in Westminster, London, built between Wych Street, Holywell Street and the Strand. It opened in 1870 and stood underground, entered through tunnels from three streets. The architect Francis Fowler designed the theatre, which had a seating capacity of 862 and three tiers of circles. It was known as one of the "rickety twins" along with the adjacent Globe Theatre due to its flimsy construction. Performers could hear each other through the common wall, and the theatre was reportedly draughty with a long flight of stairs leading down to the stalls. The theatre is best remembered as the place where several early Gilbert and Sullivan operas had their first runs between 1877 and 1881. These included The Sorcerer, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and Patience. H.M.S. Pinafore ran for 571 performances, the second-longest theatrical run in history at the time. The theatre also hosted productions in English, French, and German, as well as extravaganzas and English versions of French opéras bouffes. Notable performers included Virginie Déjazet, Adelaide Ristori, Emily Soldene, and W. S. Penley. Visitors found a theatre praised for its elegance and adaptability to dramatic art. The auditorium had comfortable and elegant stalls on the floor, with three tiers or circles extending nearly round the house. The stage was well within sight and hearing of every part of the auditorium. The design of construction reflected high credit on the architect, and the decorations were described as chaste and elegant. The theatre opened under the name "Royal Opera Comique" and hosted notable figures such as the Prince of Wales. Despite its eventual demolition in 1902 to make way for the construction of Aldwych and Kingsway, the Opera Comique remains a significant part of London's theatrical history.