Holborn Theatre

The Holborn Theatre stood on High Holborn in central London. It opened in 1867 as the New Royal Amphitheatre, an equestrian ring with theatre space. The building occupied the site of the old Metropolitan Horse Bazaar, nearly opposite the Inns of Court Hotel. Thomas M’Collum, an American circus owner, managed the venue under a 55-year lease with William Charmen. The architects were Thomas Ennor and Thomas Smith, who designed a circular auditorium with a canvas ceiling lit by gas burners. The theatre offered a mix of equestrian shows, vaudeville and drama. Its first performance in May 1867 included acts by horses and riders alongside plays. In 1872 the English premiere of Offenbach’s operetta La Vie parisienne took place here, adapted by F. C. Burnand. Lionel Brough appeared in the cast. By 1884 the building had been renamed the Holborn Theatre and its capacity increased to 2,000 seats after redecoration. A riot in 1884 led to temporary closure before reopening the next year. Visitors found a circular auditorium with two stables and sixteen dressing rooms. The stage was only 20 feet deep but served its purpose. The front row of the gallery held 150 seats with stuffed cushions, while the rear gallery seated about 550 with standing room for 200 more. A promenade fifteen feet wide ran behind the gallery. The Royal Box sat in the centre of the house facing the stage, with its own retiring room. The Grand entrance led to a stone staircase with carved balustrades and arched supports in Pompeian style.