19th century Adelphi Theatre

sketch of scene jane scott s 1816 play, old oak chest

on 18 october 1819, theatre reopened under present name, adopted adelphi buildings opposite.

in years, theatre known melodrama, called adelphi screamers. many stories charles dickens adapted stage here, including john baldwin buckstone s christening, comic burletta, opened on 13 october 1834, based on story bloomsbury christening. notable being thought first dickens adaption performed. first of many of dickens s works adapted stage of adelphi, including pickwick papers william leman rede s peregrinations of pickwick; or, boz-i- a-na, three-act burletta first performed on 3 april 1837, frederick henry yates s production of nicholas nickleby; or, doings @ do-the-boys hall in november , december 1838, , edward stirling s two-act burletta old curiosity shop; or, 1 hour humphrey s clock (november , december 1840, january 1841). theatre itself, makes cameo appearance in pickwick papers

the adelphi came under management of madame celeste , comedian benjamin webster, in 1844, , buckstone appointed resident dramatist. dramatisations of dickens continued performed, including christmas carol; or, past, present, , future opening on 5 february; , beckett s chimes: goblin story of bells rang old year out , new 1 in. in 1848, haunted man , ghost’s bargain performed.

charles dickens haunted man , ghost’s bargain @ adelphi, in illustrated london news, 30 december 1848

the old theatre demolished, , on 26 december 1858, new adelphi opened , considered improvement on cramped circumstances of original, had been described hasty conversion tavern hall, permanently kept in provisional state . new theatre seat 1,500 people, standing room 500. interior lighted stroud s patent sun lamp, brilliant array of gas mantles passed through chandelier of cut-glass.

in mid-19th century, john lawrence toole established comedic reputation @ adelphi. in mid-19th century, adelphi hosted number of french operettas, including la belle hélène. in 1867, however, adelphi gave english comic opera boost hosting first public performance of arthur sullivan s first opera, cox , box.

the building renovated in 1879 , again in 1887 when house next door, along hampshire hog in strand , nell gwynne tavern in bull inn court, bought gattis in order enlarge theatre. built new enlarged facade , part of can still seen today above crystal rooms next door present adelphi theatre.

an actor performed regularly @ adelphi in latter half of 19th century, william terriss, stabbed death during run of ‘secret service’ on 16 december 1897 whilst entering theatre royal entrance in maiden lane used private entrance. recorded on plaque on wall stage door. outside neighbouring pub, sign says killer 1 of theatre s stage hands, richard archer prince committed murder. has been said terriss ghost haunts theatre. terriss daughter ellaline terriss, famous actress, , husband, actor-manager seymour hicks managed adelphi years @ end of 19th century. stage door of current adelphi in maiden lane in bull inn court. william terriss later have theatre named after him, terriss theatre in rotherhithe, later known rotherhithe hippodrome.

the adjacent, numbers 409 , 410 strand, built in 1886–87 gatti brothers adelphi restaurant. frontage remains same, plate glass windows, and, theatre, grade ii listed building.