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The Metropolitan (c1836 - 1950) (London)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: c1836 - 1950
  • Usage: 1862 - 1864
  • Usage: 1864 - 1950

Biography

The Metropolitan theatre of varieties in Paddington, London, was built on the site of the White Lion Inn, which was extended in 1836 to accommodate a concert hall and present music hall entertainments. This side of the business proved popular and the hall was extended in 1862 to increase capacity and reopened as Turnham’s Grand Concert Hall until 1864 when it was rename the Metropolitan Music-Hall.

After enjoying years of success in the 1890s the building became outdated and its audience stated to dwindle. In response to this, the building was rebuilt by architect Frank Matcham in 1897.

The Metropolitan enjoyed success until the 1950s when it started to decline and was purchased by the London County Council to make way for a road-widening scheme. The Metropolitan was demolished in 1963.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

The Metropolitan Programme, 26 March 1898

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.115
Scope and Contents Three fold programme containing black and white illustrations of people singing and dancing in the contryside on and an illustration of the outside of the theatre on the outside, inside commercial advertising and programme listing Mdlle. Lucretia, Miss Helen Stuart, Mr George Brooks, The Sisters Aindow, Miss Godwynne Earle, Mr Dennis K. McCarthy, Miss Millie Lindon, Mr William E. Bates, Mr T.E. Dunville, Mr Paul Marinetti, Miss Kittee Rayburn, The Grat Shawline, Miss Rose Dearing, Mr Bernard...
Dates: 26 March 1898
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Programmes

The Metropolitan Programme, 1 January 1898

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.116
Scope and Contents Three fold programme containing black and white illustrations of people singing and dancing in the contryside on and an illustration of the outside of the theatre on the outside, inside commercial advertising and programme listing Mr Lester King, Miss Lily Marney, Mr Arthur Lennard, Miss Amy Clevere, Mr Fred Herbert, Miss Florrie Gallimore, Mr Frank Coyne, Mill Lyly Burnand, The Leonards (Bob & Jennie), Mr Chas. Godfrey, Les Frassettis, Mr G.W. Hunter, Miss Marie Lloyd, Miss Kate James,...
Dates: 1 January 1898
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Programmes

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