Frank Matcham (born 22 November 1854, Newton Abbot, Devon - died 17 May 1920, Southend-on-Sea, Essex) was a famous English theatrical architect. Events 498 - Kofi Aseidu- After the death of Anastasius II, Symmachus is elected Pope in the Lateran Year 1854 ( MDCCCLIV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year Newton Abbot is a market Town in Devon, England on the River Teign, with a population of 23580 (2001 census Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland An architect is a licensed individual who leads a design team in the Planning and Design of buildings and participates in oversight of Building Construction Buried in Highgate Cemetery. Highgate Cemetery is a Cemetery located in Highgate, London, England.
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Early career
Frank Matcham's father was a brewery clerk, and he was raised in Torquay, where he attended Babbacombe school. Torquay (tɔrˈkiː is a town in the Unitary authority of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. In 1868, he was apprenticed to a local surveyor and architect, George Sondon Bridgeman. Year 1868 ( MDCCCLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap He moved to London and joined the architectural practice of Jethro Robinson, consulting theatre architect to the Lord Chamberlain's office. The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom, and is to be distinguished In 1877 Matcham married Robinson's youngest daughter, Effie, and only a year later his father-in-law died and he found himself in charge of the practice, at the age of 24. Year 1877 ( MDCCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Frank Matcham received no formal training as an architect, but learnt the practicalities on the job. [1]
His first commission was to complete the designs of the Elephant and Castle theatre (opened June 1879). Year 1879 ( MDCCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
Career
Matcham and two architects he helped to train, Bertie Crewe and W.G.R. Sprague, were together responsible for the majority - certainly more than 200 - of the theatres and variety palaces of the great building boom which took place in Britain between about 1890 and 1915, peaking at the turn of the century. Bertie Crewe (died 10 January, 1937 in London) was one of the leading English theatre designers in the boom of 1885 to 1915 Biography WGR Sprague (1863&ndash1933 was a theatre designer in the grand age
Matcham himself designed; Cheltenham Everyman Theatre (1891) Blackpool Grand Theatre and the Wakefield Theatre Royal and Opera House in 1894, as well as Buxton Opera House and the Royal Hall (Kursaal), Harrogate in 1903, and the Liverpool Olympia (1905). Blackpool Grand Theatre is probably the oldest and best-known Theatre in the town of Blackpool, England. Year 1894 ( MDCCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Buxton Opera House is in The Square Buxton, Derbyshire, England. Harrogate (or Harrogate Spa) is a large wealthy Spa town in North Yorkshire, England. Year 1903 ( MCMIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar or a Common year starting Liverpool Olympia is situated next to The Grafton Ballroom on West Derby Road Liverpool, England. Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting He also designed several famous London theatres: the Hackney Empire (1901), the London Coliseum (1904), the London Palladium (1910), the Victoria Palace (1911), and rebuilt the Alhambra Theatre (1912), in Leicester Square. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Theatre (or theater, see spelling differences) is the branch of the Performing arts defined by Bernard Beckerman as what "occurs when one The Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street in the London Borough of Hackney, built in 1901 as a Music hall. Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The Coliseum Theatre (also known as the London Coliseum) is on St Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on The London Palladium is a 2286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, opposite Victoria Station. Year 1911 ( MCMXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year This article is about the former theatre in London Alhambra Theatres were located throughout the British Empire significant examples were located in London Bradford, Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting For the British guitarist see Lester Square. Leicester Square (ˈlɛstɚ is a Pedestrianised square in the West End
Matcham is remembered in Northern Ireland for his design of the Grand Opera House (opened December 1895) on Great Victoria Street, Belfast. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The Grand Opera House is a theatre in Belfast, Northern Ireland, designed by the most prolific theatre architect of the period Frank Matcham. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. In Douglas, Isle of Man he is famed for the design of the Gaiety Theatre, which survives to this day. Douglas (Doolish is the capital of the Isle of Man and its largest town
Matcham also designed theatres in Scotland: in Aberdeen, there were His Majesty's Theatre, built in 1904 to replace the Tivoli Theatre - the Tivoli was originally known as Her Majesty's Theatre, opened in 1872 to the designs of C. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Aberdeen ( pronounced; Aiberdeen Obar Dheathain is Scotland 's third most populous city and one of Scotland's 32 local government council His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen, is the largest theatre in north-east Scotland, seating over 1400 Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on Year 1872 ( MDCCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year J. Phipps, and was subject to alterations by Matcham in 1897, followed by a complete interior rebuild by him in 1909. Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Both theatres still survive in Aberdeen, although the Tivoli is sadly disused after a spell as a bingo hall. In Edinburgh, he designed the Empire Palace Theatre, opened in 1892, and he also rebuilt it after a fire in 1911. Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. Year 1892 ( MDCCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year It was subsequently demolished and rebuilt in 1927/8, this time to the designs of Newcastle architects Milburn and Milburn, and still stands today, having been refurbished after a time as a bingo hall, as the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, albeit with a modern glass facade built in 1994. Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Edinburgh Festival Theatre is a performing arts venue located on Nicolson Street in Edinburgh Scotland used primarily for performances of Opera Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) He also designed the King's Theatre, Glasgow on Bath Street in 1904, which happily also still entertains citizens of that city today. The King's Theatre is located in Glasgow, Scotland. It was designed by English theatre architect Frank Matcham and opened in 1904 Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on
One unusual commission, built around 1900, is the three blocks in Briggate, Leeds, that are today known as the Victoria Quarter. Year 1900 ( MCM) was an exceptional Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar Briggate, located in the centre of the city, is one of two principal shopping streets in Leeds, England (the other is The Headrow, Leeds ( is located on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England The Victoria Quarter is an Upmarket shopping area in Leeds, England. Matcham's Empire Palace Theatre, which was the centre-piece of the design, was demolished in the 1960s, but his surviving exteriors and the impressive County Arcade have been refurbished to a high standard. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Frank Matcham pioneered the use of cantilevered steel in his designs, and took out patents to protect his work. This allowed balconies to be built out into the theatre without the use of pillars supporting each tier, these had characterised the work of the previous generation of theatre architects. Without pillars, there were improved sight lines and, popular with theatre owners, an increased audience capacity. [2]
Preserving the legacy
By the outbreak of the World War I, no significant town was without its theatre, or music-hall, over 150 designed by Matcham. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All By 1982, however, it was estimated that 85% of the theatres that had lit up British towns and cities in 1914 had been lost - 35 of them, including 20 of Matcham's, in London alone. John Betjeman[3] and Simon Jenkins had spoken up for such architects of Victorian and Edwardian parish churches as the Gilbert Scotts, JL Pearson and GE Street, but few had heard of theatre architects such as Matcham, Bertie Crewe, C.J. Phipps, W.G.R. Sprague and Walter Emden. Sir John Betjeman, CBE ( 28 August 1906 &ndash 19 May 1984 was an English poet writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who Sir Simon Jenkins (born 10 June 1943) is a British Newspaper Columnist currently associated with The Guardian The term Victorian architecture can refer to one of a number of Architectural styles predominantly employed during the Victorian era. Class and society Socially the Edwardian era was a period during which the British Class system was very rigid Gilbert Scott may refer to several of a family of British architects George Gilbert Scott (1811 - 1878 who was principally known for his architectural designs John Loughborough Pearson ( Brussels, 5 July 1817 - 11 December 1897) was a 19th-century Architect renowned for his work George Edmund Street ( 20 June 1824 &ndash 18 December 1881) was an English Architect, born at Woodford in Essex Bertie Crewe (died 10 January, 1937 in London) was one of the leading English theatre designers in the boom of 1885 to 1915 Biography Charles John Phipps FSA known as CJ Phipps (1835 &ndash May 25, 1897) was an English Architect best known for his Theatres WGR Sprague (1863&ndash1933 was a theatre designer in the grand age Walter Lawrence Emden (1847 &ndash 1913 was one of the leading English theatre and Music hall Architects in the building boom of 1885 to 1915
That gross neglect came to an end with one too many proposed ruthless destructions: the Granville Theatre in Walham Green, in 1971, where the Greater London Council stepped in to stop a developer. Walham Green is an area located on the border of Fulham and Chelsea, West London, United Kingdom. The Greater London Council (GLC was the top-tier Local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986 This incident brought about the formation of the Frank Matcham Society, and the beginning of the preservation of this theatrical heritage. [4]
On 22 November 2007, Matcham was commemorated by actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales unveiling a blue plaque at the site of his London home, 10 Haslemere Road, Hornsey. Events 498 - Kofi Aseidu- After the death of Anastasius II, Symmachus is elected Pope in the Lateran Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Timothy West CBE (born 20 October 1934) is an English film stage and television Actor. Prunella Margaret Rumney Illingworth CBE (born 22 June 1932) is an English actress. In the United Kingdom, a blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event Hornsey is a district in London Borough of Haringey in north London in England English Heritage, who award the plaques, noted "His theatres are particularly notable for their exuberant interiors – he was quite prepared to mix architectural styles, from Tudor strapwork to rococo panels, military insignia to classical statuary. English Heritage is a Non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government ( Department for Culture Media and Sport) with a broad remit of They also set new standards in providing good sightlines and high safety standards, with the inclusion of features such as fireproof construction, adequate emergency lighting and ready means of exit. Matcham’s work proved extremely popular with the public, and its opulence and flair continues to enthral audiences today. "[5]
References
- ^ Matcham Society
- ^ Michael Sell "Frank Matcham - Theatre Architect" accessed 11 Dec 2006
- ^ John Betjeman was instrumental in saving Wilton's Music Hall in 1964
- ^ David McKie,"Give Them a Big Hand, The Guardian, London, July 29, 2004 accessed 7 November 2006
- ^ Blue Plaque for Theatre Architect Frank Matcham (English Heritage) accessed 27 May 2008
[edit] External links
Wilton's Music Hall is a grade II* Listed building, a former Music hall and performance space in Grace's Alley off Cable Street in the London Borough English Heritage is a Non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government ( Department for Culture Media and Sport) with a broad remit of Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Frank Matcham (22 November 1854 Newton Abbot, Devon – 17 May 1920 Southend-on-Sea, Essex) was a famous English theatricalDapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic