Monday, 4 February 2019

'A COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY' @ THE CRITERION THEATRE & THE THEATRE ROYAL.

Off she went to Piccadilly Circus, the weather was fine so she took a number 19 bus and after getting off the bus and crossing over and behind Eros, she slipped down into one of the most beautiful of London's theatres.

The play is, as the title suggests, a comedy about a gang of idiots whose aim is to steal an enormous diamond from the bank vault and as much slapping is done, so you could call it slapstick comedy! There was not a seat to be had, it was a full house.

The theatre is small, there are only 588 seats on the three levels and the wall tiles are exquisite! It was built in 1874 on the site of an 17th century coaching inn called The White Bear. 

The area was developed by an entrepreneur called Thomas Verity who developed the large site, which was originally called Regent's Circus.

During WW2, it went 'dark' as it was used by the BBC as a subterranean radio station and it saved in 1970 from destruction by a very determined bunch of actors! One of London's secret gems! 

Another real gem is the oldest theatre in London, The Theatre Royal, the original of which opened in 1663, was built by a former royal courtier and playwright called Thomas Killigrew.  

He received a royal patent from King Charles 2nd, the theatre continues to hold this to this very day!

It was here that King Charles met his future mistress, the actress Nell Gwynne. 

And what a pity that Kings couldn't marry 'commoners' in those days because his wife, Queen Catherine of Braganza sadly miscarried three time and bore no heir to the throne.

Whereas his beloved Nell bore him two sons.

Charles Beauclerk (1670-1726) and James Beauclerk (1671-1680). Charles Beauclerk was given the title of Duke of St.Albans, a title which is held to this day by the 14th Duke.

And the Protestant Stuart dynasty would have survived! 

That's your history lesson for today folks.. she has work to do and I have a box to beak.. pippip.

GeeGee Parrot.
February 4th, 2019.

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