Recall the glamour of the roaring thirties as we stand before the Apollo Victoria Theatre. This West End gem boasts a history as rich and captivating as the performances it hosts. Originally known as the New Victoria Cinema, it opened its doors in October 1930. The first showing was the film Old English. A stage show named Hoop-La also played.
Architects E. Wamsley Lewis and W.E. Trent designed the theatre for Provincial Cinematograph Theatres. This was part of the Gaumont British chain. The Apollo Victoria Theatre features two almost identical facades. You can see them on Wilton Road and Vauxhall Bridge Road.
The New Victoria was more than just a cinema. It hosted variety acts and big band concerts. This versatility saved it from demolition in the 1950s. Many cinemas closed then due to the rise of television.
Step inside. Imagine the original Art Deco interior. It had a nautical theme. Concealed lighting created a magical ambiance. Scallop shells and sculptured fountains adorned the ceiling.
During World War II, the theatre closed briefly in September 1940. It reopened in May 1941 and continued entertaining audiences. In the mid-1970s, the cinema closed again. It re-emerged in 1981 as the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Shirley Bassey marked its reopening with a memorable concert.
The Apollo Victoria Theatre became a prominent venue for musicals. The Sound of Music was one of the first. Then came Starlight Express in 1984. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock ‘n’ roll skating musical transformed the interior. Racetracks ran through the audience for 18 years.
After Starlight Express closed in 2002, the interior was restored. Architects Jaques Muir and Partners led the renovation. They replaced 3500 incandescent lamps with 88000 low-power LEDs. This made it the first auditorium lit entirely by LEDs.
Bombay Dreams followed Starlight Express in 2002. Later shows included Saturday Night Fever and Movin’ Out. In 2006, Wicked premiered. It has been enchanting audiences ever since.
Wicked celebrated its tenth anniversary in the West End in 2016. Former cast members reunited for a special curtain call. In April 2024, Wicked became the 10th longest-running West End show.
The Apollo Victoria Theatre stands as a testament to adaptability. It blends architectural beauty with entertainment. From cinema to musicals, it has captivated generations. Its story continues to unfold with each performance of Wicked. The Apollo Victoria Theatre is an icon of London’s West End.