The Cripplegate Ward Club

		Home About The Committee Honorary Members Past Masters Presidents Obituaries In Memoriam Merchandise Membership Events Future Events David's Year 2017-18 Christine's Year 2016-17 Glynn's Year 2015-16 Richard's Year 22014-15 Judy's Year 2013-14 Fred's Year 2012-13 Contact The Cripplegate Ward St Giles' Church The Barbican Guildhal School of Music & Drama Barber-Surgeons' Hall The Misicians' Company City of London School for Girls Common Council Crescent House Publication

A Backstage Tour of The London Coliseum
Home of English National Opera
with Private Lunch at Côte.

Friday 8th July 2016

On a bright and sunny Friday, the maximum allowable 30 members and guests made their way to The London Coliseum in St Martin's Lane, for a guided tour of this iconic piece of Theatre history. Starting life as a Variety Theatre with Tea Rooms, a revolving stage and over 2,000 seats - its conversion to a home of Opera and Ballet has been challenging.

Our guide was the most enthusiastic and engaging of speakers and walked us through all sorts of issues, backgrounds, people, events and annecdotes relating to the building and the uses to which it has been put since its construction in 1904.

After this most informative and fascinating visit we walked just along St Martin's Lane to the Côte Bistro for a sparkling wine reception followed by an excellent 3 course lunch.

Here are a few photos, click on an image to expand and scroll through.

Supporting Information:

The London Coliseum theatre in St. Martin's Lane (near Trafalgar Square) is home to English National Opera.

We will gather in the foyer at 10.45am for our private, friendly and informal guided tour. This will include the old Gentleman's Baronial Smoking Hall, Stoll's Balcony, some private rooms, the Upper Glass Terraces, the fabulous auditorium as well as the warren of staircases backstage. Depending on performance preparation activities, we will also see beneath the vast revolving stage & orchestra pit.

Lasting about an hour, the tour includes a lot of walking and quite a few stairs.

After the tour we will walk five minutes around the corner t o Côte Brasserie where in our private dining room (more stairs unfortunately, so this event is not at all suitable for wheelchairs or those particularly unsteady on stairs) we will enjoy a well-deserved glass of bubbly, followed by a three course lunch with wine & coffee.

The event is expected to finish at about 2.30pm

Above - a 1904 postcard depicting the lavish 'Terrace Tea Room' located in the upper part of the building, reached by a lift - the first time in Europe that one had been used for transporting customers in a Theatre.