Her Majesty’s Theatre in London to be renamed His Majesty’s Theatre for the Kings coronation
Her Majesty’s Theatre, famously known for hosting The Phantom of the Opera, has made an exciting announcement regarding its rebranding plans. Effective from May 6, 2023, the theatre will be renamed His Majesty’s Theatre in honor of King Charles III’s coronation. This historical venue has held this title from 1901 to 1952 when Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne. Previously, other buildings situated on the same site have also altered their names to commemorate the reigning British monarch. Currently, the theatre is presenting an updated version of The Phantom of the Opera, which has been renovated during the Covid pandemic. The LW Theatres, the theatre’s owners, released a statement about this change, highlighting the historical significance of this decision that traces back to the 1700s when the first theatre was built on this site. The Queen’s Theatre, named after Queen Anne, was the first theatre built here in 1705. Since then, the theatre has undergone several renovations, with each rebuilding accompanied by a name change based on the current monarch.
Her Majesty’s Theatre is a historic West End theatre located in London’s Haymarket. It was established in 1705 by playwright and architect Sir John Vanbrugh as the Queen’s Theatre, named in honor of Queen Anne. The theatre has since undergone several name changes, reconstructions, and refurbishments throughout its existence.
In 1714, the theatre was renamed the King’s Theatre after the accession of King George I. The King’s Theatre became the primary venue for opera and ballet during the 18th and early 19th centuries, hosting the first London performances of many significant works, including Handel’s operas Rinaldo and Giulio Cesare.
In 1789, the theatre suffered a devastating fire and was subsequently rebuilt by architect Michael Novosielski. Another fire destroyed the building in 1867, leading to the construction of the current building, which opened in 1869. The theatre was then renamed Her Majesty’s Theatre in honor of Queen Victoria.
The current building, designed by architect Charles Lee, has a capacity of about 1,216 seats. It features a neo-classical façade and a French Renaissance-style auditorium. The theatre has been home to numerous important productions, including several Gilbert and Sullivan operas in the late 19th century.
In 1901, the theatre was renamed His Majesty’s Theatre, following the accession of King Edward VII. It reclaimed its current name, Her Majesty’s Theatre, in 1952 after the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.
The theatre has hosted various notable productions in recent years, but it is perhaps best known for its long-running association with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. The musical, which premiered at Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1986, has become one of the longest-running shows in the West End and continues to captivate audiences to this day.
