London Theatres

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Pub Date Sep 07 2017 | Archive Date Oct 24 2017

Description

London is the undisputed theatre capital of the world. From world-famous musicals to West End shows, from cutting-edge plays to Shakespeare in its original staging, from outdoor performance to intimate fringe theatre, the range and quality are unsurpassed. Leading theatre critic Michael Coveney invites you on a tour of forty-five theatres that make the London stage what it is. With stories of the architecture, the people and the productions which have defined each one, alongside sumptuous photographs by Peter Dazeley of the public areas, auditorium and backstage, this illustrated overview of London's Theatres is a book like no other. A must for fans of the stage!

London is the undisputed theatre capital of the world. From world-famous musicals to West End shows, from cutting-edge plays to Shakespeare in its original staging, from outdoor performance to...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780711238619
PRICE $50.00 (USD)
PAGES 272

Average rating from 17 members


Featured Reviews

London is an iconic City, rich in culture and a huge factor in most people's visit is usually getting to see some sort of show whilst there.

Filled with rich, colourful images we can feel like we are there viewing the theatre's ourselves as we glimpse backstage, witness the spacious capacity the theatres accommodate for and read up on the history of all the theatre's and how they came to be.

I really enjoyed this book and for me it was great to read about the history behind the few theatres in London I have personally been to and watched a show at, if you have an interest in history, London, theatre's or photography I'm sure you will enjoy this book too.

Many thanks to the publisher's for allowing me to review this book for them!

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A must-read for any theatre aficionado, whether you simply sing along to cast recordings in the car or religiously attend live performances. There is no doubt that the London theatre scene is one of the greatest in the world (and in history). I've managed to visit half of the theatres featured in this book and it was a treat to read their histories and get a peek backstage. There are plenty of interesting anecdotes about the actors and productions that have graced these stages. The accompanying photographs are a wonderful mix of grand auditorium architecture and charming decorative details. As a bonus, the foreword has been supplied by the great Mark Rylance.

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What a beautiful book to read and enjoy. The pictures of the theaters were amazing and I really enjoyed the history of each theater, all the little hidden gems that each has and is hidden from the audience but known to actors was fun and interesting to read about. The things that make each theater unique and special. Lots of well known theaters and those that are hidden gems. Beautiful book and stories.

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This book appealed to me the moment I saw it listed on Netflix. I am a huge theatre fan and I used to spend a lot of time in London's many theatres before my move to Australia. London Theatres therefore inspired a degree of sentimentality in me, and I loved my trip down memory lane, seeing again the interiors of theatres in which I've enjoyed some amazing performances. As well as stunning photos, each theatre in the book also receives a wonderful, insightful commentary on its history, making London Theatres a must read for any UK theatre fan. I enjoyed the book so much, and it makes such a lovely coffee table read, that I'll be adding it to my wish list to get a print copy in the future. It is certainly a book I could return to and enjoy flicking through again and again.

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Produced with love about London Theatres with sumptuous photos and factual information with a touch of backstage knowledge. This book shows a positive appreciation of London theatre buildings and what goes on in them.

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Excellent,stunning a must for lovers of theatre and history.

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Stunning photos of some of the most luxurious theaters in London. Theaters are an artwork in themselves. This book takes you for a private tour of 45 of London's beautiful theaters. There are pictures of the Public Areas, the Auditorium, and even backstage. There is also a written description for each theater, you get to learn about the history and more. If you love theaters, art or architecture this book will be a wonderful addition to your library. I very much enjoyed this book and all the beauty and grandeur. .

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If you want to spend a week roaming around London with a walking tour guide who is very erudite about London theatres then tis is the book for you. No need for the airplane, this book makes you feel that you have been there and know all the gossip about every theatre of any note in London.

I really enjoyed this book. Sure the gossip was just a bit too obscure but that kind of lent to the charm of the book. I ended up enjoying this very companionable narrative that leads you all around the theatres. A brilliant coffee table book that can be enjoyed again and again.

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I've heard about this book for a while now, and had been looking forward to finding it in a bookshop on my next trip to London so was overjoyed to have the opportunity to read it before release.

As a theatre fan I really enjoyed the book, as it gives so much background into the key London theatres not only in the West End but those around the borders of the capital city. The introduction from Sir Mark Rylance was wonderful, and gave a great overview of theatre mixed in with his own immense experience of the many theatres featured within the pages of the book. It was wonderful to hear about the origins to so many of the theatres as well as the architecture of the buildings that house them.

Michael Coveney gets access to places many of us can only dream of, but what else would you expect from such an esteemed theatre critic. Will definitely look out for this when in London at the weekend & be recommending to friends

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Full of beautiful pictures, this book details all of London's main theatres. It came up with a few I had never heard of and a few I have seen performances in. I'm going to have to make a theatre booket list in my bullet journal!

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fabulous, sTUNNING. great BOOK THAT I REALLY NEED TO OWN IN HARD COPY AS WELL. a MUST FOR ALL THEATRE FANS LIKE MYSELF

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***This book was reviewed for Quarto Publishing via Netgalley

Coveney’s London Theatres takes you on a photographic tour amongst some of the most beautiful of the theatres gracing London streets. There are eight chapters, showcasing some forty-five theatres. Among them are the Covent Garden Opera House, the Lyceum, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and the Savoy. There’s a richness of culture and history tucked in these pages. Information is given for each theatre, along with funny stories about plays and actors that have graced the various stages.

Full of gorgeous pictures, and stuffed with all manner of theatre history and trivia, this book is perfect for theatre or photography lovers.

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This is a beautiful book. The author showcases London Theatres with wonderful photographs, a little history, some gossip, and a lot of fun. I really enjoyed reading about many of the unsung heroes who have saved many of these places from the wrecking ball. This book will delight anyone traveling to London or an armchair traveler and to anyone interested in the stage. This book should be read as a hard copy. Enjoy

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Everyone who loves going to the theatre should read this book. It is a definite read for people who not only love the theatre but are interested in the history behind it. Brilliant. .

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