Once there was a grand theatre in every London borough. From east to west people across the capital would flock to playhouses for a night of variety or drama.
But as tastes changes sadly many of these lovely old buildings, some stretching back to the turn of the 20th century, became redundant and faced demolition. Property developers out to make a bob or two probably had their eye on building towering blocks of flats in their place.
Yet some how many of these fine structures survived the bulldozer and are pulling in full houses night after night. Brixton Academy, where I'm writing this from tonight, is a great case in point. As I await Jack White, of White Stripes fame, take to the stage all I can see is people. We are in the circle where every seat is taken. And the stalls are also buzzing as music fans dance to the sounds of support band First Aid Kit.
The music may be good but I can't help getting about the lovely building that we are in. Even though plays have been replaced by gigs the decor has probably changed little from when it was a theatre. We've got the wonderful ornate carvings around the balconies and an almost like temple structure above the stage.
There is also a wonderful display of indoor plants set outside what looks like someone's appartment. What a view that person would have.
And Brixton Academy is just one of a line in theatres in London that has been turned into gig venues - places like the HMV Forum in Kentish Town (where I saw the excellent Shins) and the Shepherds Bush Empire (where I saw Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) are all preserving a flavour of the 30s.And other theatres are now night clubs. I love Koko in Camden, a venue where if you book a VIP spot you can sit in a box.
Should we worried about theatre in London? Not at all, the West End is thriving and I've seen some great plays at smaller venues recently.It may be curtains for these great historic buildings as theatres, but thanks to the likes of Jack White their legacy lives on.
And talking of Jack, he's taking to the stage right now.....
But as tastes changes sadly many of these lovely old buildings, some stretching back to the turn of the 20th century, became redundant and faced demolition. Property developers out to make a bob or two probably had their eye on building towering blocks of flats in their place.
Yet some how many of these fine structures survived the bulldozer and are pulling in full houses night after night. Brixton Academy, where I'm writing this from tonight, is a great case in point. As I await Jack White, of White Stripes fame, take to the stage all I can see is people. We are in the circle where every seat is taken. And the stalls are also buzzing as music fans dance to the sounds of support band First Aid Kit.
The music may be good but I can't help getting about the lovely building that we are in. Even though plays have been replaced by gigs the decor has probably changed little from when it was a theatre. We've got the wonderful ornate carvings around the balconies and an almost like temple structure above the stage.
There is also a wonderful display of indoor plants set outside what looks like someone's appartment. What a view that person would have.
And Brixton Academy is just one of a line in theatres in London that has been turned into gig venues - places like the HMV Forum in Kentish Town (where I saw the excellent Shins) and the Shepherds Bush Empire (where I saw Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) are all preserving a flavour of the 30s.And other theatres are now night clubs. I love Koko in Camden, a venue where if you book a VIP spot you can sit in a box.
Should we worried about theatre in London? Not at all, the West End is thriving and I've seen some great plays at smaller venues recently.It may be curtains for these great historic buildings as theatres, but thanks to the likes of Jack White their legacy lives on.
And talking of Jack, he's taking to the stage right now.....
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