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Her Majesty’s Theatre on London’s West End will be renamed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. As it is tradition to name the theatre after the current reigning monarch, the name change of the iconic venue will be adjusted to reflect King Charles III, who takes over from his late mother.
A theatre has stood on the site of Her Majesty’s Theatre since 1705. But this incarnation of Her Majesty’s Theatre opened in 1897, and was the project of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. Today’s building was designed by C J Phipps and commissioned by the actor Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who had a flat built into the design for the theatre – a flat for himself that in 1904 he would repurpose as a drama school, now known as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art – RADA. Tree’s management of Her Majesty’s Theatre saw the venue become known as a playhouse rather than an operatic house, with productions of Shakespeare’s works as well as adaptations of novels.
The Her Majesty’s Theatre auditorium, designed in the style of Louis XIV, is appropriately scaled to house musicals as well as straight plays. Throughout the 20th century, a host of musicals have played at Her Majesty’s Theatre, including Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, Bye Bye Birdie, West Side Story, On The Twentieth Century, Fiddler on the Roof and Bugsy Malone.
The theatre is currently hosting a run of Webber’s acclaimed The Phantom of The Opera, in a production that has been spruced up and restaged and features Lucy St. Louis and Killian Donnelly. Phantom opened in October 1986 and is the theatre’s longest running production. Her Majesty’s Theatre is currently owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatres Group. Lloyd Webber confirmed that the name will change to His Majesty’s Theatre. The tradition has been in place for many years, with previous buildings at the location following suit.
While it is suspected that the name change may occur after an appropriate pause in the following weeks, most likely after Queen Elizabeth II funeral and King Charles III coronation has taken place, statements of condolence have been published from Lloyd Webber and the theatre community alike. Andrew Lloyd Webber released the following statement:
“For the whole of my life, the Queen has been the constant anchor of not just Britain and her beloved Commonwealth, but an inspiration to the world for her lifetime of service.
Her legacy will be remembered as a selfless beacon for love, understanding and the celebration of fellow human beings all over the world, no matter their race or creed.
Madeleine and I are deeply saddened by this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen’s family.”
The statement on behalf of Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II read:
“We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The theatre industry is thankful for all the support and patronage Her Majesty has shown throughout her lifetime. We would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the Royal Family at this time of national mourning.”
– Stephanie Sirr MBE & Jon Gilchrist Joint Presidents, UK Theatre and Eleanor Lloyd, President, Society of London Theatre
Additionally, a period of mourning will be marked by the theatre community in the UK up until the Queen’s funeral. While remaining open, theatres across the country will be dimming their lights at 7pm for 2 minutes each evening as a mark of respect, which is theatre’s traditional way to honour those that have passed.
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Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
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