British Theatres and Music Halls

After decades of neglect, British theatres are now recognised as significant records of the society that produced them and as valuable cultural resources.

This book outlines the history of theatres and music halls from the late 16th century to the modern day, noting changing fashions in entertainment and evolving official attitudes to safety that have, at various times, influenced the architectural characters of the buildings.

Particular attention is given to the thirty-five years before the First World War, when music hall and variety entertainment developed rapidly and gave rise to a massive surge in theatre
building.