Dates

• Existence: 1852 - 1942
• Usage: 1852 - 1876

Biography

The Canterbury Music Hall opened in 1852 in Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. The Hall proved so popular that two years later it was expanded to accommodate a bigger audience and enlarge its stage. The Canterbury offered a programme of music, ballet and variety performances from the onset that proved very popular.

In 1876, the Canterbury was refurbished and reopened as the Canterbury Theatre. The theatre continuing to enjoy success and was often attended by members of the royal family. In 1890, it was once again redecorated, this time by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham. The theatre continued enjoying success for many years, although it started to decline in the twentieth century following the downward trend of music hall popularity across the country. The Canterbury it was destroyed by enemy action in 1942 and never recovered. The building was finally demolished in 1955.