“ADELPHI THEATRE ROYAL is opposite Adam Street in the Strand. It is a most comfortable theatre, having been lately rebuilt on an enlarged scale, by the lessee Mr. Benjamin Webster, who has long been known as a successful manager. The first house on this site was called the Sanspareil. It was built about sixty years ago by a Mr. Scott, a colour maker. The piece called ‘Tom and Jerry’ was brought out at this house some forty years since, and the combined names have hardly yet died out of recollection. Terry, Sir Walter Scott's friend, became joint lessee and manager with Yates. Afterwards Charles Matthews the elder took the house and brought out his popular ‘At Homes.’ Since Mr. Webster has had the management, a number of comic actors of note have assisted him in giving a high character to the house. There are seats for 1400 persons. The size of the present theatre (of which Mr. T.H. Wyatt was the architect) is about 70 feet in breadth and 107 feet in depth” (211-212).

“ADELPHI THEATRE, Strand. Built by the late Mr. Scott, and formerly called the Sanspareil. A new front was added in 1841, which partakes somewhat too much of the style of the gin palace. Under the management of Madame Celeste it is a highly attractive place of amusement; the rich humour of Mr. Paul Bedford and Mr. Wright being highly relished by crowded houses nightly” (126).

Cruchley’s Guide in 1841 described this theatre as “a favourite resort of the laughter-loving gentry … [and] one of the most fashionably attended of the minor theatres” (186)

pp2-3.

The information provided within this source is similar to that given within London in all its Glory, also published by H.G. Clarke, & Co.


In addition, this source also contains the following:

“ADELPHI THEATRE, Strand. Built by the late Mr. Scott, whose daughter laid the first stone in 1802, and by him called the Sanspareil; it was first opened for the public, November 17th, 1806. It was afterwards purchased by Mr. Rodwell, when that gentleman named it the Adelphi, a name it still bears. During the management of Mr. Rodwell, was produced the burletta of ‘Tom and Jerry,’ with such fortunate success as to enjoy a run of upwards of three hundred nights, and realizing to the manager a profit of £25,000. Here it was, that between 1828 and 1831, Charles Mathews gave his inimitable ‘At Homes;’ and here, John Reeve, for many seasons, Atlas-like, sustained, by his racy humour, the prosperity of this theatre. […] The chief productions are melo-dramas, burlettas, extravaganzas, and very extravagant farces: the former being very powerfully supported by Messrs. O. Smith, Henry Hughes, Miss Woolgar, and Madame Celeste: broad farce is also very popular here, owing to the rich drolleries of Paul Bedford, the buffoonery of Wright, and the characteristic performances of Mr. Selby. One of the most successful pieces of recent date has been Buckstone's ‘Green Bushes,’ played nearly four hundred nights. Indeed, such has been the success of this drama, that an amusing story is told of a sailor, who, when in London, some four years since, visited this theatre and saw the ‘Green Bushes;’ he then made a voyage up the Mediterranean, and on his return, visited the Adelphi, and again saw the ‘Green Bushes;’ he then sailed for China, and on his return, home paid another visit and still it was the ‘Green Bushes: not that the piece had been played the whole of that time, but its success was such, that with slight intervals, it had been played for four years. Doors open at half-past six o’clock; performances commence at seven. Admission: stalls, five shillings; boxes, four shillings; pit, two shillings; gallery, one shilling. Second price at nine o clock: boxes, two shillings; pit, one shilling; gallery, sixpence” (214-215).

“ADELPHI THEATRE, No. 411, Strand, was commenced in 1802 by John Scott, a colourman, and opened Nov. 27, 1806, as the Sans Pareil, with musical entertainments, and next year with dramas. In 1820-1, Scott sold the theatre to Rodwell and Jones, who named it the Adelphi; in 1825 it was sold to Terry and Yates; after Terry's secession, Yates was joined by Charles Mathews the elder, who gave here his later ‘At Homes.’ The compo front of the theatre was designed by Beazley, in 1840. Yates was succeeded by Webster, with Madame Celeste as directress. One of its chief attractions was the comic humour of John Reeve. The theatre was rebuilt in 1858 upon an enlarged plan, by Wyatt (from the Opera Comique in Paris) for Mr, Webster; style, Italian; decoration, French Renaissance; illuminated by a sunlight (780).


Also gives the theatre’s capacity (in 1866) as 1800” (789).