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Royal Surrey Theatre

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Venue Type & Location

Theatre

Overview

  • Address: 124 Blackfriars Road, Lambeth. For a current map, Click Here. For historical maps showing the venue (in addition to the one excerpted at right), Click Here, Here, and Here.

  • Alternate Names: Royal Circus (1782-1816), Surrey Theatre, Surrey Vaudeville Theatre, Surrey Theatre of Varieties

  • Capacity: In a memo to the Lord Chamberlain c.1843, the Surrey was said to hold over 3000 people. After the theatre was rebuilt in 1865, however, its capacity dropped to 2161.

  • Audience Composition: Many discussions of the theatre suggest that its audiences were local, and largely drawn from the area’s nautical community. Davis & Emeljanow, though, provide evidence to the contrary, demonstrating that this local, working class audience was just as likely to include individuals employed as servants, tailors, bootmakers, clerks, etc. as it was to include sailors. Furthermore, Davis & Emeljanow also claim that these ‘Surrey Side’ spectators were frequently mixed with a variety of patrons from North of the Thames. Overall, then, it would appear that the Surrey’s audiences were quite diverse, consisting of locals of a variety of occupations (plus youths and families), and various spectators from wealthier backgrounds.

  • Performance Space Description: Images of the Surrey suggest that it was a broad, rectangular construction of three storeys. Five windows lined each of the top two floors, while the ground level was fronted with a roofed arcade supported by six simple pillars. Separate entrances for the gallery, pit and boxes were marked out at the left, right and centre of the arcade, respectively (see images at right, for example).

    The interior of the theatre was redesigned (and the riding ring and stables which adorned the space in its circus days were removed) c. 1810. In 1878, Edward Walford offered the following description of the space between 1810 and 1865: “The auditorium, which was nearly square in form, was exceedingly spacious. The upper part of the proscenium was supported by two gilt, fluted composite columns on each side, with intervening stage-doors and boxes. The pit would seat about 900 persons. The general ornamentation of the boxes, &c., was white and gold. The gallery, as customary in the minor theatres, was remarkably spacious, and would hold above 1,000 persons. It descended to a level with the side boxes in the centre, but from its principal elevation it was continued along both sides over them. The ceiling sprang from the four extremities of the front and of the side galleries. The centre was painted in imitation of a sky, with genii on the verge and in the angles. A handsome chandelier depended from the centre, besides smaller ones suspended from brackets over the stage-doors, which were continued round the boxes" (reproduced at British History Online).

  • Typical Fare: Many discussions of the Surrey focus on its reputation as a home for nautical melodramas, such as Black Ey’d Susan (which had been a hit at the theatre during the 1820s and 30s). In fact, however, entertainments at the venue seem to have been more varied between 1842 and 1852. In 1844, for instance, an author in Mogg’s New Picture of London wrote that performances at the Surrey were “chiefly melodramatic”, but “include[d] also a variety of amusements” (reproduced in the Dictionary of Victorian London Online). Likewise, Davis & Emeljanow discuss a range of entertainments which took place at the theatre during the 1840s and 50s, from legitimate drama and opera to farce, melodrama and burletta.

    • Performance History

  • The first building erected on the site of the Surrey (in 1782) was a circus conceived to compete with the popular Astley’s Amphitheatre. It cost 15,000 pounds to build, and was greatly damaged by fire in 1799. Though the interior was reconstructed in 1800, the building burnt down completely in 1805.

  • A second entertainment facility was built on the grounds (from designs by Cabanall Jr.) during 1805. It cost 12,000 pounds to complete, and opened during the Spring of 1806. This building too was destroyed by fire in 1865.

  • A third version of the theatre was constructed in 1865, at a cost of 25,000 pounds. This edifice was converted into a music hall in 1904 and served as a cinema in the early 1920s. It was finally torn down in 1934.

    Please see the 'Bibliographic Sources' link at right for a complete listing of materials (both primary and secondary) from which the above information was compiled.

    The Howard text (cited above) also contains an extensive listing of relevant contemporary and historical sources pertaining to this venue.

    Additional resources (which have not yet been accessed, include:

  • Baker, Henry Barton. History of the London Stage and its Famous Players (1576-1903). London: Routledge, 1904.

    Beth Marquis

    • Troupes at Royal Surrey Theatre

    Film Affiliated people Film Type # of event(s)
    Aldridge, Ira Aldridge, Ira Dramatic Definite Aldridge, Ira
    Anderson, James Anderson, James Dramatic Definite Anderson, James
    Betty, Henry Betty, Henry Dramatic Definite Betty, Henry
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Williamson, Mrs. Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Vaughan junior, Miss Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Moreton, Miss Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Davis, Miss Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Daly, Ellen Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Vaughan, Miss Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Russell, Miss Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Terry, Miss E. Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Maynard, Mrs. Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Webb, H. Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47) Lewis, Dramatic Definite Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Byrne Dramatic Definite Byrne
    Creswick Dramatic Definite Creswick
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49) Ludlow, M.C. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49) Valintine, J.W. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49) Briggs, T.F. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49) Pell, Gilbert W. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49) Juba, Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49) Irwin, J.H. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49) Everton, J.H. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1850) De Brenner, Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1850)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1850) Ludlow, M.C. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1850)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1850) Pell, Gilbert W. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1850)
    Ethiopian Serenaders and Ohio Melodists Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders and Ohio Melodists
    Lantum Serenaders Stainer, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Lantum Serenaders Laurain, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Lantum Serenaders Dryce, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Lantum Serenaders Marley, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Lantum Serenaders Adwin, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Macready Macready, Dramatic Definite Macready
    Matthews, Tom Circus Definite Matthews, Tom
    Mead, T. Mead, T. Dramatic Definite Mead, T.
    Sharp, J.W. Sharp, J.W. Vocal Entertainment Definite Sharp, J.W.
    Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (London-Surrey, 52) Dramatic Definite Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (London-Surrey, 52)
    Unknown Minstrel Troupe (Surrey, 48) Minstrel Definite Unknown Minstrel Troupe (Surrey, 48)
    Virginian Harmonists (1848) Minstrel Definite Virginian Harmonists (1848)

    Events at Royal Surrey Theatre

    Event Date Venue Location Film
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Lantum Serenaders
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (London-Surrey, 52)
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Betty, Henry
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Unknown Minstrel Troupe (Surrey, 48)
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Virginian Harmonists (1848)
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Aldridge, Ira
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1850)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1850)
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Mead, T.
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Mead, T.
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Minstrel Show - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1850)
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1848-49)
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Mead, T.
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Macready
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Matthews, Tom
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Mead, T.
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Anderson, James
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Buffalo Gals Troupe (Surrey, 47)
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Byrne
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Sharp, J.W.
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Creswick
    Dramatic - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders and Ohio Melodists

    Bibliographic Sources

    View a list of abbreviations.

    • (Under Entertainment - Theatre & Shows - Theatres & Venues - Surrey Theatre)
    • Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2001
    • London: The Library Association, 1970
    • (See 29. 'Blackfriars Road: The Surrey Theatre and Surrey Chapel')
    • (Under London's Lost Theatres and Music Halls - Surrey Theatre)
    • London: Adam and Charles Black, 1863


      “THE SURREY THEATRE, Blackfriars’ Road, was erected in 1806 oil the site of an older house, which dated from 1782, and was originally used for equestrian performances” (215).
    • London: H.G. Clarke & Co., 1851
      p128.
    • London: John Murray, 1851
      p179.
    • London: Jones & Co., 1828
      pp134-5.
    • Leipsic: Karl Baedeker, 1885
      p40.
    • London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, 1868
      p788.
    • London: H.G. Clarke & Co., 1851
      pp218-219.
    • London: Griffin, Bohn & Co, 1861