Cruchley’s Guide in 1841 described this theatre as the “most elegant and most flourishing establishment of its class in London” (185).

pp165-7.

“OLYMPIC THEATRE, Wych Street. The former theatre on this site, which was elected by old Philip Astley, in 1805, and which obtained some celebrity in its day, from the fact of George III. having contributed the principal portion of the timber of a French man-of-war, La Ville de Paris, in which William IV. went out as midshipman, which was used in its construction, was entirely destroyed by fire, on the 29th of March, 1849. The present edifice speedily rose upon its ruins, and was opened on the 26th of December in the same year, under the lesseeship of Mr. Watts, but closed abruptly in a few weeks, in consequence of the criminal proceedings instituted against that gentleman for forgery. The frontage is plain and simple: on entering, the beauty and proportions of the interior contrast strikingly with the plainness of the exterior. The audience part of the theatre is of the horse-shoe shape- decidedly the best of all adapted for the comfort and enjoyment of the spectator. It is decorated in the arabesque style, and lighted by an immense glass chandelier, weighing nearly three quarters of a ton.


The present lessee is Mr. W. Farren, who, notwithstanding that he has a very good company, has failed to do any thing towards restoring its former fortunes. The principal performers here are the lessee himself and his two sons, Mr. G.V. Brooke, who made his first appearance in London at the old theatre, Messrs. Compton, Leigh Murray, and W. Shalders, a good scene painter, who has lately made great progress as a low comedian; Miss Helen Faucit, Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. Leigh Murray, and Miss Louisa Howard. Doors open at half-past six o’clock; performances commence at seven. Admission: boxes, three shillings; pit, one shilling and sixpence; gallery, sixpence. Second price at nine o clock: boxes, two shillings; pit, one shilling” (216).

pp77-120.

“OLYMPIC THEATRE ,Wych-street, was originally erected by Philip Astley, upon the site of old Craven House, and was opened with horsemanship, Sept. 18, 1906. It was principally built with the timbers of La Ville de Paris, the ship in which William IV served as midshipman; these materials were given to Astley, with a chandelier, by George III. The theatre was leased in 1813 to Elliston, who removed thence to Drury-lane; and subsequently to Madame Vestris, before she became lessee of Covent-garden; both which changes were ruinous. The Olympic Theatre was destroyed by fire, within an hour, March 29, 1849: it was rebuilt the same year, and opened Dec. 26. Here William Farren was sometime lessee” (786).


Also gives the theatre’s capacity (in 1866) as 1000 (789)