3-038-998 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Interior of the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane-Square, 1871. 'The opening of a new London theatre, on the evening of Wednesday week, is also noticed in our current record of theatrical affairs. This building has been erected on the site of an obscure and unsuccessful establishment in the same line, which was set up last Easter, and which never had much chance. The situation is favourable, being nearly opposite to the station of the Metropolitan District Railway in Sloane-square, Chelsea, within a few minutes' journey of all parts of the town neighbouring the underground line. The Royal Court, as shown in our view of the interior, is a bright, brilliant little theatre, capable of seating comfortably 1100 persons. It is gorgeous in gilding, profuse in ornamentation, and its hangings and box-curtains are of a pinkish-mauve satin, which has a nove and very satisfactory effect. Two huge griffins, or dragons, flank the proscenium boxes on each side of the house. The frescoes over the proscenium, by Mr. Gurden Dalziel, representing incidents in his life of St. George of England, are very skilfully painted. The theatre has been constructed from the plans of Mr. Walter Emden, who has designed some other theatres recently erected in London'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.