Criterion Theatre

A Theatre Born Beneath the Streets

The Criterion Theatre stands as a remarkable architectural achievement, almost entirely underground on a site that once housed the White Bear Inn, a posting inn that had operated since at least 1685. When caterers Spiers and Pond acquired the property in 1870, they commissioned architect Thomas Verity to design an ambitious complex featuring a grand restaurant, dining rooms, ballroom, and concert hall. During construction, the concert hall was reimagined as a theatre—a bold decision that would create one of London's most distinctive performance spaces. The building was completed in 1873, with interior decoration by W. B. Simpson & Sons executed in the refined Louis XVI style, a design choice that still defines the auditorium's elegant character today.

Innovation and Technical Pioneering

When the Criterion opened on 21 March 1874 with Henry J. Byron's comedy An American Lady and W. S. Gilbert's musical piece Topsyturveydom, it represented a daring experiment in theatre design. The underground location presented unprecedented challenges: authorities feared toxic fumes from gas lighting would asphyxiate audiences, and the Metropolitan Board of Works required fresh air to be mechanically pumped into the auditorium—a revolutionary safety measure for its time. The theatre's innovative approach to ventilation and its intimate scale made it a marvel of Victorian engineering. By 1883, recognising the inadequacy of the original air-pumping system, the theatre underwent major reconstruction overseen by Verity himself. The 1884 reopening brought transformative improvements: electric lighting replaced dangerous gas, a direct ventilation shaft was installed, new corridors and exits enhanced safety, and modern dressing rooms were built. The transformation was so complete that contemporary reviews hailed it as a "convenient, handsome, and well-ventilated house."

The Golden Age of Comedy and Literary Significance

Under the management of Charles Wyndham, who arrived in 1875, the Criterion became one of London's leading light comedy houses. Wyndham's quarter-century tenure established the theatre's reputation for sophisticated entertainment, and his 1888 performance as David Garrick drew audiences for 152 consecutive performances. The theatre's stage launched the careers of major playwrights: John Gielgud starred in Musical Chairs in 1932, and Terence Rattigan's West End debut, French Without Tears, ran for an extraordinary 1,039 performances beginning in 1936, establishing both the theatre and the playwright as forces in British theatre. During the Second World War, the Criterion's underground location made it ideal for the BBC, which requisitioned it as a studio safe from the Blitz, recording and broadcasting light entertainment programmes from its stage.

Architectural Distinction and Preservation

The Criterion's most striking feature is its complete underground auditorium, with even the Upper Circle accessible only by descending stairs. This subterranean setting creates an intimate, atmospheric experience that transports visitors back to the Victorian era. The theatre retains an almost perfectly preserved Victorian interior, with ornate Louis XVI-inspired decoration, slender iron columns supporting the balconies, and original architectural details that have survived over 150 years. The exterior, facing the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain with its iconic bronze Eros statue, remains in such original condition that the Survey of London identified it as the finest surviving example of Thomas Verity's architectural work. The Theatres Trust recognises the Criterion as one of the most important surviving mid-Victorian theatres in Britain, rivalled only by the Old Vic, Royal Opera House, Theatre Royal Margate, and the Tyne Theatre & Opera House.

Modern Stewardship and Contemporary Life

In the late 1980s, property developer Robert Bourne and theatre impresario Sally Greene purchased the building and established the Criterion Theatre Trust, a registered charity dedicated to its preservation. Between 1989 and 1992, Greene led a comprehensive restoration of the auditorium and front-of-house areas, raising funds to restore this 150-year-old historical landmark while maintaining its authentic character. Today, the theatre operates as a vibrant West End venue with a seating capacity of 588 across three levels—the Stalls (361 seats), Dress Circle (159 seats), and Upper Circle (65 seats)—each offering distinct viewing experiences. The intimate scale ensures that audiences enjoy a personal connection to performances, while the theatre's Grade II* listed status protects its architectural heritage for future generations.