Some history on Lambeth in London

London | Lambeth

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© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

This photograph taken around the time of the First World War. It was during the next global conflict that the Kennington Theatre was damaged by aerial bombing. In November 1949 Southwark Council agreed to make a compulsory purchase of the site in order for a tower block to be constructed.¹ In October 1951 Southwark Council approved plans for an 11-storey block of flats to be erected on the site.² The building was constructed with amazing rapidity in 1898. The plans of the theatre architect, W. G. R. Sprague, were only revealed in March of that year.³ Three months later, in the July, the commemoration stone was laid by Sir Henry Irving. Incredibly, the theatre was opened just before Christmas of the same year. The building, a venture of Robert Arthur, was constructed in the Italian Renaissance style, of white Portland Stone, the grand entrance featuring a marble staircase 29 feet wide. The structure was originally called the Princess of Wales Theatre as her husband, in right of his Duchy of Cornwall, was Lord of the Manor of Kennington.⁴ When this photograph was captured the Carl Rosa Opera Company were making their annual visit to the theatre.

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"An alarming accident happened last evening at the new Kennington Theatre which is in course of erection at Kennington Park Road. During the day two large joists, measuring 12ft. by 6ft., had been placed in position in the stage work, but had not been fixed. Shortly before six o'clock some men were engaged in carrying timber over the joists, when one of the beams snapped in the middle, causing them to fall a considerable distance to the floor below. A carpenter named M'Phee had his skull fractured, the other men escaping with slight injuries. M'Phee was conveyed to St. Thomas's Hospital, where he was detained, little hope being entertained of his recovery."
"Accident At The Kennington Theatre"
St. James's Gazette : October 25th 1898 Page 15

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References
1. "Theatre Site Scheme" : South London Observer; November 25th, 1949. p.3.
2. "On Theatre Site" : South London Observer; October 25th, 1951. p.5.
3. "The Kennington Theatre" : South London Press; March 5th, 1898. p.3.
4. "The Kennington Theatre" : The Morning Post; July 26th, 1898. p.6.

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