Sadler's Wells Theatre (London, England)

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The Sadler's Wells site has been occupied by six different theatres since 1683. The first 'musick' house was built by a Mr Sadler, who also opened a fashionable spa there after rediscovering monastic springs believed to have medicinal properties. The spa declined in popularity but the theatre has survived through the centuries in many forms, including as an aquatic theatre staging patriotic plays in the early 1800s, a music hall showcasing acts such as Marie Lloyd and Harry Champion in the late 1800s and a drama, opera and ballet theatre in the 1930s and 1940s. The current theatre, which opened in 1998, is dedicated to international dance. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500-seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive rehearsal rooms and technical facilities also housed within the site. Sadler's Wells is renowned as one of the world's leading dance venues. As well as a stage for visiting companies, the theatre is also a producing house, with a number of associated artists and companies that produce original works for the theatre. Sadler's Wells is also responsible for the management of the Peacock Theatre in the West End, during times not used by the London School of Economics.
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Sadler's Wells Theatre (London, England). Articles of agreement made between Samuel Phelps, Sadler's Wells Theatre, and William and Margaret Eburne [manuscript], 1859 March 15. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Phelps, Samuel, 1804-1878. Papers, 1835-1886 (inclusive), 1843-1871 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Drury Lane Theatre. A collection of theatrical bills / selected and composed by James Williamson Lassells, dancing master, late of the Theatres Royal, Drury-lane, York, Hull, and Crow-Street, Dublin, 1790, Hull. ca. 1761-1801, chiefly 1789-1790. Houghton Library
creatorOf Scarlatti, Domenico, 1685-1757. La reja : music by Domenico Scarlatti ; orchestrated by Reginald Smith Brindle : manuscript, 1959. Harvard University, Harvard Theater Collection, Harvard College Library
referencedIn Carrick, Edward, 1905-. Edward Craig Theatre Collection : ephemeral documents, 1613-ca. 1984 (bulk 1800-1900) Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Skinner, Cornelia Otis, 1901-1979. Promptbooks for productions of Shakespeare's Macbeth, 1757-ca.1920. Houghton Library
referencedIn Scrapbooks concerning Sadler's Wells Theatre (London, England) Houghton Library
referencedIn Williams, W. C. Promptbook for a production of Shakespeare's The Second Part of King Henry the Fourth, 1853. Houghton Library
referencedIn W. S. (William Schwenck) Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan additional printed ephemera, 1815-2008. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Hughes, Richard, d. 1814,. Autograph letters signed to Richard Hughes, Sadler's Wells, from various correspondents [manuscript], 18th-19th century. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Webster, John, 1580?-1625?. Promptbook for a production of The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster [manuscript], 1850. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Rene Highway Collection. Because We Must / by Michael Clark & Company, 1987 - House Program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn James Winston papers, 1733-1871 Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Collins, W. Promptbooks for productions of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, ca 1850-1938. Houghton Library
referencedIn Phelps, Samuel, 1804-1878,. Autograph letter from Samuel Phelps, Islington, to Mr. Dunkin [manuscript], 19th century March 4 Sunday. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Sadler's Wells Theatre (London, England). Playbills, 1844-1865. University of Florida
referencedIn Lonsdale, Mark. Extracts explanatory of the dresses habits and costume of all ages and countries, 1798. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Souvenir programs for theaters, theatrical companies, and clubs, 1892-1978. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Rene Highway Collection. London Contemporary Dance Theatre / by Sadle's Wells Theatre, 1984 - House Program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn King, Thomas, 1730-1805,. Autograph letter signed from Thomas King, Sadlers Wells, to David Garrick, Esqr. [manuscript], [ca. 1775] Monday. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Sir Archive Michael Redgrave V & A Department of Theatre and Performance
creatorOf Sadler's Wells Theatre Archive, c1712-2012 Islington Local History Centre
referencedIn Forbes-Robertson, Johnston, Sir, 1853-1937,. Autograph letters signed from J. Forbes-Robertson, London, to various unidentified correspondents and a playbill [manuscript], 1897-1927. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Contemporary Dance Trust Archive, 1957-1998 V & A Department of Theatre and Performance
referencedIn Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Preparation copies prepared by Samuel Phelps for Richard III [manuscript], ca. 1845. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Sadler's Wells Theatre (London, England). Tickets for Sadler's Wells Theatre [manuscript], 1805 and 1830. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Taylor, James H. (James Hughes), 1825-1897. Promptbooks for productions of Shakespeare's The Tempest, 1843-ca.1900's Houghton Library
referencedIn Theatre Arts Monthly, collection of photographs, ca. 1900-1964. Houghton Library
referencedIn Wood, William B., 1779-1861. Promptbooks for productions of Shakespeare's King Lear, 1756-1927. Houghton Library
creatorOf Daly, John, 1822?-1879. Young husbands [microform] : comedy 2 acts / [by John Daly]. Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University Libraries
referencedIn Dibdin, Charles, 1745-1814. Papers, 1776-1831. Houghton Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Arundell, Dennis person
associatedWith Carrick, Edward, 1905- person
correspondedWith Contemporary Dance Trust corporateBody
associatedWith Daly, John, 1822?-1879. person
associatedWith Dibdin, Charles, 1745-1814. person
associatedWith Eburne, Margaret, 1829 or 30-1903. person
associatedWith Eburne, W. H. person
associatedWith Forbes-Robertson, Johnston, Sir, 1853-1937, person
associatedWith Hughes, Richard, d. 1814, person
associatedWith King, Thomas, 1730-1805, person
associatedWith Lonsdale, Mark. person
associatedWith Phelps, Samuel, 1804-1878, person
associatedWith Redgrave, Michael person
associatedWith Remington, Stephen. ( 1976-87) person
associatedWith Rene Highway Collection. corporateBody
associatedWith Rene Highway Collection. corporateBody
associatedWith Scarlatti, Domenico, 1685-1757. person
associatedWith Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. person
associatedWith Webster, John, 1580?-1625? person
associatedWith Winston, James, 1773-1843 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Clerkenwell ENG GB
Islington ENG GB
Subject
Theater
Theatre
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Establishment 1683

Britons

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