The Greenwich Theatre was built in 1855 by Sefton Parry and was used by the great festival of the Greenwich Fair. The original use was mostly by the Richardson traveling theatre that performed frequently to the masses. The theatre shows an interest in growing the population for drama and theatrical performances. The Richardson traveling theatre would visit the area annually and put on performances of all sorts. The theatre would be rebuilt in 1871 and be named the “Crowder’s Music Hall” and have more musically based performances. The actual theatre would be rebuilt multiple times and go under several shifts in its name and type of art performed. It’s interesting to see how as time goes by and the art changes there is still serious interest by the population as time went on. While the theatre would never reach the heights of the Golden Globe and other theatres in London, there was still a population of people who sought to preserve the theatre whenever it was threatened to be torn down. There have been several reconstructions and rebuilding of the theatre, but it has yet to be ever torn down. The original capacity of the theatre was only 423 seats, but it was said that it would be full when the Richardson traveling theatre came to Greenwich. Even during WWII, the theatre was several damaged by an incendiary bomb that torched a good bit of the inside. However, it was reconstructed. To this day, live performances are still being put on. I don’t think that many people would go out of their way to visit the theatre or even stop in passing to see what it was about, but it still holds a sentimental value to the people of the area. The local history of the theatre is what has saved it and rebuilt it every time. 

Sources:

“Our History.” Greenwich Theatre, 13 Mar. 2023, https://greenwichtheatre.org.uk/about/.

“Theatres and Halls in Greenwich, London.” Theatres and Halls in Greenwich, London, http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Greenwich.htm.