Why do we hold some theatre names in more affection than others?
WHAT’S in a name? A great deal, judging by an extraordinary row that’s broken out in north London over the rechristening of the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn as the Kiln.
People have been picketing outside, demanding the restoration of the old name, but the artistic director, Indhu Rubasingham, backed by local actors such as Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton, fiercely denies that she’s disowning the refurbished theatre’s distinguished past. What is amazing, however, is the passion her decision has provoked.
Does it really matter what a theatre is called? Clearly it does, although it’s fair to point out that the majority of West End theatres have, at some point in their history, been renamed
The Adelphi Theatre in the Strand started life in 1806 as the Sans Pareil: a somewhat recondite name for a theatre that kicked off with a popular programme of songs, recitations and fireworks. The Duke of York’s was originally known as the Trafalgar Square Theatre and —I hope you’re still with me— the current Trafalgar Studios was, for many decades, the Whitehall Theatre and associated with trouser-dropping farce.
There have been more rechristenings in the West End than you’ll find in the last act of The Importance of Being Earnest. A classic case is the Prince Edward in Old Compton Street, which has reverted to its original name, at Cameron Mackintosh’s instigation, after long being known as the London Casino.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tales as old as time
By appointing writers-in-residence to landscape locations, the National Trust is hoping to spark in us a new engagement with our ancient surroundings, finds Richard Smyth
Do the active farmer test
Farming is a profession, not a lifestyle choice’ and, therefore, the Budget is unfair
Night Thoughts by Howard Hodgkin
Charlotte Mullins comments on Moght Thoughts
SOS: save our wild salmon
Jane Wheatley examines the dire situation facing the king of fish
Into the deep
Beneath the crystal-clear, alien world of water lie the great piscean survivors of the Ice Age. The Lake District is a fish-spotter's paradise, reports John Lewis-Stempel
It's alive!
Living, burping and bubbling fermented masses of flour, yeast and water that spawn countless loaves—Emma Hughes charts the rise and rise) of sourdough starters
There's orange gold in them thar fields
A kitchen staple that is easily taken for granted, the carrot is actually an incredibly tricky customer to cultivate that could reduce a grown man to tears, says Sarah Todd
True blues
I HAVE been planting English bluebells. They grow in their millions in the beechwoods that surround us—but not in our own garden. They are, however, a protected species. The law is clear and uncompromising: ‘It is illegal to dig up bluebells or their bulbs from the wild, or to trade or sell wild bluebell bulbs and seeds.’ I have, therefore, had to buy them from a respectable bulb-merchant.
Oh so hip
Stay the hand that itches to deadhead spent roses and you can enjoy their glittering fruits instead, writes John Hoyland
A best kept secret
Oft-forgotten Rutland, England's smallest county, is a 'Notswold' haven deserving of more attention, finds Nicola Venning
