The Lyceum Theatre,
Sheffield.
W.G.R. Sprague was one of the foremost theatre designers of his age. He designed many famous London theatres including Wyndhams (1899), the Albery (1903), the Strand (1905) and the Ambassadors (1913). The Lyceum theatre in Sheffield was opened in 1897, and is the only one of Sprague's theatres to survive outside London.
The Lyceum theatre was designed as a touring house, and many famous artists have performed on its stage, including Sir Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, Anna Pavlova and Sybil Thorndike. Ivor Novello appeared in person at the Lyceum in 1931, and during the 1950's, Morcombe and Wise starred twice in pantomime.
In March 1969 the Lyceum closed as a theatre, following years of under investment and neglect. It reopened in April of that year as a bingo hall.
The Lyceum faced a very real threat of demolition in the early 1970's. In 1972 the building was declared a Grade II listed building, mainly because of Sprague's beautiful decorative interior plasterwork. This put a halt to the immediate plans for demolition, but the future of the building was far from secure.
In July 1981 the theatre was reopened as a rock venue, with Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke performing together as Yazoo. This venture lasted little more than four months, and the theatre was closed once again. In 1985 the building was purchased by the Lyceum Theatre Trust, and detailed plans and costings for renovation and restoration as a theatre were compiled. The renovation work included extending the stage, and the building of a new fly-tower and new backstage areas. In total, the project cost £12 million. This was funded mainly by the European Regional Development Fund and Sheffield City Council. Significant levels of public donations were also received.
In December 1990 the newly restored Lyceum theatre reopened once again. Paul Nicholas headed the cast of the Broadway version of 'The Pirates of Penzance'. Since then, the theatre has been host to a wide range of highly acclaimed touring companies, including the Royal National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Opera North and Northern Ballet Theatre. It regularly presents touring versions of hit West End shows, and has been home to Croft House Operatic Society since 1991.
Steve Ash
