Lyric Opera House

The building in Bradmore Grove was externally of no architectural consequence. The unassuming (the word is almost too flattering) façade by Mason, modified by Francis, was retained and further modified by Matcham, who failed to introduce any striking new features, reserving all his originality and skill for the interior. The auditorium which, at the time of demolition, was one of Matcham's most endearing designs, was described in 1969 as 'one of the best examples of the fin-de-siecle theatre interior in London - one designed by a master of the art of theatre building' (Ashley Barker giving evidence at the public inquiry into the town centre redevelopment).

The listed theatre should have been regarded as a 'fix' in the redevelopment and been given a suitable new setting but, in keeping with the temper of the time, it was disregarded until a stage had been reached where its retention would have made much of the advanced design work abortive. The inquiry decision, however, required that the interior should be recorded and key parts of the plaster work should be removed and stored for possible reuse. The local Council greatly redeemed its past disregard for the theatre by observing this condition in spirit as well as word. To the Council's credit, the Matcham auditorium was recreated in 1979 inside a new building (see separate entry for the Lyric Hammersmith).