Berwick Street Private Theatre

In the first half of the nineteenth century a number of venues known as 'private theatres' emerged in London. These venues were targeting a growing number of amateur theatre enthusiasts. Each private theatre may have worked in a different way, with different structures, membership systems and financing. In some venues, individuals could pay a fee to perform a role, with larger roles costing more money.

The Berwick Street Private Theatre was located in Berwick Street, in London's Soho district. It appears to have been functioning in the 1820s.

Charles Dickens satirised London's private theatres in Sketches by Boz. However, many actors of the nineteenth century discuss the private theatres in their memoirs and autobiographies, making clear that these were often the starting point of their careers.

Repertoire

1822, 11 December - Bickerstaff's comic opera of Love in a Village and the popular farce Three Weeks After Marriage. The evening opened with an address written for the occasion and spoken by Mr. C. Elliston (Charles Elliston who had a career as an actor), Mr. Povey and Mr. Horwell. Muscal pieces went between the two dramatic works. The performances began at 7pm.

1823, 20 June - Poor Gentleman (comedy) by George Colman and Katherine and Petruchio (farce)