Criterion Theatre

A new circus comes to town

Having demolished the White Bear, a 17th century inn, Thomas Verity (Victorian entrepreneur) builds a new development called Regent’s Circus – complete with a music hall.

1874 Our very first ‘First Night’

March 21st to be exact, with a programme including H J Byron’s An American Lady and Topseyturveydom, a piece by W S Gilbert – one half of the famous light-operatic duo Gilbert & Sullivan.

1875

Actor-Manager (and trained surgeon) Charles Wyndham arrives and swiftly establishes the Cri as one of London’s leading comedy venues before leaving to establish the nearby Wyndham's Theatre in 1899.