"View of The Surrey Theatre", London, 1814 Copper Plate Engraving

The title line reads, "North East View of The Surrey Theatre, formerly The Royal Circus, near the Obelisk, Great Surrey Street." This hand-colored copper plate engraving shows the now-demolished Surrey Theatre building which was in use between 1784 and 1920. The theater opened in 1784 as "The Royal Circus and Philharmonic Academy", which featured animal acts, spectaculars, pantomimes, musicals, and dramas. This version of the theater burned down in early 1810. It was rebuilt later in the same year with this pictured Italianate facade, and it reopened as "The Surrey Theatre". It operated as the Surrey from 1810 to 1920 and presented various programs from Shakespearean plays with added ballet and musical scenes, to seasonal pantomimes, to drama and comedy, to vaudeville acts, and finally it operated as a movie theatre. After closing in 1920 it was abandoned and then demolished in 1935 to make room for apartments. The engraving reflects the great fun to be had within the London entertainment scene of the day, the fashionable clothes people wore, the iconic Roman arches, and the prominent stables that were part of every building. It is a fine piece of material history, showing places long gone. It will add a sense of history and culture to any decor.
This engraving was framed and sold as a genuine antique by Harrods of London in the mid 20th century, as mentioned on the gold label on the reverse side of the print.
Along the bottom of the image is printed, in the lower left, "Shepherd del.", and on the right is printed "Wise Sculpt." George Sidney Shepherd was a water-color and oil-color painter of landscapes, topography, and buildings. William Wise (fl. 1812-1864) was an exceptional engraver who worked in London for various artists and publishers. At the bottom left of the print the publisher's information reads, "London, Published 1st. May, 1814, by Robert Williamson, No. 58, Cornhill." In the bottom margin also are a map of the neighborhood and a brief history of the theater, its design, and its entertainment offerings. The sight measurements of the engraving are 12.5"W x 10"H. The overall measurements are listed below.