The History and Antiquities of London, Westminster, Southwark, and Parts Adjacent, vol. 4
Allen, Thomas
1827
The Pantheon.
This theatre was originally built in , and opened on the : the designs were by James Wyatt, esq. and near | |
299 | persons of the highest rank and fashion assembled on this occasion to admire the splendid structure, which contained rooms, exclusive of the rotunda. The latter had double colonnades or recesses for the reception of company; and in niches around the base of the dome were statues of the heathen deities. In , it was used for part of the the other part being performed in Westminster-abbey. Soon after it was used as an Opera-house, and on , it was destroyed by an accidental fire. It was soon after rebuilt. In (), this theatre was opened with Mr. T. Dibdin's opera of the The company and band were excellent, but so many interests were opposed to its success, that in a short time the proprietors were obliged to close the house at a loss of The theatre since that time has been in a deplorable state of decay. The front exhibits a neat portico and pediment, supported on Ionic columns. In the middle story is a central Venetian window. A plain attic terminates the whole. |
Footnotes: [] See ante, p. 20. |
