Bbc Television Theatre

TQ 2379 SHEPHERDS BUSH GREEN W12

4/100

2.10.81 BBC Television Theatre

• II

Theatre formerly Shepherds Bush Empire. 1903 by Frank Matcham; in an unusual manner for this architect and now unique among his London theatres in showing marked Arts and Crafts influence. Terracotta, brick and roughcast; asymmetrical. A robust round tower on the left with a tall brick base, roughcast main stage pierced by casually placed terracotta framed windows; octagonal terracotta top stage with mannered classical details, each face with arched windows and scooped parapet set between blocked Ionic columns, above which plain corner shafts continue as ramped buttresses to support a lantern and cupola (originally with ornate finial). Centre brick-faced entrance bay with bracketed eaves, terracotta arcade at first floor level (now covered by a sign) and central bowed feature. On the right, a roughcast gabled bay and, beyond this, a wide, splayed brick return. Iron entrance canopy with modern cladding. Extensions and internal alterations for television use, but the auditorium still has much of its rich plaster ornament, with serpentine bracketed cornice over the proscenium, flanked by shell-hooded box and corner niches with angels in the spandrels, cove with scale ornament and circular ceiling with oval panels. Good entrance foyer.

Listing NGR: TQ2333179772