The Coliseum theatre building dominates St
Martin's Lane with its strikingly ornamented
tower topped with a rotating globe. The
theatre is home to the English National
Opera. The Grade II* Listed building was
designed by the famous Frank Matcham and built
between 1902 and 1904. The Coliseum is
regarded as one of Matcham's finest
achievements.
The listing details describe it as having, "...
Channelled terracotta facing, painted over,
slate roofs. Exuberant Free Baroque
ambitious design, the Edwardian "Theatre de
Luxe of London" with richly decorated
interiors and a vast and grandiose
auditorium. 3 main storeys. Asymmetrical
facade with a lofty tower to the right and a
shorter pavilion-tower to left, and a
further south wing with shop. "
"The main tower has
balconied Venetian window at loggia
level and rises first to elaborate
cornice enriched with cartouches, then
as Ionic peristyle with figure sculpture
at corners supporting advanced coupled
columns, entablature and balustrade
surmounted by pedestalled ball finials
to corners, drum with oculi and stepped
dome surmounted by (formerly revolving)
large metal and glass globe."
"Triple arcaded
entrances approximately in centre with
polished red granite columns and
voussoirs and finely executed decorative
woodwork to doors and frames."
