The Prince Edward was built-in 1930, at the top of the golden years of theatre. Their namesake was the Prince of Wales at the time. The architect for the construction was the one and only Edward A. Stone, among the co-designers of Piccadilly Theatre couple of years earlier in the day. As the exterior appeared somewhat harsh with a, the inner of the theater was plushly and lavishly furnished in soft shades of silver and fuchsia. Sitting 1650 customers, the auditorium included totally padded, tip-up seats, of quite the rage at the time. Together with the third largest stage in all of London, the theatre was designed for over-the-top musicals, dramas, revues, and even film. The proscenium arch which is why it was noted was truly a masterpiece, with niches and fountains by Rene Lalique.Performances in the Prince Edward began in a fairly inauspicious manner. The original presenting there, opening April 3, 1930, was the musical comedy Rio Rita, starring Geoffrey Gwyther and Edith Day. The present had been a resounding attack in New York's Ziegfeld Theatre, but was acquired rather coolly in London. After only 59 performances the show was cancelled. The following offering in the theatre began in October 1930 and was relatively effective. The audio Nippy starred Binnie Hale, a great box office attraction during the time. The large level made possible an extensive re-creation of an Austin saloon. Following Nippy a number of short runs included the extravagant Fanfare with Bernard Clifton, which closed after only three weeks.After many years of less than successful cabarets and trade movies, the theatrical world of London was astonished when Aladdin was shuttered in January 1935 without sufficient funds to cover the actors. Using the purchase of the house by way of a syndicate, the Prince Edward was about to undergo enormous changes. Upon completion of big kitchens below a revolving dance floor, the stage, and stairs connecting the various degrees of the auditorium, the theater re-opened whilst The London Casino on April 2, 1936. Charged as a cabaret-restaurant, its initial presenting was the Folies Parisiennes, a most popular revue at the time. The Casino was soon the place to get in London, developing a name for gaudy, even risqu
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