The Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK’s most treasured and magical buildings, recognisable the world over. It is a registered charity and operates without any public subsidy. Since opening in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall has had an unparalleled history of exceptional performances by the world’s leading artists. Today over 350 events are held in the Hall’s auditorium each year which include performances of jazz, world music, rock and pop, dance, comedy, film premières and award ceremonies. Audiences of well over a million are entertained at the Hall each year and many millions more around the world enjoy the Hall experience through broadcasts, recordings and new media channels.
The Elgar Room
Built to support one of the Hall’s main purposes to promote the advancement of the Arts & Sciences, the West Theatre as this room was originally known, provided space for small theatricals and meetings of a scientific or literary nature. From1906 until 1957 it was the home of the Central School of Speech and Drama where luminaries such as Laurence Olivier, Vanessa Redgrave, Judi Dench, Virginia McKenna and Harold Pinter received their training. In 2009 the room was renovated to provide a state of the art performance space and restaurant. The photographs by David Redfern that adorn the walls are images of some of the iconic performers who have graced the stage at the Royal Albert Hall.