W. G. R. Sprague

W.G.R. Sprague (1863–1933) was a theatre designer in the grand age.

Born in Australia, the son of actress Dolores Drummond who returned with acclaim to London in 1874. Sprague was articled to Frank Matcham for four years, then in 1880 to Walter Emden for three years; and then in partnershp with Bertie Crewe until 1895. He went on to design a large number of theatres and music halls, almost all of them in London. At the height of his career he showed a productivity worthy of mentor Frank Matcham, producing six theatres in Westminster in less than four years. Unlike Matcham and Emden, Sprague studied architectural forms and conventions and used his knowledge in his designs, saying of himself that he "liked the Italian Renaissance" as a style for his frontages, but would take liberties when needed "to get the best effects" In 1902, the theatre newspaper The Era was describing him as "Britain’s youngest theatrical designer, with more London houses to his credit than any other man in the same profession." [ [http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/corporation/lma_learning/theatrelands/text.asp?ID=333 LMA Learning Zone > Theatrelands > Architects > W.G.R. Sprague 1863-1933 ] ]

Sprague died in Maidenhead. None of his music halls have survived, but several of his theatres still stand.

Theatres

References

External links

* [http://www.thisistheatre.com/londontheatre/index.html This is Theatre] list of London Theatres, designers and opening dates