The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre was designed by C. J. Phipps for Richard D'Oyly Carte and opened on 10 October 1881 on a site previously occupied by the Savoy Palace. Its intended purpose was to showcase the popular series of comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, which became known as the Savoy operas.
The Savoy Palace, as it appeared in the 14th century (19th c. engraving)
Original interior of Savoy Theatre, 1881
Original façade of the Savoy Theatre, 1881
Richard D'Oyly Carte was an English talent agent, theatrical impresario, composer, and hotelier during the latter half of the Victorian era. He built two of London's theatres and a hotel empire, while also establishing an opera company that ran continuously for over a hundred years and a management agency representing some of the most important artists of the day.
Programme for Trial by Jury, 1875
Helen Carte, formerly Helen Lenoir, Carte's assistant and second wife