  the opera comique was a 19th-century theatre constructed in westminster, london, between wych street and holywell street with entrances on the east strand. it opened in 1870 and was demolished in 1902, to make way for the construction of the aldwych and kingsway. it is perhaps best remembered for hosting several of the early gilbert and sullivan operas. ==history== ===early years=== the opera comique opened in 1870, followed shortly by construction of the adjoining globe theatre in newcastle street. it had a seating capacity of 862.wearing, j. p. "the london west end theatre in the 1890s", educational theatre journal, vol. 29, no. 3 (october 1977), pp. 320-32, the johns hopkins university press (online by subscription to jstor) the two theatres, both owned by sefton parry, were built back to back and called the "rickety twins", on the site of the former lyon's inn, an old inn of chancery, previously belonging to the inner temple.'this inn, never of much importance, had fallen utterly into disrepute before the beginning of [the 19th] century, and become the resort of gamblers and swindlers... [and] was sold about the year 1863â. the strand (northern tributaries): clement's inn, new inn, lyon's inn etc., old and new london: volume 3 (1878), pp. 32-35, accessed: 6 december 2007 the theatre, built partly underground, had three entrances through long narrow tunnels from three streets (including the strand) and was therefore nicknamed the "theatre royal, tunnels". it was reportedly hastily built and draughty, and its long flight of stairs leading down to the level of the stalls was a dangerous fire hazard. however, it was nicely decorated.information from the arthur lloyd website accessed 01 mar 2007 parry built the theatre cheaply, hoping "to make handsome profits in compensation when the area was demolished, which was even then in contemplation".london encyclopedia, p. 319. see also [http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/corporation/lma_learning/theatrelands/text.asp?id=33
1870_establishments_in_England Former_buildings_and_structures_in_the_City_of_Westminster Former_theatres_in_London Music_venues_completed_in_1870 Opera_houses_in_England Opera_in_London Theatres_completed_in_1870 Theatres_where_Gilbert_or_Sullivan_works_premiered