Adelphi Theatre

Founded in 1806 by father-daughter duo John and Jane Scott as the modestly named Sans Pareil - 'Without Compare' - the original theatre was known for melodrama, pantomime, farce and comic opera, upon re-opening in 1819, it was named The Adelphi after the buildings opposite with the melodramas known as the Adelphi Screamers.

Over the years there have been four buildings on the site and a few attempts to rename it, but Adelphi has always stuck by popular demand. Its current Art-Deco iteration dates back to 1930 since when its hosted primarily comedy and musicals, most famously Chicago, which ran for 8 and half years from 1997. The merry murderesses of the Kander and Ebb classic aren't the only brush with the law the theatre has seen in its history.

In 1858 actor William Terriss was killed by disturbed fellow actor Richard 'Mad Archer' Prince as he entered the theatre through the stage door. Terriss was said to stagger through the auditorium, before collapsing and dying in his mistress' arms. Mad Archer claimed he did it for revenge and spent the rest of his life in Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum where he was said to conduct the prison orchestra.