Opera Comique

Opera Comique
A 1901 postcard of Wych Street, shortly before its demolition
Map
Address299 Strand
Westminster, London
Coordinates51°30′47″N 00°06′57″W / 51.51306°N 0.11583°W / 51.51306; -0.11583
DesignationDemolished
Current useSite occupied by Bush House
Construction
Opened1870
Closed1899
ArchitectF. H. Fowler

The Opera Comique was a 19th-century theatre constructed in Westminster, London, located between Wych Street, Holywell Street and the Strand. It opened in 1870 and was demolished in 1902, to make way for the construction of the Aldwych and Kingsway.

The theatre was built cheaply as a speculative venture, and was known as one of the "rickety twins" along with the adjacent Globe Theatre. Numerous managements presented plays in English, French and German, and the house was also used for extravaganzas and English versions of French opéras bouffes. It is best remembered as the theatre where several early Gilbert and Sullivan operas had their first runs, between 1877 and 1881.