The Stage

Wilton’s Music Hall named one of world’s most endangered sites

Published Tuesday 12 June 2007 at 16:15 by Alistair Smith

Wilton’s Music Hall in the East End of London has been named as one of the world’s 100 most endangered sites, featuring alongside famous locations such as Machu Picchu in Peru and Route 66 in the US on the World Monument Fund’s annual watch list.

The venue, which is thought to be the last remaining example of mid-Victorian music hall in the capital, has been used to stage a number of theatre and opera productions during recent years. However, without £4 million of restoration, it will be faced with imminent closure.

“Without the necessary work, within the next two years the building won’t be safe for the public to use,” explained Wilton’s director Frances Mayhew. “There are some very straightforward things that need doing, which are also rather expensive.”

According to Mayhew, the site needs a replacement roof, as well as a major overhaul of the venue’s wiring and water supply, while problems with rot and subsidence need addressing. A repair plan has been drawn up by architect Tim Reynolds, however a bid from the organisation for Heritage Lottery Funding was rejected earlier this year, with the HLF questioning Wilton’s fund-raising capabilities.

The theatre has been told it must raise £500,000 before it returns with its application and Mayhew is hopeful that the listing on the WMF’s watch list will help with its fund-raising efforts, with both the HLF and other funding bodies.

John Levitt, retiring chair of the Save London’s Theatres Campaign, said that he had been concerned for the future of the venue for some time. He added: “It is wonderful that it has been listed as one of six UK and Irish sites. It remains in a dire state and it is patched up in a piece meal way.

“It is Grade II* listed, and while we are not criticising any of the companies who have been there, there are no excuses for the state it has got into and English Heritage should be ashamed of themselves. The Mayor of London should be asked for his support, as should the Minister for Culture.”

People wishing to donate to Wilton’s fund-raising appeal should email a.yates@wiltons.org.uk