London BBC Radio Theatre
BBC Radio Theatre, formerly named as The Concert Hall, is a live broadcast and audio recording theatre located inside BBC's Broadcasting House in Central London. The theatre was designed by George Val Myer and opened in 1934 originally as a sound studio. At that time, the capacity allowed up to 550 people and a large orchestra in the hall. The theatre also used to house a pipe organ, the Compton organ, designed by John Compton, featuring 2,826 pipes in 35 ranks. During the Second World War, part of the hall was used as a dormitory. In 1994, The Concert Hall was renamed to BBC Radio Theatre.
In 1966, it was revealed through investigations that Studio S2, located beneath the theatre, leaked sound into the hall due to improper sound insulation and lack of floating floor. Allthough not heard on recordings, this occasionally distracted musicians during performances.
2012 saw the theatre install a developmental Ultra HD (8K) video system together with 22.2 Surround Sound audio system to show the London Olympics and the opening ceremony.
The theatre also houses a bar and a cafe.
Musical acts that performed inside the theatre include David Bowie, Stereophonics, Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra, James Morrison and more. BBC comedy programmes filmed inside include Just a Minute, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue and What's My Line?. The theatre is home to the Radio 2 In Concert series.
Muse appearances inside BBC Radio Theatre
- 2012-10-31 (Radio 2 In Concert)
Venue address
Broadcasting House
Portland Place
Marylebone
London W1A 1AA
United Kingdom