Frank Matcham - Highgate East Cemetery, London, UK
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Master Mariner
N 51° 33.994 W 000° 08.759
30U E 697797 N 5716692
The grave of Frank Matcham is close to the entrance to Highgate Cemetery and is adjacent to one of the minor paths near the toilets. Matcham is famous for his architectural work with theatres.
Waymark Code: WMHB67
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/18/2013
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member rangerroad
Views: 2

The headstone takes the form of a cross with the inscriptions on the two stepped blocks at the base of the cross. The lower inscription is partly hidden by foliage so is only partially visible. The upper inscription reads:

In Loving Memory
of our dear father
Frank Matcham
who entered into rest
May 18th 1920 : aged 65 years

The Frank Matcham Society website tells us about Matcham:

Born in Devon the son of a brewery clerk he was brought up in Torquay where he went to  Babbacombe school.  In 1868 he became apprenticed to George Bridgman a local builder and architect. In the mid 1870's he moved to London to join the architectural practice of Jethro Robinson who was consulting  theatre architect to the Lord Chamberlain.

In 1877 Matcham married Robinson's daughter and the following year when Robinson died suddenly, the 24 year old Matcham found himself taking over the practise.

His first major job was to complete the Elephant and Castle Theatre which Robinson had started.  Following this, Matcham went from success to success and over the next 30 years he became unrivalled as the most prolific theatre architect of all time.

It is impossible to be definitive as to his total output, but on current research we can say that he designed at least 80 theatres  as original architect and he refitted or worked on at least as many again.  He also designed some pubs, cinemas, hotels and notably the County Arcade in Leeds and the Tower Ballroom and Circus in Blackpool.

Sadly, only some 2 dozen of his theatres survive with a further dozen having been drastically altered as bingo halls, nightclubs, cinemas etc.

Matcham never qualified as an architect and was snubbed by many in his profession, but he became the supreme example of his craft.  Despite his vast output each theatre was unique and his ability to produce magnificent theatres on difficult sites speedily and economically led him to become highly respected by theatre owners and managers and he developed close relationships with several especially Sir Oswald Stoll for whom he designed his supreme masterpiece the London Coliseum in 1904 as the flagship venue for his chain of theatres and Music Halls.  Happily this theatre survives largely intact as the home of the English National Opera and was  magnificently  restored for the centenary in 2004.

Description:
See the detailed description.


Date of birth: 11/22/1854

Date of death: 05/18/1920

Area of notoriety: Entertainment

Marker Type: Monument

Setting: Outdoor

Visiting Hours/Restrictions: M-F 10am to 5pm / S&S 11am to 4pm

Fee required?: Yes

Web site: [Web Link]

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