A stunning book called London Theatres has been published by renowned photographer Peter Dazeley.

It features 46 of the city’s most famous and not-so-famous stages, and is the third in a series of books by the Fulham photographer.

The book features a foreword from theatre legend and Oscar winner Mark Rylance, who has also starred on the big screen in films such as Dunkirk , while appearing on TV screens in the critically acclaimed Wolf Hall.

It offers a unique front-of-house and behind-the-scenes overview of the capital’s world class theatrical spaces, including public areas, auditorium and backstage.

The city is regarded as the theatre capital of the world, with smash hit musicals and West End shows, cutting-edge plays, Shakespeare productions in its original staging, outdoor and intimate fringe theatres.

Respected drama critic Michael Coveney provides the words to accompany the stunning images, with stories of the architecture, the staging and the productions that have defined each theatre.

Included in the book are grand dames such as the Grade I listed Haymarket, Drury Lane, and Covent Garden Opera House.

West End jewels such as The Savoy, Novello, Duke of York’s, St Martin’s, and Criterion make an appearance, while the popular National Theatre, Old Vic, Shakespeare’s Globe, Roundhouse, Royal Court also feature.

More unknown treasures such as The BBC Radio Theatre, Normansfield and Charing Cross theatres are also looked at, as is Richmond Theatre , The Playhouse, Adelphi, and the Ambassadors.

The book's front cover

Mr Dazeley told getwestlondon : My publisher suggested this book, and being a lover of the theatre I jumped at the chance of recording them as they stand in the 21st Century.”

Among his favourites were Royal Haymarket, recently restored Wilton’s Music Hall and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, situated next to The Globe and lit by candles.

He said: “They had to light over 100 candles just for me before I could photograph it!”

It is the latest book featuring sumptuous images in London images from award-winning Mr Dazeley, who has his studio in Parsons Green.

Previous efforts included Unseen London, which captured images of some of the city’s most beautiful, but most mysterious, buildings rarely seen by the public.

The 57-year-old actor recently won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies
Mark Rylance, who has appeared in over fifty productions of plays by Shakespeare and his contemporaries. He has also played numerous times in the West End, as well as winning an Oscar in Bridge of Spies

Its follow-up, London Uncovered, instead looked at beautiful locations which were readily accessible to the public .

He has also taken images of the personal belongings of legendary East End gangsters The Krays , including Ronnie’s sawn-off shot gun and infamous glasses.

The book, released in September, retails at £30 and is available from Amazon .

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