Roundhouse (venue) facts for kids
Main entrance to the Roundhouse
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| Location | Chalk Farm, London, England |
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| Coordinates | 51°32′36″N 0°09′07″W / 51.5432°N 0.1519°W |
| Public transit |  Chalk Farm |
| Capacity | 3,300 standing; 1,700 seated |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1846 |
| Renovated | 2004–2005 |
| Architect | Robert Stephenson, Robert B. Dockray (original) John McAslan & Partners (renovation) |
| Website | |
| roundhouse.org.uk | |
The Roundhouse is a famous place in London, England, where you can see amazing live shows and concerts. It's located in Chalk Farm and is a very old building. It used to be a special shed for trains! This building is so important that it's officially listed as a Grade II* historic site.
It was first built in 1847 by a railway company. It was called a "roundhouse" because it was a circular building with a giant spinning platform inside. This platform, called a railway turntable, helped turn train engines around. But the trains quickly became too long for the building. So, after about ten years, it was used for other things, like a warehouse. Before World War II, the building wasn't used much. It became a protected historic building in 1954.
In 1964, the Roundhouse opened again, this time as a place for performing arts. A writer named Arnold Wesker started a theatre company there. This big, round building has hosted many cool events. For example, a newspaper called International Times was launched there in 1966. Famous bands like The Doors with Jim Morrison played there in 1968.
The local government took over the building in 1983. But the theatre company ran out of money, and the Roundhouse closed again. In 1996, a local businessman bought it, and shows started happening there once more. It closed again in 2004 for a huge renovation project. Then, in June 2006, a show called Fuerzabruta opened in the newly improved Roundhouse.
Since 2006, the Roundhouse has been a popular spot for big events. It has hosted the BBC Electric Proms and many iTunes Festivals. Award shows also take place there. In 2009, music legend Bob Dylan performed a concert. The Roundhouse also hosts unique shows, like the circus performance Tabú by NoFit State Circus, where the audience could move around during the show.
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The Roundhouse Story
The Roundhouse was built in 1846. It was designed to be a shed for train engines with a turntable. It was known as the Great Circular Engine House. The original building was designed by Robert B. Dockray and Robert Stephenson. But within ten years, trains grew too long to fit inside. So, the Roundhouse was used for other purposes. For 50 years, starting in 1871, it was a warehouse for a gin company.
In 1964, the building was given to a group called Centre 42. They planned to turn it into a cultural center with a theatre, cinema, art gallery, and workshops. This project was supported by many famous actors and musicians. In 1966, the Roundhouse officially became an arts venue. The very first concert was an "All Night Rave" in October 1966. Bands like Soft Machine and Pink Floyd played there to celebrate the launch of a new newspaper called International Times.
Over the next ten years, the Roundhouse became a key place for "UK Underground" music events. Many famous bands played there, including The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, The Doors, Ramones, The Clash, and Motörhead.
The building was also used for filming music videos. The Manic Street Preachers filmed "A Design for Life" there in 1996. Videos for Stereophonics and Lostprophets were also shot at the Roundhouse. A scene from the comedy film Smashing Time was filmed there in 1967. In July of that year, the Roundhouse hosted important talks with thinkers like R. D. Laing and Allen Ginsberg.
The Roundhouse has also been a home for theatre. It had two periods where it was very important for plays and musicals. Musicals like Catch My Soul were performed there. It also showed experimental plays directed by Peter Brook.
In 1983, the local government gave the building to the Camden London Borough Council. There were plans to make it a Black Arts Centre, but it closed again because there wasn't enough money. On New Year's Eve 1991/92, a group called Spiral Tribe held a week-long party there.
Bringing the Roundhouse Back to Life
The building was mostly empty until 1996. That's when a generous person named Torquil Norman bought it for £6 million. In 1998, he started the Roundhouse Trust to help fix up the building. Famous people like Bob Geldof, Suggs, and Terry Gilliam joined the trust.
The venue opened for two years to help raise money for the big renovation. During this time, many shows were put on. These included the musical Oh, What a Lovely War! and a dance show called Stomp. The Argentine show Villa Villa ran for a whole year, becoming the longest-running show there. It ended when the building closed for its major redevelopment.
The plan for the renovated Roundhouse was to make it a very flexible space. It would be able to hold up to 3,300 people standing or 1,700 seated. This would allow for many different types of performances. These would include music, theatre, dance, circus, and digital art.
The renovated Roundhouse was designed by John McAslan & Partners. It reopened on June 1, 2006, with the show Fuerzabruta. Since 1996, the renovations had cost £27 million.
On December 20, 2006, George Michael performed a free concert there. He did this to thank nurses for taking care of his mother.
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In 2008, the Royal Shakespeare Company brought their "Histories Cycle" of plays to the Roundhouse. They changed the space to match their theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
On March 31, 2009, the circus group NoFit State Circus performed their show Tabu. They used the open space of the Roundhouse in a unique way. On April 26, 2009, Bob Dylan played a concert there. In July 2009, the iTunes Music Festival was also held at the venue.
In January 2010, the Roundhouse started hosting contemporary classical music events. It held the Reverb festival, with performances by groups like the London Contemporary Orchestra.
In 2015, for the Apple Music Festival, Apple helped the Roundhouse become more eco-friendly. They made big upgrades to the lighting, plumbing, and heating systems. They also added recycling bins and offered reusable water bottles. These changes help reduce the Roundhouse's carbon pollution and save water.
The Roundhouse Trust
Besides being a cool place for shows, the Roundhouse is also a charity. It runs creative programs for young people aged 11 to 25 through the Roundhouse Trust.
From 2006 to 2012, the Trust taught over 13,000 young people. They learned about live music, circus skills, theatre, and new media. These courses happen in the Roundhouse Studios. These studios are located underneath the main performance space. They include a music recording studio, film production rooms, and TV and radio studios.
Building Design
The Roundhouse is a very important historic building. It was named a National Heritage Site in 2010. It's a great example of railway architecture from the mid-1800s. The original building is 48 meters (about 157 feet) wide and is made of yellow bricks. It's special because of its circular shape and pointed roof. The roof is supported by 24 cast-iron columns and a frame of curved ribs. Inside, you can still see the original floor and parts of the old train turntable.
The 2006 renovation was supported by groups like English Heritage. The project added seven layers of soundproofing to the roof. They also put back the glass roof-lights, which let in natural light. A new steel and glass "New Wing" was added. This part curves around the main building and holds the box office, a bar, a café, an art gallery, and offices.
Music Recorded at the Roundhouse
Many famous artists have recorded live albums or songs at the Roundhouse. Here are a few examples:
- The Beatles: Carnival of Light (1967)
- The Rolling Stones: Bonus disc of Sticky Fingers, recorded in 1971
- Hawkwind: "Silver Machine" (recorded 1972)
- Motörhead: What's Words Worth? (recorded 1978)
- Opeth: The Roundhouse Tapes (recorded 2006)
- The Dresden Dolls: Live at the Roundhouse (recorded 2006)
- Linkin Park: iTunes Festival: London 2011 (EP) (recorded 2011)
- Adele: iTunes Festival: London 2011 (recorded 2011)
- Lady Gaga: Live at iTunes Festival (recorded 2013)
- Status Quo: Aquostic! Live at the Roundhouse (recorded 2014)
See also
In Spanish: Roundhouse para niños
