Coliseum

The Coliseum in St Martin's Lane (now home of the English National Opera) has the largest auditorium of all London's theatres. In 1916 the police were informed that the standing gallery had become a place of "indecent behavior among men". The hall had become popular for "male importuners" for several years and into the 1920s, despite it being patrolled regularly. Rather than cruising the streets, a half crown rover ticket could purchase the entry to large promenades, such as the Empire, Alhambra and Palladium theatres in London's West End. Men could circulate and socialise and meet new partners, as well as see some of the entertainment of the shows. It was an easy way to meet people without drawing attention to themselves as they might in cruising in streets, parks or public lavatories.

The cheaper Halls, the Prince of Wales and Collins were the most important cruising sites in the twentieth century.

By 1935 the use of these darkened galleries seemed to have moved elsewhere. When the Public Morality Council (PMC) investigated, they found no evidence, "though, at times, men known to importune have been present".

References

Queer London - Perils and Pleasures in the Sexual Metropolis, 1918-1957 Matt Houlbrook, The University of Chicago Press, 2005.