WhereCanWeGo Logo

Back

John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture

Thu 20 Nov 2025, 12.00pm

To coincide with the publication of his book, John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture, Charles Saumarez Smith will give a lunchtime talk on Vanbrugh’s extraordinary life: his upbringing; why he spent so much time in a French gaol; the writing of The Relapse and The Provoked Wife; and how he came to design Castle Howard with no previous experience of architecture. Saumarez Smith will give particular attention to Vanbrugh’s work as a theatrical impresario and the designer of the Queen’s Theatre, Haymarket, so disastrous as a venue for plays, but where all of Handel’s early operas were performed. He will then describe Vanbrugh’s quarrel with the Duchess of Marlborough and his later work as an architect, at King’s Weston, Claremont, Grimsthorpe, Seaton Delaval and Stowe. In recent years, Vanbrugh’s reputation as an architect has been eclipsed by his subordinate, Nicholas Hawksmoor. This talk and the accompanying book will explain Vanbrugh’s originality and influence on later architects from Robert Adam to Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown.

Charles Saumarez Smith is a writer, curator and art historian. He has served as Director of the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery, London, as Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Arts, London, as Professor of Architectural History at the Royal Academy of Arts, and Chairman of The Royal Drawing School and The Watercolour World. He is currently a Trustee of the Garden Museum, and Emeritus Trustee of ArtUK and Charleston.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase in the Foyer at a special price.
event dateThursday 20 November
venue addressWigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone London W1U 2BP
event times12.00pm - Tickets are £5
telephone 020 7935 2141 for latest times or cancellations.
Organised by Wigmore Hall
Spread the word

Similar Current Events

Family Concert: Toot!
Wednesday 26 November Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
Imagine Series - Concert
Sunday 16 November Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
For Crying Out Loud!
Thursday 4 December Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
For Crying Out Loud!
Thursday 4 December Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
Chamber Tots: Rainbows and Rainstorms
Wednesday 21 Jan 26 Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
Chamber Tots: Rainbows and Rainstorms
Wednesday 21 Jan 26 Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
For Crying Out Loud!
Thursday 12 Feb 26 Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
For Crying Out Loud!
Thursday 12 Feb 26 Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
Chamber Tots: 3, 2, 1...Take Off!
Saturday 14 Feb 26 Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
Chamber Tots: 3, 2, 1...Take Off!
Saturday 14 Feb 26 Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone
Family Workshop: Imagine, Create, Perform!
Thursday 19 Feb 26 Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street Marylebone