The Pheasantry: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Latest revision as of 09:51, 13 April 2024

The Pheasantry, 152 King's Road, Chelsea, London, is a Grade II listed building^[1] that was home to a number of important figures in 1960s London and a small music venue in the 1970s where a number of bands were able to play their first gigs.

Early history

The original buildings, now largely demolished, may have been constructed in 1766^[2] or 1769.^[3] The site gets its name from the business of Samuel Baker who developed new breeds of oriental pheasants as well as cattle and foxes. Advertising appeared in The Field in 1865 offering pairs of birds for 15 guineas.^[2]

Amédée Joubert and Son

The current building was constructed in the mid-nineteenth century.^[1] The Jouberts bought the building in 1880^[2] and it seems that they added significant amounts of architectural decoration around that time. According to Nikolaus Pevsner and Bridget Cherry, the building includes a "flamboyant Louis XV façade and a triumphal entrance arch to its front courtyard with caryatids and quadringa ... the odd, extremely heavy display of Grecian enthusiasm were added to an earlier house in 1881 by the artist and interior decorator Amédée Joubert".^[4] The London Green Guide noted in 2012 that only the facade and portico survive.^[5]

The firm of Amédée Joubert & Son provided services of upholstery, gilding, the importation of Aubusson tapestry, Lyons silks and oriental carpets and the manufacture of French bedding, chairs etc. and continued until 1932, lastly under Felix Joubert who also made dolls' house furniture for Queen Mary.^[6] By 1914, however, the showroom was closed and the rest of the building rented out as studios with only the basement in use by the Jouberts as a workshop.^[7]

Pheasantry studios

In the early 1900s, one occupant of the Pheasantry was Eleanor Thornton (drowned 1915), a favourite model of artist and sculptor Charles Sykes. Thornton may have been the model for Sykes' most famous work, his Rolls-Royce mascot the Spirit of Ecstasy.^[8]

From 1916, part of the building was a ballet academy run by the dance teacher Serafina Astafieva (1876–1934), great niece of Leo Tolstoy.^[3] Astafieva trained Alicia Markova who came to Diaghilev's attention when he visited the school in 1921^[9] and went on to join his Ballets Russes. Anton Dolin and Margot Fonteyn also trained there.^[10]

From 1950, the Italian painter Pietro Annigoni spent six months a year in Britain^[11] using the Pheasantry as his British studio.^[12]

The Pheasantry Club

Following the retirement of Felix Joubert in 1932,^[7]^[13] the basement became a bohemian restaurant and drinking club patronised by actors and artists,^[3] including Augustus John, Dylan Thomas, Humphrey Bogart, and Francis Bacon.^[13] It was run by an Italian called Reny De Meo.^[13] Lynda Bellingham recalls that in the 1960s Anthony Hopkins would "hold court" there doing an impression of Richard Burton doing Dylan Thomas.^[14] The club closed in 1966 after the death of the owner Mario Cazzani,^[15] and the building was converted into apartments^[3] and the basement into a nightclub.

1960s

Among those living at The Pheasantry in the 1960s were David Litvinoff who worked in Tim Whidborne's studio there,^[16] the writer Anthony Haden-Guest, the musician Eric Clapton and Martin Sharp of Oz magazine who shared a studio there, Germaine Greer, Robert Whitaker, Philippe Mora, Freya Mathews and Nicky Kramer.^[17] Clapton only escaped being arrested on drugs charges by Norman Pilcher, who rang the doorbell to announce "postman, special delivery", by escaping from the rear of the building.^[3] By this time, the building was starting to deteriorate. One visitor, Mick Farren, recalled: "It was falling down. It had gone through its popular phase, but no money had been put back into it to fix the roof and stuff, and the roofs were leaking and everything was kind of coming apart".^[17]

The sound from the nightclub in the basement could be heard through the floorboards in the studios above. The club had seen better days. Barry Miles recalls it as a venue where "the likelihood of having your drink spiked with acid was pretty high". Another said: "It would be an R & B club for a bit ... then it'd become a gay club for a while ... [it] always seemed to be hosting various floating crap games, some of which were R & B, some of which were folk music and some of which were gay. I think also it had a back room where the doors were closed and people went on drinking, and I think there were gangsters involved."^[17]

According to Miles, one King's Road character who lived at the Pheasantry had a pet rabbit, which he dyed bright green and may have given acid to, that "committed suicide" by leaping from the roof. Miles said: "He was a fucking mad idiot. I mean, there were a lot of people like that, particularly at the Pheasantry, it was really filled with them."^[18]

1970s

The Pheasantry nightclub hosted early gigs by Lou Reed, Queen and Hawkwind. The venue was small, however. According to John Hewlett, "It was a naff place to play. It was the sort of place you played if you get The Marquee."^[19] It was a gig in London, however, and unsigned bands were grateful for that.^[19] The 1972 gig by Queen, which had been intended as a showcase for the band, did not go well. Phil Reed remembered that the band were "unpolished" and the venue was mainly a disco, "once the disco had stopped and Queen went on everyone went to the bar."^[20] In addition, none of the record company A & R people who had been invited, turned up.^[20] Thin Lizzy performed there and were described as "playing to a handful of posey people sitting there drinking cocktails."^[21]

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice found Yvonne Elliman at the Pheasantry, as a result of which she featured in the original soundtrack of Jesus Christ Superstar.^[22] Sparks played their first British gig there.^[19]

In the 1970s John Betjeman led a campaign to prevent the redevelopment of the site.^[22]^[23]

Today

The building now houses a branch of the Pizza Express restaurant chain.^[24] In the basement is a cabaret club The Pheasantry which opened in 2010 after the closure of Pizza on the Park.^[25]

References

^ ^a ^b Historic England. "THE PHEASANTRY (1224738)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c Piper, David. (2000). The Companion Guide to London (9th revised ed.). Woodbridge: Companion Guides. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-900639-36-1.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Glinert, Ed. (2012). The London Compendium: A Street-by-street Exploration of the Hidden Metropolis. London: Penguin. p. 1001. ISBN 978-0-7181-9204-4.
^ Pevsner, Nikolaus & Bridget Cherry. (2002) London 3: North West. Reprint. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300096526
^ Michelin. (2012). London Green Guide Michelin 2012–2013. London: Michelin. p. 213. ISBN 978-2-06-718238-7.
^ The Electric Theatre cinema adjacent at 148–50 King's Road was designed by Felix in 1912.
^ ^a ^b "Economic history: Trade and industry" in A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 12: Chelsea. (2004) pp. 156–165. www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
^ Wings of desire: the secret love affair that inspired Rolls-Royce's flying lady. Chris Hastings, The Daily Telegraph, 20 April 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
^ Decharne, Max. (2005) King's Road: The Rise and Fall of the Hippest Street in the World. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, p. 23. ISBN 0297847694
^ Decharne, 2005, p. 23.
^ "ANNIGONI, Pietro." Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 27 September 2014. (subscription required)
^ Pearson, John. (2013). The Cult of Violence: The Untold Story of the Krays. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-4482-1152-4.
^ ^a ^b ^c Decharne, 2005, p. 29.
^ Bellingham, Lynda (2011). Lost and Found: My Story. London: Ebury Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-09-193641-9.
^ The Princess at the Pheasantry. Dave Walker, The Library Time Machine, 27 June 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
^ Martin Sharp, Greg Weight, MILESAGO. Retrieved 15 August 2014. Originally published in Australian Artist.
^ ^a ^b ^c Decharne, 2005, pp. 201–202.
^ Decharne, 2005, pp. 202–203.
^ ^a ^b ^c Easlea, Daryl. (2010). Talent Is An Asset: The Story Of Sparks. London: Omnibus Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-85712-237-7.
^ ^a ^b Hodkinson, Mark. (2004). Queen: The Early Years. London: Omnibus Press. p. 152. ISBN 978-1-84449-012-7.
^ Putterford, Mark. (2010). Phil Lynott: The Rocker. London: Omnibus Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-85712-254-4.
^ ^a ^b The Pheasantry The Shady Old Lady's Guide to London, 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
^ "Settlement and building: Twentieth century: after the second world war" in A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 12: Chelsea. (2004) pp. 91–101. www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
^ Pizza Express: PizzaExpress London – Kings Road Italian Restaurant. Retrieved 16 August 2014
^ New cabaret venue launches in west London The Stage, 21 May 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2014.

External links

Media related to The Pheasantry, London at Wikimedia Commons
Photographs at victorianweb.org

51°29′20″N 0°09′51″W / 51.4890°N 0.1642°W / 51.4890; -0.1642

[EH-1] Historic England. "THE PHEASANTRY (1224738)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 August 2014.

[Piper-2] Piper, David. (2000). The Companion Guide to London (9th revised ed.). Woodbridge: Companion Guides. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-900639-36-1.

[Glinert2012-3] Glinert, Ed. (2012). The London Compendium: A Street-by-street Exploration of the Hidden Metropolis. London: Penguin. p. 1001. ISBN 978-0-7181-9204-4.

[4] Pevsner, Nikolaus & Bridget Cherry. (2002) London 3: North West. Reprint. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300096526

[Mich-5] Michelin. (2012). London Green Guide Michelin 2012–2013. London: Michelin. p. 213. ISBN 978-2-06-718238-7.

[6] The Electric Theatre cinema adjacent at 148–50 King's Road was designed by Felix in 1912.

[brit28708-7] "Economic history: Trade and industry" in A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 12: Chelsea. (2004) pp. 156–165. www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2014.

[8] Wings of desire: the secret love affair that inspired Rolls-Royce's flying lady. Chris Hastings, The Daily Telegraph, 20 April 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2014.

[Dech-9] Decharne, Max. (2005) King's Road: The Rise and Fall of the Hippest Street in the World. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, p. 23. ISBN 0297847694

[10] Decharne, 2005, p. 23.

[11] "ANNIGONI, Pietro." Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 27 September 2014. (subscription required)

[Pearson2013-12] Pearson, John. (2013). The Cult of Violence: The Untold Story of the Krays. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-4482-1152-4.

[Dech29-13] Decharne, 2005, p. 29.

[Bellingham2011-14] Bellingham, Lynda (2011). Lost and Found: My Story. London: Ebury Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-09-193641-9.

[15] The Princess at the Pheasantry. Dave Walker, The Library Time Machine, 27 June 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2014.

[16] Martin Sharp, Greg Weight, MILESAGO. Retrieved 15 August 2014. Originally published in Australian Artist.

[Dech201-17] Decharne, 2005, pp. 201–202.

[Dech202-18] Decharne, 2005, pp. 202–203.

[Easlea-19] Easlea, Daryl. (2010). Talent Is An Asset: The Story Of Sparks. London: Omnibus Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-85712-237-7.

[Queen-20] Hodkinson, Mark. (2004). Queen: The Early Years. London: Omnibus Press. p. 152. ISBN 978-1-84449-012-7.

[Putterford2010-21] Putterford, Mark. (2010). Phil Lynott: The Rocker. London: Omnibus Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-85712-254-4.

[shady-22] The Pheasantry The Shady Old Lady's Guide to London, 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.

[23] "Settlement and building: Twentieth century: after the second world war" in A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 12: Chelsea. (2004) pp. 91–101. www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2014.

[PizzaExpress-24] Pizza Express: PizzaExpress London – Kings Road Italian Restaurant. Retrieved 16 August 2014

[25] New cabaret venue launches in west London The Stage, 21 May 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2014.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
 [[File:The Pheasantry-152 Kings Road.JPG|thumb|The Pheasantry in 2009]]
-'''The Pheasantry''', 152 [[King's Road]], Chelsea, London, is a Grade II [[listed building]]<ref name=EH>[http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1224738 THE PHEASANTRY] English Heritage. Retrieved 15 August 2014.</ref> that was home to a number of important figures in 1960s London and a small music venue in the 1970s where a number of bands were able to play their first gigs.
+'''The Pheasantry''', 152 [[King's Road]], Chelsea, London, is a Grade II [[listed building]]<ref name=EH>{{NHLE|num=1224738 |desc=THE PHEASANTRY|accessdate= 15 August 2014}}</ref> that was home to a number of important figures in 1960s London and a small music venue in the 1970s where a number of bands were able to play their first gigs.
 ==Early history==
 [[File:Pheasantry-Joubert sign.JPG|125px|thumbnail|right|Trade signs from Amédée Joubert & Son survive at The Pheasantry]]
-The original buildings, now largely demolished, may have been constructed in 1766<ref name=Piper/> or 1769.<ref name=Glinert2012>{{cite book|author=Glinert, Ed.|title=The London Compendium: A Street-by-street Exploration of the Hidden Metropolis|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=s-CjHWA_p5IC&pg=PT1001|date=2012|place=London|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0-7181-9204-4|pages=1001}}</ref> The site gets its name from the business of Samuel Baker who bred new strains of cattle, foxes and oriental pheasants. Advertising appeared in ''[[The Field (magazine)|The Field]]'' in 1865 offering pairs of birds for 15 guineas.<ref name=Piper/>
+The original buildings, now largely demolished, may have been constructed in 1766<ref name=Piper/> or 1769.<ref name=Glinert2012>{{cite book|author=Glinert, Ed.|title=The London Compendium: A Street-by-street Exploration of the Hidden Metropolis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s-CjHWA_p5IC&pg=PT1001|date=2012|place=London|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0-7181-9204-4|pages=1001}}</ref> The site gets its name from the business of Samuel Baker who developed new breeds of oriental pheasants as well as cattle and foxes. Advertising appeared in ''[[The Field (magazine)|The Field]]'' in 1865 offering pairs of birds for 15 guineas.<ref name=Piper/>
-==Amédée Joubert & Son==
+==Amédée Joubert and Son==
-[[English Heritage]] believe that the current building was constructed in the mid-nineteenth century.<ref name=EH/> The ''Companion Guide to London'' states that the Jouberts bought the building in 1880<ref name=Piper>{{cite book|author=Piper, David.|title=The Companion Guide to London|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=-dgWToQ6qU0C&pg=PA199|edition=9th revised|year=2000|publisher=Companion Guides|location=Woodbridge|isbn=978-1-900639-36-1|page=199}}</ref> and it seems that they added significant amounts of architectural decoration around that time. According to [[Nikolaus Pevsner]] and [[Bridget Cherry]], the building includes a "flamboyant Louis XV façade and a triumphal entrance arch to its front courtyard with caryatids and quadringa ... the odd, extremely heavy display of Grecian enthusiasm were added to an earlier house in 1881 by the artist and interior decorator Amédée Joubert".<ref>Pevsner, Nikolaus & Bridget Cherry. (2002) ''London 3: North West''. Reprint. New Haven: [[Yale University Press]]. ISBN 0300096526</ref> The ''London Green Guide'' noted in 2012 that only the [[Facade|facade]] and [[portico]] survive.<ref name=Mich>{{cite book|author=Michelin.|title=London Green Guide Michelin 2012-2013|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=WCh1M90AVQUC&pg=PT213|year=2012|publisher=Michelin|location=London|isbn=978-2-06-718238-7|page=213}}</ref>
+The current building was constructed in the mid-nineteenth century.<ref name=EH/> The Jouberts bought the building in 1880<ref name=Piper>{{cite book|author=Piper, David.|title=The Companion Guide to London|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-dgWToQ6qU0C&pg=PA199|edition=9th revised|year=2000|publisher=Companion Guides|location=Woodbridge|isbn=978-1-900639-36-1|page=199}}</ref> and it seems that they added significant amounts of architectural decoration around that time. According to [[Nikolaus Pevsner]] and [[Bridget Cherry]], the building includes a "flamboyant Louis XV façade and a triumphal entrance arch to its front courtyard with caryatids and quadringa ... the odd, extremely heavy display of Grecian enthusiasm were added to an earlier house in 1881 by the artist and interior decorator Amédée Joubert".<ref>Pevsner, Nikolaus & Bridget Cherry. (2002) ''London 3: North West''. Reprint. New Haven: [[Yale University Press]]. {{ISBN|0300096526}}</ref> The ''London Green Guide'' noted in 2012 that only the facade and [[portico]] survive.<ref name=Mich>{{cite book|author=Michelin.|title=London Green Guide Michelin 2012–2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WCh1M90AVQUC&pg=PT213|year=2012|publisher=Michelin|location=London|isbn=978-2-06-718238-7|page=213}}</ref>
-The firm of [[Amédée Joubert|Amédée Joubert & Son]] provided services of upholstery, gilding, the importation of [[Aubusson tapestry]], Lyons silks and oriental carpets and the manufacture of French bedding, chairs etc. The last Joubert to work at The Pheasantry was Felix who was there until 1932. He made furniture for [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary's]] dolls' house and designed the Electric Theatre cinema adjacent at 148-50 King's Road in 1912. He had closed his showroom by 1914, retaining only the basement as a workshop and letting out the rest of the building as studios.<ref name=brit28708>http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=28708</ref>
+The firm of [[Amédée Joubert|Amédée Joubert & Son]] provided services of upholstery, gilding, the importation of [[Aubusson tapestry]], Lyons silks and oriental carpets and the manufacture of French bedding, chairs etc. and continued until 1932, lastly under Felix Joubert who also made dolls' house furniture for [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]].<ref>The Electric Theatre cinema adjacent at 148–50 King's Road was designed by Felix in 1912.</ref> By 1914, however, the showroom was closed and the rest of the building rented out as studios with only the basement in use by the Jouberts as a workshop.<ref name=brit28708>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=28708 "Economic history: Trade and industry"] in ''A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 12: Chelsea''. (2004) pp. 156–165. www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2014.</ref>
 ==Pheasantry studios==
 [[File:Serafina Astafieva c. 1890s.jpg|thumbnail|Serafina Astafieva, c. 1890s]]
-In the early 1900s, one occupant of the Pheasantry was [[Eleanor Thornton]], the favourite model of artist and sculptor [[Charles Robinson Sykes|Charles Sykes]]. Thornton is believed to have been the model for Sykes' most famous work, his [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls Royce]] mascot ''the [[Spirit of Ecstasy]]''. [[Pietro Annigoni]] also lived there.{{citation required|date=August 2014}}
+In the early 1900s, one occupant of the Pheasantry was [[Eleanor Thornton]] (drowned 1915), a favourite model of artist and sculptor [[Charles Robinson Sykes|Charles Sykes]]. Thornton may have been the model for Sykes' most famous work, his [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]] mascot ''the [[Spirit of Ecstasy]]''.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1896156/Wings-of-desire-the-secret-love-affair-that-inspired-Rolls-Royces-flying-lady.html Wings of desire: the secret love affair that inspired Rolls-Royce's flying lady.] Chris Hastings, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', 20 April 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2014.</ref>
+From 1916, part of the building was a ballet academy run by the dance teacher [[Serafina Astafieva]] (1876–1934), great niece of [[Leo Tolstoy]].<ref name=Glinert2012/> Astafieva trained [[Alicia Markova]] who came to [[Diaghilev]]'s attention when he visited the school in 1921<ref name=Dech>Decharne, Max. (2005) ''King's Road: The Rise and Fall of the Hippest Street in the World''. London: [[Weidenfeld & Nicolson]], p. 23. {{ISBN|0297847694}}</ref> and went on to join his [[Ballets Russes]]. [[Anton Dolin (ballet dancer)|Anton Dolin]] and [[Margot Fonteyn]] also trained there.<ref>Decharne, 2005, p. 23.</ref>
-==Serafina Astafieva==
-In 1916, part of the building was a ballet academy run by the dance teacher [[Serafina Astafieva]], great niece of [[Leo Tolstoy]].<ref name=Glinert2012/> Astafieva trained [[Alicia Markova]] who was spotted by [[Diaghilev]] on a visit to the school in 1921<ref name=Dech>Decharne, Max. (2005) ''King's Road: The Rise and Fall of the Hippest Street in the World''. London: [[Weidenfeld & Nicholson]], p. 23. ISBN 0297847694</ref> and went on to join his [[Ballets Russes]]. [[Margot Fonteyn]] and [[Anton Dolin]] also trained there.<ref>Decharne, 2005, p. 23.</ref> Astafieva died in 1934.
+From 1950, the Italian painter [[Pietro Annigoni]] spent six months a year in Britain<ref>"ANNIGONI, Pietro." ''[[Benezit Dictionary of Artists]]''. [[Oxford Art Online]]. [[Oxford University Press]]. Retrieved 27 September 2014. {{subscription required}}</ref> using the Pheasantry as his British studio.<ref name=Pearson2013>{{cite book|author=Pearson, John.|title=The Cult of Violence: The Untold Story of the Krays|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sY3l-uQXAUsC&pg=PT73|date=2013|place=London|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4482-1152-4|page=73}}</ref>
 ==The Pheasantry Club==
-Following the retirement of Felix Joubert in 1932,<ref name=brit28708/><ref name=Dech29/> the basement became a bohemian restaurant and drinking club patronised by actors and artists,<ref name=Glinert2012/> including [[Augustus John]], [[Dylan Thomas]], [[Humphrey Bogart]], and [[Francis Bacon]].<ref name=Dech29>Decharne, 2005, p. 29.</ref> It was run by an Italian called Rene de Meo.<ref name=Dech29/> [[Lynda Bellingham]] recalls that in the 1960s [[Anthony Hopkins]] would "hold court" there doing an impression of [[Richard Burton]] doing Dylan Thomas.<ref name="Bellingham2011">{{cite book|author=Bellingham, Lynda|title=Lost and Found: My Story|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QmdUh2Lx4UUC&pg=PA53|year=2011|publisher=Ebury Press|location=London|isbn=978-0-09-193641-9|page=53}}</ref> The club closed in 1966 when the owner Mario Cazzini died,<ref>[https://rbkclocalstudies.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/the-princess-at-the-pheasantry/ The Princess at the Pheasantry.] Dave Walker, The Library Time Machine, 27 June 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2014.</ref> with the building converted into apartments<ref name=Glinert2012/> and the basement into a nightclub.
+Following the retirement of Felix Joubert in 1932,<ref name=brit28708/><ref name=Dech29/> the basement became a bohemian restaurant and drinking club patronised by actors and artists,<ref name=Glinert2012/> including [[Augustus John]], [[Dylan Thomas]], [[Humphrey Bogart]], and [[Francis Bacon (artist)|Francis Bacon]].<ref name=Dech29>Decharne, 2005, p. 29.</ref> It was run by an Italian called Reny De Meo.<ref name=Dech29/> [[Lynda Bellingham]] recalls that in the 1960s [[Anthony Hopkins]] would "hold court" there doing an impression of [[Richard Burton]] doing Dylan Thomas.<ref name="Bellingham2011">{{cite book|author=Bellingham, Lynda|title=Lost and Found: My Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QmdUh2Lx4UUC&pg=PA53|year=2011|publisher=Ebury Press|location=London|isbn=978-0-09-193641-9|page=53}}</ref> The club closed in 1966 after the death of the owner Mario Cazzani,<ref>[https://rbkclocalstudies.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/the-princess-at-the-pheasantry/ The Princess at the Pheasantry.] Dave Walker, The Library Time Machine, 27 June 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2014.</ref> and the building was converted into apartments<ref name=Glinert2012/> and the basement into a nightclub.
 ==1960s==
-Among those living at The Pheasantry in the 1960s were [[David Litvinoff]] who worked in [[Timothy Whidborne|Tim Whidborne's]] studio there,<ref>[http://www.milesago.com/misc/sharp.htm ''Martin Sharp''], Greg Weight, MILESAGO. Retrieved 15 August 2014. Originally published in ''Australian Artist''.</ref> the writer [[Anthony Haden-Guest]], the musician [[Eric Clapton]] and [[Martin Sharp]] of ''[[Oz (magazine)|Oz]]'' magazine who shared a studio there, [[Germaine Greer]], [[Robert Whitaker (photographer)|Robert Whitaker]] and Nicky Kramer.<ref name=Dech201>Decharne, 2005, pp. 201-202.</ref> Clapton only escaped being arrested on drugs charges by [[Norman Pilcher]], who rang the doorbell to announce "postman, special delivery", by escaping from the rear of the building.<ref name=Glinert2012/> By this time, the building was starting to deteriorate. One visitor, [[Mick Farren]], recalled: "It was falling down. It had gone through its popular phase, but no money had been put back into it to fix the roof and stuff, and the roofs were leaking and everything was kind of coming apart".<ref name=Dech201/>
+Among those living at The Pheasantry in the 1960s were [[David Litvinoff]] who worked in [[Timothy Whidborne|Tim Whidborne's]] studio there,<ref>[http://www.milesago.com/misc/sharp.htm ''Martin Sharp''], Greg Weight, MILESAGO. Retrieved 15 August 2014. Originally published in ''Australian Artist''.</ref> the writer [[Anthony Haden-Guest]], the musician [[Eric Clapton]] and [[Martin Sharp]] of ''[[Oz (magazine)|Oz]]'' magazine who shared a studio there, [[Germaine Greer]], [[Robert Whitaker (photographer)|Robert Whitaker]], [[Philippe Mora]], [[Freya Mathews]] and [[Nicky Kramer]].<ref name=Dech201>Decharne, 2005, pp. 201–202.</ref> Clapton only escaped being arrested on drugs charges by [[Norman Pilcher]], who rang the doorbell to announce "postman, special delivery", by escaping from the rear of the building.<ref name=Glinert2012/> By this time, the building was starting to deteriorate. One visitor, [[Mick Farren]], recalled: "It was falling down. It had gone through its popular phase, but no money had been put back into it to fix the roof and stuff, and the roofs were leaking and everything was kind of coming apart".<ref name=Dech201/>
 The sound from the nightclub in the basement could be heard through the floorboards in the studios above. The club had seen better days. [[Barry Miles]] recalls it as a venue where "the likelihood of having your drink spiked with acid was pretty high". Another said: "It would be an R & B club for a bit ... then it'd become a gay club for a while ... [it] always seemed to be hosting various floating crap games, some of which were R & B, some of which were folk music and some of which were gay. I think also it had a back room where the doors were closed and people went on drinking, and I think there were gangsters involved."<ref name=Dech201/>
-According to Miles, one King's Road character who lived at the Pheasantry had a pet rabbit, which he dyed bright green and may have given acid to, that "committed suicide" by leaping from the roof. Miles said: "He was a fucking mad idiot. I mean, there were a lot of people like that, particularly at the Pheasantry, it was really filled with them."<ref name=Dech202>Decharne, 2005, pp. 202-203.</ref>
+According to Miles, one King's Road character who lived at the Pheasantry had a pet rabbit, which he dyed bright green and may have given acid to, that "committed suicide" by leaping from the roof. Miles said: "He was a fucking mad idiot. I mean, there were a lot of people like that, particularly at the Pheasantry, it was really filled with them."<ref name=Dech202>Decharne, 2005, pp. 202–203.</ref>
 ==1970s==
-[[File:London1.jpg|thumbnail|Sparks, playing in London, 1972. They played their first British gig at The Pheasantry.]]
-The Pheasantry nightclub hosted early gigs by [[Lou Reed]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]] and [[Hawkwind]]. The venue was small, however, and nobody remembers it fondly. It was a place that you went to if you were unknown and couldn't get in to any of the better clubs like [[The Marquee]].<ref name=Easlea/> It ''was'' a gig in London, however, and unsigned bands were grateful for that. The 1976 gig by Queen, which had been intended as a showcase for the band, did not go well. They were unpolished and the venue was mainly a disco. As soon as the disco ended and they started to play, everyone went to the bar. In addition, none of the record company [[A & R]] people who had been invited, turned up.<ref name=Queen>{{cite book|author=Hodkinson, Mark.|title=Queen: The Early Years|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=n84WbO8wiTQC&pg=PA152|year=2004|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|isbn=978-1-84449-012-7|page=152}}</ref> [[Thin Lizzy]] performed there and were described as "playing to a handful of posey people sitting there drinking cocktails."<ref name="Putterford2010">{{cite book|author=Putterford, Mark.|title=Phil Lynott: The Rocker|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=15vNhYoMzloC&pg=PT63|year=2010|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|isbn=978-0-85712-254-4|page=63}}</ref>
+The Pheasantry nightclub hosted early gigs by [[Lou Reed]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]] and [[Hawkwind]]. The venue was small, however. According to John Hewlett, "It was a naff place to play. It was the sort of place you played if you get [[The Marquee]]."<ref name=Easlea/> It ''was'' a gig in London, however, and unsigned bands were grateful for that.<ref name=Easlea/> The 1972 gig by Queen, which had been intended as a showcase for the band, did not go well. Phil Reed remembered that the band were "unpolished" and the venue was mainly a disco, "once the disco had stopped and Queen went on everyone went to the bar."<ref name=Queen/> In addition, none of the record company [[A & R]] people who had been invited, turned up.<ref name=Queen>{{cite book|author=Hodkinson, Mark.|title=Queen: The Early Years|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n84WbO8wiTQC&pg=PA152|year=2004|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|isbn=978-1-84449-012-7|page=152}}</ref> [[Thin Lizzy]] performed there and were described as "playing to a handful of posey people sitting there drinking cocktails."<ref name="Putterford2010">{{cite book|author=Putterford, Mark.|title=Phil Lynott: The Rocker|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15vNhYoMzloC&pg=PT63|year=2010|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|isbn=978-0-85712-254-4|page=63}}</ref>
-[[Yvonne Elliman]] was discovered there by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] and [[Tim Rice]] which lead to her role in the original soundtrack recording of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]''.<ref name=shady>[http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location.php?loc=1082 The Pheasantry] ''The Shady Old Lady's Guide to London'', 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.</ref> [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]] played their first British gig there.<ref name=Easlea>{{cite book|author=Easlea, Daryl.|title=Talent Is An Asset: The Story Of Sparks|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=7n515ucve20C&pg=PT70|year=2010|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|isbn=978-0-85712-237-7|page=70}}</ref>
+[[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] and [[Tim Rice]] found [[Yvonne Elliman]] at the Pheasantry, as a result of which she featured in the original soundtrack of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]''.<ref name=shady>[http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location.php?loc=1082 The Pheasantry] ''The Shady Old Lady's Guide to London'', 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.</ref> [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]] played their first British gig there.<ref name=Easlea>{{cite book|author=Easlea, Daryl.|title=Talent Is An Asset: The Story Of Sparks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7n515ucve20C&pg=PT70|year=2010|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|isbn=978-0-85712-237-7|page=70}}</ref>
-In the 1970s [[John Betjeman]] led a campaign to prevent the redevelopment of the site.<ref name=shady/><ref>http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=28698</ref>
+In the 1970s [[John Betjeman]] led a campaign to prevent the redevelopment of the site.<ref name=shady/><ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=28698 "Settlement and building: Twentieth century: after the second world war"] in ''A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 12: Chelsea''. (2004) pp. 91–101. www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2014.</ref>
 ==Today==
-The building now houses a branch of the [[Pizza Express]] restaurant chain.<ref name=PizzaExpress>Pizza Express: [http://www.pizzaexpress.com/visit-a-restaurant/restaurant/london-kings-road/ PizzaExpress London - Kings Road Italian Restaurant], Retrieved 16 August 2014</ref> In the basement is a cabaret club ''The Pheasantry'' which opened in 2010 following the closure of Pizza on the Park.<ref>[http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2010/05/new-cabaret-venue-launches-in-west-london/ New cabaret venue launches in west London] ''[[The Stage]]'', 21 May 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2014.</ref>
+The building now houses a branch of the [[Pizza Express]] restaurant chain.<ref name=PizzaExpress>Pizza Express: [http://www.pizzaexpress.com/visit-a-restaurant/restaurant/london-kings-road/ PizzaExpress London – Kings Road Italian Restaurant]. Retrieved 16 August 2014</ref> In the basement is a cabaret club ''The Pheasantry'' which opened in 2010 after the closure of Pizza on the Park.<ref>[http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2010/05/new-cabaret-venue-launches-in-west-london/ New cabaret venue launches in west London] ''[[The Stage]]'', 21 May 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2014.</ref>
 ==References==
@@ Line 43: / Line 46: @@
 ==Further reading==
-*Macdonald, Nesta. (1977) ''The History of the Pheasantry, Chelsea, 1766-1977.'' London: Nesta Macdonald. ISBN 0950560502
+*Macdonald, Nesta. (1977) ''The History of the Pheasantry, Chelsea, 1766–1977.'' London: Nesta Macdonald. {{ISBN|0950560502}}
 ==External links==
-{{Commons category|The Pheasantry, London}}
+* {{Commons category-inline|The Pheasantry, London}}
-*[http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/commercial/17.html Photographs at victorianweb.org]
+* [http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/commercial/17.html Photographs at victorianweb.org]
 {{coord|51.4890|-0.1642|type:landmark_region:GB-KEC|display=title}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Pheasantry, The}}
-[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in London]]
+[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea]]
-[[Category:Grade II listed houses]]
+[[Category:Grade II listed houses in London]]
-[[Category:Houses in Kensington and Chelsea]]
+[[Category:Houses in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea]]
 [[Category:Nightclubs in London]]
 [[Category:Restaurants in London]]
 [[Category:Music venues in London]]
+[[Category:King's Road, Chelsea, London]]