Grand Opera House, Belfast facts for kids
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Palace of Varieties (1904–1909)
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Front facade
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| Address | 2-4 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7HR Northern Ireland |
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| Coordinates | 54°35′42″N 5°56′06″W / 54.595°N 5.935°W |
| Owner | Grand Opera House Trust |
| Type | Visiting Production |
| Capacity | 1058 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 23 December 1895 1980 (re-opening) |
| Closed | 1972 (first closure) 2006 (for extension) 2020 (for restoration) |
| Rebuilt | Restored 2020 |
| Years active | 1895–1972, 1980–present |
| Architect | Frank Matcham |
| Website | |
| www.goh.co.uk | |
The Grand Opera House is a famous theatre in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was designed by Frank Matcham, a very well-known theatre architect. The theatre first opened its doors on December 23, 1895.
Many people think its main hall is one of the best examples of "oriental style" theatre design in the United Kingdom. In 2020 and 2021, the theatre had a big £12.2 million makeover. This project made the main hall look amazing again. It also updated the lobby and bar areas for visitors.
Today, the Grand Opera House hosts many different shows. You can see musicals, plays, ballet, opera, and comedy. They also have educational events and tours. The theatre's yearly pantomime is very popular. It has been performed every year since 1895! The theatre can hold 1,058 people.
Contents
A Look Back: Theatre History
The theatre first opened as the New Grand Opera House and Cirque. In 1904, its name changed to the Palace of Varieties. Then, in 1909, it became the Grand Opera House.
Early Performances and Famous Faces
Many famous people performed here in the early days. Charlie Chaplin was on stage in 1908. Before World War II, the theatre mostly showed "Variety" acts. But other stars also performed, like Nellie Melba and Gracie Fields.
During World War II, the theatre became a place for plays. Important leaders like Dwight D. Eisenhower and Montgomery attended special shows. Lena Horne also performed here in the 1940s.
After the war, more big stars came to the theatre. These included Laurel and Hardy, Vera Lynn, and Orson Welles. The famous singer Luciano Pavarotti made his UK debut here. In 1965, the National Theatre brought its play Love for Love. The cast included amazing actors like Laurence Olivier and a young Anthony Hopkins.
Becoming a Cinema and Facing Closure
In 1961, the Rank Organisation bought the Grand Opera House. They turned it into a cinema until 1972.
In the early 1970s, business slowed down. This was due to a difficult time in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. Rank planned to sell the theatre to a company that wanted to tear it down. They wanted to build an office block instead.
Saving the Grand Opera House
Luckily, some people stepped in to save the theatre. Kenneth Jamison from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Charles Brett helped. The Arts Council bought the building. In 1974, it was officially protected as a listed building.
The Department of Education also helped by providing money for big repairs. The Grand Opera House reopened in 1980. After that, many more leading performers appeared on its stage. These included Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, Kenneth Branagh, and Ian McKellen.
Bomb Damage and Resilience
The theatre has been damaged by bombs a few times. This usually happened when the nearby Europa Hotel was attacked. The theatre was badly damaged in 1991 and 1993. However, it always managed to keep going. It continued to host musicals, plays, pantomimes, and live music.
Modern Updates: 2006 and 2020
In 1995, the Grand Opera House Trust took over running the theatre.
2006 Renovation and Reopening
In 2006, the theatre got a new extension. This added a smaller studio theatre space. It also made the lobby bigger and improved dressing rooms. The changes also made it easier for people with disabilities to visit. The theatre reopened with a special event on October 21, 2006.
2020 Restoration Project
In 2020, the Grand Opera House closed again for a big restoration. Workers carefully cleaned and fixed the paintings and decorations in the main hall. New seats, carpets, and curtains were also put in.
The lobby and public areas were redesigned. A new bar was added in the glass extension from 1980. The bars in the stalls and circle areas were also updated. The theatre's technical equipment was improved. A permanent exhibition was also set up. It tells the theatre's 125-year history.
See also
In Spanish: Gran ópera de Belfast para niños
