Opera House, Royal Tunbridge Wells facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Opera House |
|
|---|---|
The Opera House
|
|
| General information | |
| Status | Open |
| Type | Opera house |
| Architectural style | Edwardian Baroque |
| Town or city | Royal Tunbridge Wells |
| Country | England |
| Groundbreaking | 1901-10-10 |
| Completed | 1902 |
| Opened | 1902 |
| Renovated | 1996 |
| Owner | J D Wetherspoon |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Briggs |
| Awards and prizes | Grade II listed building |
The Opera House in Royal Tunbridge Wells, England, is a special building with a long history. It used to be a place where people watched operas, but now it's a popular pub. It's also a Grade II listed building, which means it's protected because of its historical importance.
Contents
History of the Opera House
Early Years as an Opera House
The building was finished in 1902. It was designed by an architect named John Priestley Briggs. When it first opened, it could hold 1,100 people. Imagine how many people could watch a show there!
In 1913, the Opera House helped raise money for a good cause. It hosted concerts to help rebuild the Nevill Ground's cricket pavilion. The original pavilion had been damaged in a fire.
Changes Over the Years
In 1931, the Opera House was bought by Union Cinemas. They changed it from an opera house into a cinema. People then went there to watch movies instead of live performances.
During the Second World War, the Opera House was hit by a bomb. Luckily, the bomb did not explode. Instead, it got stuck above the stage and caused a fire inside. The building had to be fixed up and reopened in 1949.
Later, in the 1960s, the building changed again. It became a bingo hall. This happened after there were talks about tearing it down. In November 1966, the Opera House was given its Grade II listed status. This protected it from being demolished.
Modern Use as a Pub
In 1996, a company called J D Wetherspoon bought the Opera House. They turned it into a public house, which is a type of pub. Even though it's a pub now, it still sometimes hosts opera.
In 2006, an opera called Tamerlano by Handel was performed there. More recently, a group called ‘The Merry Opera Company’ has performed there every year. They have put on shows like Troy Boy, La traviata, The Magic Flute, Kiss Me, Figaro!, and The Barber of Seville. In 2016, they performed La Boheme.
Design and Architecture
Building Style
The inside of the Opera House was designed in two main styles. These are Edwardian Baroque and Neo-Georgian. These styles are known for being grand and decorative.
The outside of the building has a special dome on the roof. This dome is in the Baroque style. Originally, there was a statue of Mercury on top of the dome. This statue was removed in the 1920s. It was taken down either because it wasn't stable in bad weather or because some local people had concerns about it.
Interior Features
In 1923, the main staircase was changed. An old 18th-century painting was added to it. This painting shows people having fun at a party. It adds to the historic feel of the building.
