Theatre Royal, Gloucester facts for kids
The Theatre Royal in Gloucester was a very important theatre in the city's history. It was a place where many famous people performed, including the well-known writer Charles Dickens.
A Historic Stage in Gloucester
The Theatre Royal was built in 1791. A man named John Boles Watson was responsible for building it. It was located on upper Westgate Street in Gloucester. This theatre quickly became a popular spot for entertainment in the city.
Famous Performances and Owners
After John Boles Watson passed away in 1813, the theatre was sold in 1857 to a businessman named John Blinkhorn. Many exciting events happened at the Theatre Royal during its time.
One of the most famous moments was when Charles Dickens himself performed there! He acted out a scene from his famous book, The Pickwick Papers, and the theatre was completely full of people who came to watch him.
In 1891, the theatre celebrated its 100th birthday. To mark this special occasion, two very famous actors, Sir Henry Irving and Ellen Terry, performed on its stage. They were joined by other actors from the Lyceum Company, making it a truly memorable event.
From Theatre to Shop
The Theatre Royal continued to entertain audiences for many years. In 1902, it was sold again to Charles Poole. He decided to change the theatre into a different kind of entertainment venue. It became a place for "variety shows," which included different types of acts like music, comedy, and magic. It also became a "picture house," which means it started showing early movies. They even had special shows called Myrioramas, which were like moving paintings that told a story.
However, the Theatre Royal eventually closed its doors in the early 1920s. In 1922, a new building was put in its place: a Woolworths store. Today, the spot where the grand Theatre Royal once stood is now a discount store. Even though the building is gone, its history as an important part of Gloucester's entertainment scene lives on!
