Theatre Royal, Norwich facts for kids
Façade of the Theatre Royal (Theatre St)
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| Address | Theatre St, Norwich, Norfolk Norwich United Kingdom |
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| Owner | Norwich Theatre |
| Type | Theatre |
| Capacity | Main: 1,308 Stage Two: 200 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1758 |
| Rebuilt | 1801 and 1935 |
| Architect | Tim Foster Architects |
| Website | |
| https://norwichtheatre.org/ | |
The Theatre Royal in Norwich, England, is a very old and famous theatre. It first opened its doors in 1758. Over the years, it has been rebuilt several times, including in 1801 and 1826. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire in 1934 and also damaged during World War Two.
From 1992 to 2016, Peter Wilson was in charge of the theatre. Today, Stephen Crocker leads the team that runs this historic venue.
Contents
Discovering the Theatre Royal's Past
The Theatre Royal was started in 1758 by a Norwich architect and investor named Thomas Ivory. He designed it to look like the famous Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. When it first opened, about 1,000 people could watch a show there.
In 1768, the theatre was given the special title "Theatre Royal." This meant it had the right to perform all kinds of plays. The building was rebuilt by William Wilkins in 1800 and again in 1826. In 1836, gas lighting replaced candles and oil lamps, making the theatre much brighter! Later, in 1894, the theatre closed for a few months for a big makeover designed by Frank Matcham.
Famous Faces on Stage
Because it was a "Theatre Royal," many famous actors of the time came to perform here. One of the most well-known was Sarah Siddons (1755–1831). She played big roles like Hamlet, Juliet, and Lady Macbeth. In January 1848, the amazing African American Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge also performed at the theatre.
In the 1900s, even more stars graced the stage. Actors like Cary Grant and Charlie Chaplin (who performed with Fred Karno) entertained audiences at the Theatre Royal.
Challenges and Comebacks
After its owner passed away in 1902, the theatre was sold. It was even called the "Hippodrome" for a year in 1903 before going back to "Theatre Royal" in 1904.
As mentioned, the building was destroyed by fire in 1934. A new theatre was built just over a year later. It also faced damage during World War Two. Over time, fewer people went to the theatre because movies and then television became popular. To keep going, the theatre started showing films, boxing matches, and even rock and roll concerts.
At one point, the theatre was in danger of closing. But the city council stepped in to help save it. In 1970, Dick Condon became the manager. After he passed away, Peter Wilson took over from 1992 to 2016. The theatre had a big update in 2007 to make it more modern and comfortable. Stephen Crocker, who used to work at The Lowry theatre, is now the Chief Executive.
See also
- Norwich Playhouse
- Norfolk and Norwich Festival
- Maddermarket Theatre
- Sewell Barn Theatre
