Theatre Royal, Wakefield facts for kids
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Theatre Royal and Opera House
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Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Wakefield
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 Theatre Royal Wakefield
Location in West Yorkshire
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| Address | Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE West Yorkshire England |
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| Coordinates | 53°40′56″N 1°30′10″W / 53.682087°N 1.502700°W |
| Owner | Wakefield Theatre Trust |
| Designation | Grade II* |
| Capacity | 499 seats |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1894 |
| Years active | 1894–1954, 1981 to present |
| Architect | Frank Matcham |
| Website | |
| www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk | |
The Theatre Royal Wakefield is a super old theatre in Wakefield, England. It first opened its doors way back in 1894! This theatre was originally known as the Theatre Royal and Opera House. But its history actually goes back even further, to the 1770s.
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Welcome to Theatre Royal Wakefield!
This amazing theatre is located right on the corner of Westgate and Drury Lane. It was designed in 1894 by a very famous theatre architect named Frank Matcham. He created the building as the Wakefield Opera House. It cost about £13,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The Theatre Royal Wakefield is the smallest theatre that Frank Matcham designed that is still standing today.
A Look Back in Time
From Theatre to Bingo and Back!
In the 1920s, theatres like the Theatre Royal had to compete with new places called cinemas. People loved watching films! Because of this, live shows were sometimes replaced by movies during the summer.
In 1954, the theatre sadly closed its doors. It became a cinema for a while. A few years later, it even turned into a bingo hall! But don't worry, the story has a happy ending. In 1981, the building reopened as the Wakefield Theatre Royal. This happened thanks to people like Sir Rodney Walker. Many city leaders and people who loved music and drama helped bring the theatre back to life.
What Happens at the Theatre Today?
Today, the Theatre Royal Wakefield does two main things. It's a "producing house," which means it creates its own shows. It's also a "receiving house," which means it hosts shows made by other groups.
In 2011, a British writer named John Godber joined the theatre. He became the Creative Director. Now, the theatre helps produce plays for The John Godber Company.
Helping Young Performers Shine
The Theatre Royal Wakefield also works a lot with young people. It has something called the Performance Academy. This academy teaches dance, music, and drama to kids aged 5 to 18. They have classes in both Wakefield and Pontefract. The theatre also runs a special group called Wakefield Youth Music Theatre. It's a great place for young people to learn and perform!
Keeping the Theatre Special
In 2012, the theatre asked for money from the Heritage Lottery Fund. They wanted £2.6 million for a big project. This money would help restore the theatre building. It would make sure this historic place stays beautiful for many more years to come.
