Theatre Royal (Windsor)

• Theatre ID
  1016
• Built / Converted
  1902
• Dates of use
  • 1902: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (site in theatre use from 1815)
• Address
  Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1PS, England

Details

The original playhouse on this site, described as a ‘beautiful and elegant theatre’, was built in 1815. When it was finally destroyed by fire it had a capacity of 500 and was on three levels with an iron balcony. The replacement, on the site of the old theatre and adjoining pub, opened in 1902. It was designed by William Shipley, who was also the owner. Situated in the shadow of Windsor Castle, it has a tall, narrow, stone façe with big mullioned and transomed window. Frank Verity’s 1912 auditorium has one deep balcony and boxes on either side linking it to the proscenium which is flanked by engaged columns. The rear part of the stalls (the former pit) is raised up behind a curved parapet and has a good rake. French Neo-Classical style plasterwork on ceiling, proscenium etc. In 1965 Verity’s open ironwork balustrades to the balcony and boxes were replaced by solid fronts, ornamented with plasterwork in a style sympathetic with the remainder but perhaps to be regretted. Ironwork balustrades are rare generally in theatre architecture in Britain but a few appeared around this period: Verity’s own Scala Theatre, 1905 (demolished), Wimbledon Theatre, 1910, and the Opera House, Manchester, 1912.

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• Events
  • 1815 Design/Construction:
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1902 Use: continuing
  • 1902 Alteration: new theatre on site of old
    • Sir William Shipley - Architect
  • 1902 Owner/Management: William Shipley, owner
  • 1912 Alteration: interior reconstructed
    • F T Verity - Architect
  • 1920 - 1929 Owner/Management: Misses Shipley, owners
  • 1933 Owner/Management: John Counsell, lessee
  • 1934 Owner/Management: Windsor Playhouses, lessees
  • 1938 Owner/Management: Jack Gladwin, owner (succeeded by granddaughter Sally A Hoy); John Counsell, lessee, later Capoco Ltd (John Counsell, founder)
  • 1965 Design/Construction:
    • Carl Toms - Consultant: Redecoration
  • 1965 Alteration: iron balcony balustrade replaced by solid fronts
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1985 - 1986 Alteration: Array circle bar built; theatre redecorated and improved
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1986 Owner/Management: Windsor & Maidenhead Borough Council, owners; Windsor Theatre Co, lessees (Capoco Ltd)
  • 1990 Alteration: scenic design/painting/carpentry shops enlarged
    • Verity & Beverley - Architect
  • 1994 Alteration: theatre re-roofed and structural repairs undertaken; hospitality suite established
    • Unknown - Architect
• Capacities
  • Later: 1946: 642
  • Current: 633
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Rake
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 9.14m Width SL: 6.10m SR: 6.1m
  • Proscenium width: 8.53m
  • Height to grid: 15.85m
  • Orchestra pit: Enlarged