Royal Victoria Theatre (Stoke-on-Trent)

• Theatre ID
  1211
• Built / Converted
  1868
• Dates of use
  • 1868 - 1888
• Current state
  Demolished
• Current use
  demolished
• Address
  Berry Bank, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST3, England

Details

Opened 11 or 12 January 1868 at a cost of £2,000. The building was a brick and stone structure. The pit floor was raked; the gallery was behind the pit and beneath boxes 'to remove a source of annoyance'. Private boxes were carpeted and supplied with chairs. The ceiling was elliptical and embellished with allegorical scenes and a life size bust of Shakespeare, together with others of Handel, Purcell, Rowe, Fletcher, Johnson, Sheridan, Kemble, etc. Front circle of boxes was decorated with scenes from Shakespeare's plays. This balcony was semi-circular. Accommodation was described as pit stalls, pit, gallery, boxes, side boxes and private boxes, apparently on two levels only. It closed permanently as a theatre on the opening of the Queens. In 1949, the shell of the building was in use as a factory for making ceramic transfers when it caught fire. The salavaged bust of Shakespeare is reported to be retained in the new building.

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• Other names
  Royal & Opera House
• Events
  • 1868 - 1888 Use:
  • 1886 - 0 Alteration: new limelight tanks installed (architect unknown).
  • 1887 - 0 Alteration: new stage laid, another tier added, new exit to dress circle, grooves raised to 18ft (architect unknown).
  • 1868 Design/Construction:
    • Frank Briggs - Consultant: Interior Design
    • James Rigby - Architect
  • 1868 Owner/Management: M Wardhaugh, owner
  • 1887 Owner/Management: Wallace Revill, lessee and manager
  • 1888 Owner/Management: James Elphinstone Jr, lessee and manager
• Capacities
  • Original: 1800
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Dimensions
  • Building dimensions: 100ft x 51ft
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 32ft Width: 50ft