Theatre Royal (Derby)

• Theatre ID
  124
• Built / Converted
  1773
• Dates of use
  • 1773 - 1864
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  disused
• Address
  Bold Lane, Derby, Derbyshire, England

Details

Converted from a former malthouse in 1773. The theatre declined in the face of competition from other entertainment houses and closed in 1864, reopening as a Gospel Hall in 1865, with an intermediate floor inserted. At this time the Green Room fireplace was said to be one of the last relics of the old theatre. Later became a magistrates court, but disused and shabby by 1992. The basic brick shell and pitched roof remain largely intact. The stuccoed façe of three wide bays and two storeys has been altered - the three arched entrances removed and replaced by a strip of plate glass windows, and the arched windows above have been lengthened downwards. Straight cornice and parapet. Although now much pulled about this is nevertheless a valuable surviving example of an eighteenth century playhouse.

---

Hide all images

See all images

---

Hide further details

• Other names
  became Gospel Hall
• Events
  • 1773 - 1864 Use:
  • 1773 Design/Construction:
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1821 Alteration: gas installed
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1773 Owner/Management: James Augustus Whitley (of Nottingham, Manchester & Stamford)
  • 1781 Owner/Management: Elizabeth Gosli Carrington (daughter of Whitley)
• Capacities
  • Original: 603
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Raked
• Dimensions
  • Proscenium width: 1821: 6.09m (20ft)