Grand Opera House (Belfast)

• Theatre ID
  1446
• Built / Converted
  1895
• Dates of use
  • 1895 - 1972: Dates of use
  • 1980 - 0: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT2 7HR, Northern Ireland

Details

Used as a cinema for many years then closed after bomb damage. Re-opened as a theatre in 1980 after undergoing a splendid scheme of renovation and restoration. The magnificent auditorium is probably the best surviving example in the UK of the Oriental style applied to theatre architecture - largely Indian in character with intricate detail on the sinuously curved fronts of the two balconies and an elaborate composition of superimposed boxes surmounted by turban-domed canopies. The ceiling, which is divided into several richly-framed painted panels that have been exquisitely recreated by artist Cherith McKinstry, is supported on arches above the gallery slips, with large elephant heads at springing level. Proscenium 12m (39ft 8in), stage depth 13.71m (45ft), grid increased to 18.28m (60ft) from 15.84m (52ft). Large, new orchestra pit, the sharp single radius curve of the orchestra rail providing the only slightly jarring note in this superb auditorium. The exterior, of brick and cast stone, is in a free mixture of Baroque, Flemish and Oriental styles - typical of Matcham’s earlier work. He made good use of the corner site by building up the composition of his design in stages, linked by strapwork scrolls, to the triangular-pedimented central gable which is flanked by domed minarets. The new projecting glass extension to the previously cramped first floor bar is quite in the spirit of Matcham’s architecture (cf Theatre Royal, Portsmouth). In 1982 it was made complete by the addition of the visually important column supports. In 1991 and 1993 the theatre was damaged by terrorist bombs. This necessitated considerable rebuilding of the Glengall Street dressing room block, stage door and get in. Fortunately the auditorium suffered only superficial damage. Now a touring theatre and Ulster’s only venue for major opera and dance companies.

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• Other names
  Palace of Varieties
• Events
  • 1895 Design/Construction:
    • Frank Matcham - Architect
  • 1913 Alteration: cast iron and glass canopy extended
    • Mugrave’s Foundry - Architect
  • 1914 Alteration: dressing rooms extended
    • J St J Phillips - Architect
  • 1932 Alteration: seating and furnishings improved
    • Samuel Stevenson - Architect
  • 1950 Alteration: dress circle, bar and entrance remodelled
    • Henry Lynch Robinson - Architect
  • 1961 Alteration: converted to cinema
    • J McB Neill - Architect
  • 1980 Alteration: completely restored and upgraded
    • Robert McKinstry & Melvyn Brown - Architect
  • 1991 Alteration: & bomb damage repaired
    • Robinson & McIlwaine - Architect
  • 1975 - 1980 Design/Construction: Array
    • John Wyckham Associates - Consultant: Theatre
  • 1980 Design/Construction:
    • Robert McKinstry - Consultant: Design
    • George Nichol - Consultant: Plaster Mouldings
    • John Hamilton Ltd - Consultant: Painting
  • 1895 - 1949 Owner/Management: J F Warden Ltd (owner of Theatre Royal, Belfast)
  • 1949 - 1961 Owner/Management: George F Lodge (Ulster Cinematograph Theatres)
  • 1961 - 1972 Owner/Management: Rank Odeon
  • 1976 - 1992 Owner/Management: Arts Council of Northern Ireland
  • 1992 Owner/Management: Opera House Trust
  • 1895 - 1972 Use: Dates of use
  • 1980 - 0 Use: continuing
• Capacities
  • Original: 2500
  • Current: 1001
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Proscenium raked 1:20 with forestage lift
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 13.7m Width SL: 3.4m SR: 3.4m
  • Proscenium width: 12.1m
  • Height to grid: 18.3m
  • Inside proscenium: 13.7m
  • Orchestra pit: Flexible