Theatre Royal

Delightfully intimate auditorium with two well-curved balconies of six rows each, terminating in boxes linked vertically by superimposed columns. Rectangular proscenium with a curved sounding-board above and a domed ceiling. Richly modelled Baroque plasterwork.

Although very successful theatrically the auditorium lacks the sophistication of Emden’s metropolitan interiors at the Duke of York's and the Garrick to a degree that cannot entirely be put down to comparative lack of funds. It may be that the local architect, Crawshaw, was rather free in his interpretation of Emden’s intentions. Good three-storeyed, five-bay stone facade. Rusticated, arched entrance doors and pedimented first floor windows. Triangular pediment over the three central bays with ‘Theatre Royal’ carved on a scroll in the tympanum.

The overall layout of the building is similar to Emden’s Duke of York’s Theatre, London. Notable similarities include a separate dressing room block, attached to the stage tower by a service staircase, yet nevertheless an independent structure. Also the domed ceilings of the auditorium are set tightly into a small pitched roof structure, providing little or no loft access above.

The damage caused by the fire in 1942 removed the decorative fibrous plasterwork from all the box fronts, and the timber panelling around the proscenium may also date from this time. The original decorative work was carried out by Jonas Binns & Son of Halifax. This has now been virtually obliterated by many decoration schemes, and latterly a repaint for the film ‘You’re a good man, Bert Rigby’ which was shot in the theatre. Originally the auditorium ceiling contained Italian figure paintings representing Comedy, Tragedy, Music and Drama in four main panels, and in the other four panels Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter with floral and other decorations in harmony with the subjects. The central ventilation grille in the ceiling still contains the remains of a sunburner (identical to the one at the Buxton Opera House), which has had a primitive electrolier inserted.

There is virtually nothing left of the 1898 stage. It was completely reconstructed in 1942 and is framed of concrete and laid with timber. The reinforced concrete is now badly corroded and would have to be replaced prior to any re-use. A single concrete fly floor is positioned on either side of the stage. The grid is constructed of steel channel and is probably reusable. The safety curtain, also dating from 1942, is a single piece rigid asbestos clad curtain with two counterweight cradles diverted onto the rear wall of the stage. The get-in door is located stage right, with a small scene dock area before the stage proper.

Access from the small foyer to the stalls, located below street level, is by a staircase terminating externally on the stage left side of the building effectively down an alley-way. At the end of this alley was/is the stage door entrance providing direct access to the dressing room block.

One of Britain’s most important surviving medium-sized theatres which are no longer in use as such. Restoration is highly feasible and would give back to Barnsley and its neighbourhood a Lyric theatre.