Everyman (Cheltenham)

• Theatre ID
  1747
• Built / Converted
  1891
• Dates of use
  • 1891: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Regent Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1HQ, England

Details

Believed to be the oldest surviving complete Frank Matcham theatre. Opened as the New Theatre and Opera House; renamed Everyman in 1960. Very low key painted brick façe, merely part of the frontage of a very minor street and altered to its architectural disadvantage. Excellent intimate auditorium similar in scale and character to Matcham’s Lyric Hammersmith. Two slightly curved balconies of seven rows each, the upper one subdivided by a raised parapet to form a small gallery. Both balconies continue as slips along the side walls to meet large boxes, one either side of the proscenium, with splendid Rococo canopies carried on slender turned colonettes. Semi-circular arched proscenium as at Hammersmith and Blackpool, but without their Rococo valences. Beautiful saucer-domed ceiling with eight painted panels in rich Rococo frames, encirled by a flat border with smaller oval paintings. The stage house is entirely new (i.e. post-1960). Modern alterations to front of house are not as sympathetic as might have been wished for in such a fine Matcham house, and neighbouring developments were not used as an opportunity to improve access to the stage house. The theatre is owned by the local authority.

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• Other names
  New Theatre and Opera House
• Events
  • 1891 Use: continuing
  • 1891 Design/Construction:
    • Frank Matcham - Architect
  • 1960 Alteration: minor works front of house
    • Derek Whitestone - Architect
  • 1984 - 1986 Alteration: Array new stagehouse; front of house renovated
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1995 Alteration: front of house improved
    • Christopher Richardson - Architect
  • 1891 Design/Construction:
  • 1956 Owner/Management: Purchased by Corporation for £23,661
  • 1995 Owner/Management: Cheltenham Borough Council, owners; Gloucestershire Everyman Theatre Co Ltd, lessees
• Capacities
  • Later: 1946: 800 1971: 705 1980: 679
  • Current: 658
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Pros rake
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 35ft (10.6m) Width SL: 7.31m SR: 7.31m
  • Proscenium width: 24ft 6in (7.49m)
  • Height to grid: 45ft (13.11m)