Royal Court (Liverpool)

• Theatre ID
  1924
• Built / Converted
  1938
• Dates of use
  • 1938 - 1997
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Music venue (Music venue with occasional theatre use)
• Address
  Roe Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1, England

Details

Built in 1938, designed in the modernistic style of the period after a fire destroyed an earlier building in 1933. On a corner site, the elevations are red brick with dressings of Aberdeen granite. Of four storeys with attic, the façe has a rectilinear pattern with horizontal banding in brick and fluted stone and vertical brick ribs with grouped pairs of windows on all levels. At attic level there is a fluted stone parapet. Rounded corner containing the main entrance and stairways. The entrance lobby with box office is paved with San Stefano marble bordered with green and black Issorie marble; the walls are panelled in walnut. Below is the basement lounge and bar - said to be a replica of the main lounge on the Queen Mary. A nautical theme runs through the design, in keeping with the traditions of the city. The curved staircase has a dado of panelled ash and a decorative balustrade. Originally all areas were lit with concealed lighting. The auditorium comprises stalls, grand circle and balcony and is richly decorated. The proscenium is gilded with delicate plaster ornament; coffered sounding board over a splayed ante-proscenium, containing a box at first floor level each side with its front extended to the circle by a curved bay. Shallow curved circle fronts. The ceiling is curved in a series of arches with concealed lighting. The stage with original revolve and flies remains. Used since c.1981 as a venue for rock concerts but recently also for touring productions by Royal National Theatre and others. Currently being refurbished.

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• Events
  • 1938 - 1997 Use:
  • 1938 Design/Construction:
    • James B Hutchins - Architect
  • 1972 Alteration: projection box built and films introduced
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1997 Alteration: major refurbishment
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1938 Design/Construction:
    • Cohen & Sons (London) - Consultant: Interior Decoration And Furnishings
  • Owner/Management: Robert Arthur Theatre Co, owners
  • Owner/Management: Howard & Wyndham Ltd, props, later owners
  • 1976 Owner/Management: Merseyside County Council, owners
  • Owner/Management: Royal Court Theatre & Arts Trust, lessees
  • 1980 Owner/Management: Douglas Entertainments Co, lessees
• Capacities
  • Original: 1612
  • Current: 1612
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Proscenium. Flat
• Dimensions
  • Building dimensions: 142ft (Roe Street) x 82ft (Great Charlotte Street)
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 1938: 45ft 1997: 12.18m Width 1938: 62ft 1997 SL: 9.45m SR: 12.5m
  • Proscenium width: 8.74m
  • Height to grid: 1997: 17.97m
  • Orchestra pit: Original 15-55. Area 30 sq m. 2.44 in front of stage