Theatre Royal (Workington)

• Theatre ID
  2017
• Built / Converted
  1866
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (amateur theatre)
• Address
  Washington Street, Workington, Cumbria, England

Details

Of the original building all that now remains is the basic structural shell and the stage. The 1866 auditorium had a horseshoe balcony with arms to the proscenium and a gallery above. In 1912 the balconies and side arms were removed and a single balcony constructed with ten straight rows. Completely plain side walls and ceiling. In overall form the auditorium is long and narrow. The rear seats of the balcony appear particularly remote from the stage, although the actual distance is not great. The proscenium was also redesigned in 1912 as a rectangular moulded frame with a central cartouche. The condition is mostly good but some damp patches appear on the right hand wall, and it is in need of a new roof. The colour scheme is dark green, white and gold. The narrow stuccoed façe forms part of the general street frontage and in overall appearance and detail dates from 1912 - three storeys of unequally disposed windows under a steep pedimented gable. Closed as a cinema in 1932, as it never converted to sound; it has been an amateur theatre since 1935. A restrictive covenant (originally to protect the Opera House) prevents the theatre from being hired out.

---

Hide further details

• Events
  • 1866 Design/Construction:
    • George J. Smith - Architect
  • 1879 - 1888 Alteration: Array altered
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1912 Alteration: reconstructed as cinema
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1976 Alteration: dressing rooms and workshops added
    • Unknown - Architect
• Capacities
  • Later: 1948: 450
  • Current: 249
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium Flat
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 6.8m Width: 9.3m
  • Proscenium width: 6.3m
  • Height to grid: 7m