Palace (Gloucester)

• Theatre ID
  2045
• Built / Converted
  1791
• Dates of use
  • 1791 - 1922
• Current state
  Fragmental remains
• Current use
  demolished (Fragmental remains in Westgate Street, and in cellar of the Theatre Vaults Public House)
• Address
  Westgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England

Details

The Theatre Royal was opened in 1791 by John Boles Watson. No description found, but accommodation was probably pit, gallery and private boxes. Gas lighting was installed in 1835. In 1857 the theatre was acquired by John Blinkhorn, a railway contractor, who reconstructed it internally with two horseshoe-shaped balconies and a gallery supported by iron pillars. All decorated with ornate plasterwork; William Beverley painted the act-drop which depicted an Italian landscape. The stage facilities included a vampire trap and two star traps. Again rebuilt in 1897. Bought at auction by Poole (of Poole’s Diorama) in 1902, after which cinéariety, theatre and cinema were presented. The building was dismantled in 1922 but a doorway and a bust of Shakespeare remain in Westgate Street, and below ground level, a door in the Theatre Vaults Public House adjoining was the former pit entrance.

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• Other names
  Theatre Royal, Palace-Palace of Varieties, New Theatre & Opera House
• Events
  • 1791 - 1922 Use:
  • 1791 Owner/Management: John Boles Watson, succeeded by his son, JBW II, and grandson, JBW III, owners
  • 1791 Design/Construction:
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1799 Owner/Management: various lessees, including Hoy, Crisp
  • 1857 Alteration: rebuilt
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1857 Design/Construction:
    • William Beverley - Consultant: Act Drop
  • 1857 Owner/Management: John Blinkhorn, owner
  • 1888 Owner/Management: Messrs Dutton & Ireland
  • 1897 Alteration: rebuilt
    • J P Briggs - Architect
  • 1902 Owner/Management: C W & J R Poole (Poole’s Theatres Ltd)
• Capacities
  • Original: 800
  • Later: 1902: 1890 1908: 1200 1912: 1900
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Rake
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth 1902: 36ft ?: 32ft
  • Proscenium width: 1902: 34ft ?: 20ft