Theatre Royal

A small provincial theatre that seemed to struggle to survive throughout its life. A brick building of nine bays with stone dressings and slated roof. It opened in 1841 as a simple hall with a shallow balcony at the rear and slips to either side of the proscenium arch. A central sunburner coped with lighting and ventilation. In the early twentieth century electricity was introduced. Despite its ups and downs some major companies - D’Oyly Carte among them - came to the Theatre Royal.

By the outbreak of the Great War two cinemas had opened and the centre of gravity of the town had shifted, leaving Adam Street in an unfashionable part. The theatre was often closed and in 1916 it was severely damaged in a gale. The theatre later became a public hall, a warehouse, then a garage and is now a builder’s store.

The balconies have been removed but their line on the walls can be seen and pilasters and plaster panels survive. The proscenium arch has been bricked up but at upper levels the wooden beam also survives. The stage area is now incorporated into a plumber’s shop and storeroom. The ceiling contains the extraction flue from the sunburner, a large circle shows a former decoration and the ceiling contains eight decorative plaster roses which may date from the post-1916 repairs. Used 1881-83 as a church. A house, probably for the manager/owner is just beyond the Cross Street doors. Stage access seems to have been in Chapel Street.

Given the remains extant (and if the opportunity presented itself), it might be possible to reconstruct this early theatre.