Theatre Royal (Dumfries)

• Theatre ID
  2348
• Built / Converted
  1792
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  66-68 Shakespeare Street, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, DG1 2JH, Scotland
• Website
  • http://www.theatreroyaldumfries.co.uk

Details

The basic pitched-roofed shell of 1792 survives. Dignified two storey stucco façe by Phipps, with central doorway flanked by arched openings, which originally accessed the pit and balcony. Five small windows, divided by pilasters, under the eaves. In Phipps’s delightful auditorium of 1876, the pit was as basement level. This was decked over at dress circle height around 1920 and the balcony rebuilt with a straight front, re-using the foliated iron balustrade of Phipps’s dress circle. The side walls now are plain, except for some frames added in 1959. The former pit is now used to store costumes, props and scenery. Said to be the oldest surviving purpose-built theatre in Scotland.

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• Other names
  Electric Theatre
• Events
  • 1792 Design/Construction:
    • Thomas Boyd - Architect
  • 1876 Alteration: auditorium excavated and extended within existing walls; new front of house and façade added
    • C J Phipps - Architect
  • 1920 Alteration: auditorium partitioned horizontally - circle retained for cinema, stalls converted to roller skating rink
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1959 Alteration: renovated as amateur theatre
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1792 Owner/Management: Messrs Williamson and Sutherland
  • 1815 Owner/Management: John Macready
  • Owner/Management: Many actor-managers
  • 1909 Owner/Management: Dumfries Electric Theatre Co
  • 1959 Owner/Management: Dumfries Guild of Players
• Capacities
  • Current: 219
• Listings
  • Grade B - 11.7.1961
• Stage type
  • Flexible proscenium flat
• Dimensions
  • Proscenium width: 7.92m
  • Height to grid: 5.18m
  • Orchestra pit: for 10