Theatre Royal (Dumfries)

• Theatre ID
  2348
• Built / Converted
  1792
• Dates of use
  • 1792 - 1909: then 1911-1954; and 1960 continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (amateur and receiving house)
• Address
  66-68 Shakespeare Street, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, DG1 2JH, Scotland
• Website
  • Guild of Players at the Theatre Royal

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.

---

Hide further details

• Other names
  Electric Theatre, New Theatre, Theatre Royal
• Events
  • 1792 Design/Construction:
    • Thomas Boyd - Architect
  • 1792 - 1909 Use: then 1911-1954; and 1960 continuing
  • 1792 Owner/Management: Messrs Williamson and Sutherland
  • 1815 Owner/Management: John Macready
  • 1816 - 1909 Owner/Management: Many actor-managers
  • 1830 Alteration: stage enlarged (architect unknown).
  • 1876 Alteration: auditorium excavated and extended within existing walls; new front of house and façade added.
    • C J Phipps - Architect
  • 1909 Owner/Management: Dumfries Electric Theatre Co (?); P & J Stobie, owners
  • 1920 Alteration: auditorium partitioned horizontally - circle retained for cinema, stalls converted to roller skating rink (architect unknown).
  • 1959 Owner/Management: Mr Reekie, owner/manager (from when, unknown).
  • 1959 Owner/Management: Dumfries Guild of Players
  • 1959 Alteration: auditorium returned to theatre from cinema use.
    • C Y Morton - Architect
  • 1985 Alteration: stage enlarged, and apron/orchestra pit added.
    • C Y Morton - Architect
• Capacities
  • Current: 219
  • Original: 500-600
  • Later: 1876: 1,000 1959: 219
• Listings
  • Grade B - 11.7.1961
• Stage type
  • Flexible proscenium, flat, with apron/orchestra pit
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: w: 7.92m d: 6.7m apron 0.91m wings 2.44m SR and 1.22m SL
  • Proscenium width: 7.92m h: 4.57m
  • Height to grid: 5.18m
  • Orchestra pit: for 10
• Latest news
  Planned works as at 2007 (LTG survey): 'Under the Theatre Royal Trust the theatre may be demolished and a new theatre built on the site.' [FB, Dec 08]