Theatre Royal (Birmingham)

• Theatre ID
  855
• Built / Converted
  1893
• Dates of use
  • 1893 - 1925
• Current state
  Demolished
• Current use
  demolished
• Address
  Aston Road North, Birmingham, West Midlands, England

Details

The Theatre Royal, Aston Road, opened in 1893. The front elevation was described as ‘Grecian’ and the theatre as having been built ‘on the American plan’, with no upper or stage boxes and with all the best seats on a level with the stage. It had, apparently, only one divided balcony with amphitheatre stalls at the front. There was electric lighting throughout. Alterations in 1894 were said to have provided ‘a [more?] spacious balcony’. Six boxes were added. In 1895 and 1896 there were further alterations. A further tier, supposedly seating c.1000 was added above the existing, the work being done without closing the theatre. A substantial reconstruction took place in 1912. Balconies were rebuilt without supporting columns, the interior being reported as changed ‘beyond recognition’. Repertory ceased in 1925. The theatre was again gutted and given modern balconies, reopening as the Astoria Cinema in 1927. Converted to ATV studios in 1955, it was demolished in 1970.

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• Other names
  Astoria
• Events
  • 1893 - 1925 Use:
  • 1893 Design/Construction:
    • G H Ward (plans approved 1892) - Architect
  • 1894 Alteration: alterations; boxes added
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1895 Alteration: alterations including additional balcony
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1901 Alteration: reopened after redecoration; old chairs at front of orchestra stalls replaced by upholstered seats
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1912 Alteration: major reconstruction
    • Charles Hook Collett - Architect
  • 1927 Alteration: radical conversion to cinema
    • Satchwell & Roberts - Architect
  • 1955 Alteration: converted to ATV Studios
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1893 Design/Construction:
    • J T Wood & Northcote - Consultant: Stage
    • W S Todd (scenic artist) - Consultant: Decorations
  • 1895 Design/Construction:
    • Messrs Panicali (Moor St Birmingham) - Consultant: Ceiling Decorations
    • Arthur Westgate (resident scenic artist) - Consultant: Interior Decorations
  • 1893 Owner/Management: Robert Hall, proprietor and manager
  • 1894 - 1908 Owner/Management: Charles Barnard, lessee
  • 1929 Owner/Management: ABC
  • 1933 Owner/Management: Regent
  • 1955 Owner/Management: ATV
  • 1970 - 0 Demolition:
• Capacities
  • Original: nearly 2000 (The Stage)
  • Later: 1908: 2500 1927: 1194
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: d: 36ft w: 52ft
  • Proscenium width: 28ft