Theatre Royal, Norwich

The Theatre Royal is an art-deco theatre in Norwich, Norfolk, England. It celebrated its 250th anniversary on the 31st of January 2008 and is one of the country's oldest established theatres. Many well known acts have played here over the years, including Ching Lau Lauro, William Charles Macready, Charles Kean , Tom Thumb and his spouse (Mr and Mrs Stratton), Paganini, Donald Sinden, Bernard Cribbins and The Bolshoi Ballet. [1]

Theatre Royal, Norwich
Façade of the Theatre Royal (Theatre St)
AddressTheatre St, Norwich, Norfolk
Norwich
United Kingdom
TypeTheatre
CapacityMain: 1,308 Peter Wilson Studio: 200
ProductionVisiting productions | Receiving theatre
Construction
Opened1758
Rebuilt1801 and 1935
ArchitectTim Foster Architects
Website
https://norwichtheatre.org/

It hosts a large range of touring productions. The theatre had a £10m refurbishment in 2007, designed by Tim Foster Architects. [2]

In 2015, plans were launched for the new £15m Stage Two building under the direction of the then CEO Peter Wilson MBE. The new building was to house one of europe's most technically advanced arts education facilities, and a new 200 seat auditorium.

In 2016, it was announced that Peter was to depart the Theatre Royal, after 25 years at the helm. It was later announced that the new auditorium would be named the Peter Wilson Studio.

In mid 2016, Stephen Crocker, a former deputy CEO of The Lowry theatre was announced as the new Chief Executive.

In 2019, Norwich Theatre Royal was rebranded to become the Norwich Theatre group alongside Norwich Playhouse.

Shows

A traditional family pantomime is produced in-house annually for the Christmas season each year. The 2019 production of Cinderella starred Kara-Lianne Jones and Prince Charming (David Witts) as the love-struck young couple who will live happily ever after come the end of the show. Joining them on stage was the entertaining sister act - Alexa (Amanda Henderson) and Siri (Alix Dunmore) - who were good, bad and indeed ugly, as Cinders' sisters.[3]

In addition, it regularly attracts a host of touring theatre productions.

History

The second Theatre Royal (previous to the building pictured) was built in 1826. The theatre announced its opening.

NEW THEATRE ROYAL, Will Open on EASTER MONDAY, March 27th on which occasion the RECEIPTS will be given in AID the SUBSCRIPTION for the RELIEF the UNEMPLOYED POOR. Previous the Plan, GOD SAVE THE KING BY THE WHOLE COMPANY. After which Sheridan's Comedy THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. To conclude with the Musical Farce of YOUTH, LOVE, & FOLLY Or, The FEMALE JOCKEY. Norfolk Chronicle [4]

The popular magician Ching Lau Lauro received a bad review there, from the Norfolk Chronicle, in 1828.

Just over a year after the theatre burnt down its successor was revealed.

NORWICH THEATRE Worthy Successor to the “Old Royal" FIFTEEN months ago the century-old Theatre Royal at Norwich was destroyed by fire, and while the ruins were smouldering Jack Gladwin commissioned his architect to prepare the plans for a new theatre. From the ashes of the old theatre has arisen so palatial a building that the sentimental regrets at the passing of the old are more than balanced by the great advantages of the new. Exteriorly, the new theatre is a handsome structure and a notable addition to a city possessing many architectural features. It is loftier and of far greater proportions than the old building, and of much greater seating capacity. The frontage, which will be floodlit, has the appearance of pale grey marble. The interior decorative scheme very modern and very attractive, and enhanced by the soft glow from concealed lighting. The large stage is equipped with every modern improvement. All the latest scene-shifting machinery is installed, and the dressing-rooms are planned to accommodate large companies. Norwich can now put on the biggest shows on the road. It will be opened on Monday by the Lord Mayor of the city (Percy Jewson). The Era[5]

In 1894 the theatre was closed for several months in order to carry out a scheme of reconstruction and redecoration from the designs of Frank Matcham.[6]

The theatre owner's death in 1902 led to its auction.

The Theatre Royal, Norwich, was put up for sale by auction on Wednesday at the Royal Hotel. Among those present were Messrs Fred Morgan (lessee), W. G. R. Sprague, J. W. Nightingale, Colonels Hill and Wood, Messrs George Gilbert, John Rout, C. Burn Boswell, and Harry Howlett. The biddings started at £3,000 and ran up to £4,800, at which sum the property was withdrawn, the auctioneer remarking that there was not much difference in the amount offered and the reserve bid. Lot 2, Mr Morgan’s lease, was withdrawn. The Era [7]

In November Harry Lauder made his first visit to Norwich with his BIG VARIETY ROAD SHOW in 1935. [8]

George Barnes played The Grand Vizier to John Inman's Wishee Washee in Aladdin Christmas 1975. This was to be George's 33rd pantomime season. [9]

Television newsreader Helen McDermott landed a part as Helen the Sultana of Booberoomba - doubling as a tavern wench - in Dick Whittington and His Cat in January 2001.[10]

Mother Goose, the 2001 pantomime beat box office targets by £10,000.[11]

A Birthday profit for Norwich Theatre Royal in 2002 as it celebrated its tenth anniversary since reopening, with a profit of £76,000, more than twice the previous year's surplus. [12] The 2002 pantomime was Jack and the Beanstalk starring Rikki Jay. [13]

In January 2004 the theatre received a tax reimbursement of more than £1 million, making it the latest venue to benefit from new rules that entitled organisations to reclaim VAT on ticket sales. [14]

Vicki Carr played the title role in Sleeping Beauty in 2004.[15]

Jay appeared for his eighth consecutive year, the previous year's pantomime had grossed £627,000 with 98% of capacity is virtually unheard of elsewhere. This year was Peter Pan, with Derek Griffiths as Captain Hook , whilst Jay played Smee. [16]

The 2015 pantomime production starring Kevin Kennedy was one of the most financially successful pantomimes in the theatre’s history. A total of 60,996 tickets were sold for Peter Pan, beating the previous year’s sales of 60,063 for Cinderella.[17]

During the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic over half the theatre's staff were made redundant by the summer. [18]

See also

References
  1. "Theatre Royal". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  2. "A return to form". The Stage. 29 November 2007. p. 47.
  3. "Theatre Royal". www.edp24.co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  4. "New Theatre Royal". Norfolk Chronicle. 18 March 1826. p. 2.
  5. "Norwich Theatre". 25 September 1935. p. 22.
  6. "Theatre Royal". The Era. 22 September 1894. p. 11.
  7. "Theatre Royal". The Era. 27 September 1902. p. 11.
  8. "New Theatre Royal". Yarmouth Independent. 9 November 1935. p. 10.
  9. "Aladdin". www.edp24.co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  10. "Helen McDermott". The Stage. 18 January 2001. p. 10.
  11. "Mother Goose". The Stage. 7 February 2002. p. 4.
  12. "Birthday Profit". The Stage. 21 November 2002. p. 4.
  13. "Rikki Jay". The Stage. 13 June 2002. p. 10.
  14. "£1 million rebate". The Stage. 3 January 2004. p. 1.
  15. "Sleeping Beauty". The Stage. 16 December 2004. p. 23.
  16. "Jay Talking". The Stage. 8 December 2005. p. 8.
  17. "Peter Pan". Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  18. "Time is running out". www.edp24.co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2020.

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