Theatre Royal, Bath

Coordinates: 51°22′56″N 2°21′46″W / 51.3821°N 2.3629°W / 51.3821; -2.3629
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Theatre Royal
The entrance from Sawclose which was added in 1863
Theatre Royal is located in Somerset
Theatre Royal
Theatre Royal
Shown within Somerset
AddressSawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET
Bath
England
Coordinates51°22′56″N 2°21′46″W / 51.3821°N 2.3629°W / 51.3821; -2.3629
DesignationListed Building Grade II*
TypeProvincial
Capacity888
Construction
Opened1805
Rebuilt1863
ArchitectJohn Palmer,
George Dance
Website
www.theatreroyal.org.uk

The Theatre Royal in Bath, England, was built in 1805. A Grade II* listed building, it has been described by the Theatres Trust as "One of the most important surviving examples of Georgian theatre architecture".[1] It has a capacity for an audience of around 900.

The Theatre Royal was built to replace the

Mrs. Patrick Campbell, the theatre was rarely very profitable. During World War II Donald Wolfit, Irene Vanbrugh, John Gielgud and Sybil Thorndike appeared, with shows including Noël Coward's Private Lives and Blithe Spirit, a performance by Ballet Rambert and light entertainment such as Charley's Aunt
, but audiences declined.

In 1979 the theatre was bought by a trust and, following public donations, it underwent refurbishment, with the rebuilding of the stage and the installation of a new taller fly tower for scenery and lighting. In 1997 a new 120-seat theatre, known as the Ustinov Studio, was opened. Further restoration work to the main auditorium was needed in 2010. In 2005 a children's theatre known as The Egg was opened. The complex also includes bars and The Garrick’s Head pub. [2]

History

The original entrance from Beauford Square. The fly tower which was added in 1980 can be seen above the façade.

Construction

The theatre was erected in 1805, replacing the

George IV, and his brother Prince Frederick among the subscribers.[6] A similar scheme had previously been used for the construction of the Bath Assembly Rooms.[7]

The exterior of the building, with arches, pilasters, garlands and ornaments, which is visible from Beauford Square, was designed by George Dance the Younger who also designed the decorative sections of the interior. The main fabric of the building was by John Palmer, who supervised the construction.[8][9] The ceiling was decorated with panels from Fonthill Splendens, a mile from Fonthill Abbey,[10] which were painted by Andrea Casali and donated to the theatre by Paul Cobb Methuen.[11] Because of the potential damage from the gas lights, which were installed in 1827, the paintings were moved by William Blathwayt to Dyrham Park.[12][13][14]

The opening night was on 12 October 1805 was a production of Richard III, with an unknown actor in the lead. Though not a success, the theatre soon established a good reputation and thrived under the management of William Wyatt Dimond. Early performances included appearances by the child actors Master Betty and Clara Fisher, with adult leads from prominent actors on the London stage including Dorothea Jordan, William Macready and Edmund Kean. In addition to Shakespeare and other serious drama, the productions included opera and comedy with Joseph Grimaldi playing the clown in a pantomime of Mother Goose in November 1815.[15]

Illustrated London News

Between the 1810s and 1850s there were a series of changes in ownership and management. These coincided with a Puritan revival and a fall in Bath's popularity; reductions in receipts were compounded by rising payments for actors from London. As a result, the theatre underwent financial crises and fell into a period of decline. Fortunes began to improve when James Henry Chute, who was the manager of the Bath Assembly Rooms and the son-in-law of the owner Mrs Macready,[16] took over as the manager of the theatre and once again audiences began to rise.[17]

Fire and rebuilding

On 18 April 1862 a major fire destroyed the interior of the building including the stage, scenery, wardrobe and library, leaving just the exterior walls still standing.

Wood citing its "profuse ornament" which was typical of a mason rather than an architect.[24] Chute remained as manager and employed Charles Kean and Ellen Terry to play in A Midsummer Night's Dream on the opening night, 3 March 1863.[25][26]

Initially the reopened theatre struggled to become profitable despite appearances by Henry Irving among others. In 1885 William Lewis took over as the lessee and was followed, in 1892, by his son Egbert Lewis. They redecorated the theatre in 1892 and attracted larger regular audiences to performances of melodrama and comedy while starting to put on Gilbert and Sullivan operas and other attractions.[27]

20th century

In 1902 the theatre closed for nine months to enable extensive building work to be carried out in accordance with the terms of the Royal Charter. This involved a new staircase, the installation of electric lighting, a new fire curtain and hot water radiators throughout the auditorium. In 1905, on the anniversary of the opening of the Theatre Royal, numerous William Shakespeare's plays were performed by the company of actors led by Frank Benson.[28]

In 1914 the theatre impresario Arthur Carlton, from

Haymarket Theatre in London.[31]

In March 1979, the dilapidated theatre was purchased by a trust headed by

Lombard North Central with guarantees from local councils. The theatre reopened on 30 November 1982 with a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, featuring a cast from the National Theatre led by Paul Scofield. The event was attended by Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.[34]

2010 refurbishment

The theatre in 2015

In October 2009, the '2010 Refurbishment Appeal' was launched by

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Royal Patron of the Theatre Royal Bath, to raise money for a programme of work to preserve the 200-year-old building, while ensuring that it remained suitable for 21st-century audiences.[35]
The £3million refurbishment, the most extensive programme of work since the theatre had been saved from virtual collapse by Fry almost 30 years before, included an expanded foyer, improved lift and disabled access to the stalls and royal circle levels,[36] complete refurbishment of the bars and the creation of The Jeremy Fry Bar, in the former cellars of The Garrick's Head pub, and redecoration of the auditorium.[37] Technical improvements included the rebuilding of the Main House stage, and an extensive rewiring and lighting programme around the entire building, with new fire alarm systems, air-conditioning and lighting, all designed to improve the building's efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint by some 30%.[38] The design was by architects of the Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios, and the construction firm Midas was contracted to complete the building work.[39]

A successful campaign, led by writer and novelist Bel Mooney, who had been instrumental in previous fund-raising campaigns for the Theatre Royal Bath, saw almost a third of the money raised through donations and sponsorship,[38] enabling work to begin away from public areas in March 2010. The theatre's Main House was closed in July 2010, to allow the work on the foyer, bars and auditorium to be completed.

The official re-opening took place on Wednesday, 8 September 2010, just ten and a half months after the original campaign was launched, with the building work being completed on schedule. The ceremonial re-opening was performed on-stage by actors Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles,[40] who were starring in the Theatre Royal's own production of The Rivals, Richard Brinsley Sheridan's classic Restoration comedy, set in and around 18th-century Bath. In 2011, the theatre won a British Construction Industry Award Conservation Award.[41]

The theatre itself is said to be haunted by several ghosts including the Grey Lady, who was an actress centuries ago. She has been seen watching productions in the Grey Lady Box, and she leaves the distinctive scent of jasmine. She has purportedly been seen and scented in recent years.[42][43]

Architecture and features

The Garrick's Head on St John's Close

The theatre, along with the neighbouring Garrick's Head public house, is a

balustraded parapet. Above the door is a bust of David Garrick, which was made in 1831 by Lucius Gahagan. The Beauford Square side of the building, originally designed by George Dance the Younger, is of five bays with pilasters carrying a frieze of comic and tragic muses.[22] The central door was the main entrance for the pit and galleries.[46] The east front, now the main entrance which opens onto Sawclose, was altered from a plain six-bay entrance by the addition of the round-arched foyer hiding four of the original bays. The 900-seat auditorium has tiers of ornate plasterwork, with red and gilt decoration, and a trompe-l'œil ceiling and glittering chandelier. It has three galleries in a horseshoe plan, supported by cast iron pillars.[22][47]

In 2017 the Sawclose area between the current Theatre Royal main entrance and the former Bluecoat School was made into a pedestrian-friendly shared space area for pedestrians, cyclists and cars.[48]

Ustinov Studio

Frontage of the Ustinov Studio

In 1997, a studio theatre was built at the rear of the building on Monmouth Street, called the Ustinov Studio, named after the actor Peter Ustinov.[49] The front of the building is decorated with a bronze winged figure which was designed by his son, Igor Ustinov, entitled Hopefully.[46] The 150-seat auditorium was originally a space for the youth theatre and small-scale touring productions, but the Ustinov programme soon expanded to encompass classical concerts, stand-up comedy (including high-profile acts such as Bill Bailey, Stewart Lee and Lucy Porter) and in-house productions. To accommodate the technical needs of these productions, a refurbishment was planned to take place throughout 2007, improving the backstage & technical facilities, the foyer, bar and auditorium. The Ustinov Studio re-opened in February 2008, with their own production of Breakfast With Mugabe, starring Joseph Marcell, Miles Anderson and Nicholas Bailey.[50]

In 2011,

Tony Awards.[51][52] The Ustinov Studio was also nominated for the prestigious Empty Space ... Peter Brook Award 2012.[53] The Daily Telegraph's Dominic Cavendish praised the venue as a "constantly bubbling fount of marvels" at the awards ceremony. The Ustinov also received a second consecutive nomination for the 2013 awards.[54]

In Autumn 2013, the Ustinov presented The Spanish Golden Age Season, three new translations of rarely seen plays. These included the tragedy

A Lady of Little Sense, which ran in repertory with a cast of ten actors in all three plays between September and December 2013. It was later transferred to the Arcola Theatre.[55]

In Summer 2014, the Ustinov Studio presented a new comedy, '

Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Play at the 2016 Awards Ceremony.[58]

In January 2020, theatre and opera director Deborah Warner, was appointed Artistic Director of the Ustinov Studio. Her inaugural season in 2022 included highly successful productions of Shakespeare’s The Tempest; Benjamin Britten’s Phaedra; Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas; Kim Brandstrup’s new dance piece Minotaur and Dickie Beau's inventive Showmanism. 2023 sees an equally exciting and eclectic line up of productions. The season begins with THEATRE and a new production of Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal from director Richard Jones. OPERA follows with Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw directed by rising star Isabelle Kettle. Kim Brandstup’s Minotaur returns in a DANCE double bill with a brand new work featuring ballet stars Matthew Ball, Alina Cojocaru, Kristen McNally and Tommy Franzen. The season continues with a yet to be announced new project conceived and directed by Deborah Warner. Finally, a new RECITAL strand is introduced which brings some of the most important names in classical music including internationally renowned tenor Ian Bostridge, leading mezzo-soprano Christine Rice, acclaimed lyric soprano Sophie Bevan and master pianist Julius Drake.

The Egg

The front doors of The Egg

In 2005 another new theatre was opened behind the Theatre Royal, The Egg, which provides professional theatre productions for children and their families, alongside workshops and youth theatre productions.[59] It includes a cafe, which is also the venue for children's and family events, and occasional teenage arts events.

Performances

Alongside the weekly touring productions which make up most of its programme, the Theatre Royal hosts a Summer Season, curated by

Peter Hall Company Season, which was held from 2003 until 2011.[60] Many plays start at the Theatre Royal before their official opening in London.[61]

References

  1. ^ "Theatre Royal (ii) (Bath)". Theatres Trust. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Home". www.theatreroyal.org.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  3. ^ "History". Theatre Royal. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  4. ^ Lowndes 1982, p. 22.
  5. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 33–34.
  6. ^ Lowndes 1982, p. 35.
  7. ^ Knowles, Rachel. "The Upper Assembly Rooms, Bath". Regency History. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  8. ^ Gadd 1971, p. 144.
  9. ^ Lowndes 1982, p. 36.
  10. ^ "Theatre Royal (ii) (Bath)". Theatre Trust. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  11. ^ Harris 2007, p. 17.
  12. ^ Lowndes 1982, p. 37.
  13. ^ "Immortality presiding over the Arts". National Trust. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  14. ^ "The Personification of History Writing on the Back of Time". Art UK. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  15. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 37–43.
  16. ^ Swindells & Taylor 2014, p. 579.
  17. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 44–49.
  18. ^ "Destruction of Bath Theatre". Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette. 24 April 1862. Retrieved 18 October 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 50–54.
  20. ^ "1805–2012". Theatre Royal. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  21. ^ Haddon 1982, p. 62.
  22. ^ a b c d Historic England. "Theatre Royal and former Garrick's Head Public House (1394864)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ^ Historic England. "Theatre Royal (204579)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  24. ^ "Bath — Beau Nash's Houses". Astoft. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  25. ^ Marshall 2012, p. 180.
  26. ^ "Ellen Terry (1847–1928)". Stage Beauty. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  27. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 55–62.
  28. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 62–65.
  29. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 66–68.
  30. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 69–73.
  31. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 74–75.
  32. ^ "Jeremy Fry". The Telegraph. 20 July 2005. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  33. ^ "Jeremy Fry: Obituary". The Independent. 27 July 2005. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. In 1980
  34. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 76–82.
  35. ^ "Royal launch for theatre appeal". Bath Chronicle. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  36. ^ "Theatre Royal Bath to be revamped". The Stage. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  37. ^ "Bath Theatre Royal to reopen following £3 m upgrade". BBC. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  38. ^ a b "Refurbishment plans move a step closer as Midas is contracted to work on Bath's historic theatre". Theatre Royal. Retrieved 12 November 2010.[permanent dead link]
  39. ^ "Midas wins refurbishment £2 m contract for Bath's historic theatre". Midas. Archived from the original on 21 April 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  40. ^ "Theatre Royal main house shuts for £3 m facelift". Bath Chronicle. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  41. ^ "Winners 2011". bciawards.org.uk. 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  42. ^ "The Grey Lady". Theatre Royal. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  43. ^ Lowndes 1982, pp. 83–84.
  44. ^ "Garrick's Head Public House & Theatre Royal". Images of England. English Heritage. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  45. ^ Srivastava, Swapnil. "Georgian Architecture". Buzzle. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  46. ^ a b Forsyth 2003, pp. 257–258.
  47. ISBN 9781135806132
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  48. ^ Crawley, James (19 May 2017). "£2 million Saw Close development will last nine months and bring road closures". Bath Chronicle. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  49. ^ "Theatre Royal (ii) (Bath)". The Theatres Trust. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  50. ^ "Mugabe Heads to Bath". British Theatre Guide. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  51. ^ "In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play". London Theatre. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  52. ^ Champion, Lindsay. "Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play) Slated For West End Transfer". Theatre.com. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  53. ^ "Finborough wins 2012 Peter Brook Empty Space Award". Whats On Stage. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  54. ^ "Double award nomination for the Ustinov Studio". Theatre Bath. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  55. ^ "Spanish Golden Age Season". Arcola Theatre. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  56. ^ "Bad Jews". Theatre Royal. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  57. ^ Cavendish, Dominic (2 November 2014). "The Father, Theatre Royal Bath, review: 'losing the plot is the point'". Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  58. ^ Marshall, Charlotte. "Kenneth Cranham Wins Best Actor Olivier". Official London Theatre. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  59. ^ "Theatre Royal Bath". Bath Festival. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  60. ^ Shuttleworth, Ian (18 July 2009). "The Peter Hall Company at Theatre Royal Bath". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  61. ^ "Bath Opens Rivals & Master Class Pre-West End". Whats On Stage. Retrieved 5 May 2011.

Bibliography

External links

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