New Theatre Royal Lincoln

There was a theatre (the New Theatre) on the site in 1806, built over a former burial ground, which was destroyed by fire in 1892 and replaced by the present theatre in 1893. Delightful and intimate auditorium which is an important surviving example of late 19th century theatre design. Two slightly curved balconies with short slips to superimposed boxes flanking proscenium. Good Rococo plasterwork on balcony, box fronts and proscenium. Plain ceiling. The simple exterior dates from 1945. The theatre is constructed over two stories in brickwork, with ashlar and rendered frontage facing Clasketgate with an angled corner entrance. To the right, a late C19 shop front forms the box office. The left return has the original baroque revival style ashlar front, with a cornice and scroll brackets and a single pilaster. Formerly the theatre of a resident repertory company which planned first a new theatre and second a renovation of the existing building, before going bankrupt in the mid-1970s. Subsequently the theatre changed hands frequently before being relaunched as the New Theatre Royal in October 2016.