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Richmond Theatre

1315

Of outstanding importance as one of the most completely preserved Matcham theatres in Greater London and one of his most satisfying interiors. Symmetrical with red brick and terra cotta façade; twin towers with cupolas; Baroque centre piece with arched entrance below a scrolled pediment. The central terra cotta figure of Euterpe is identical with the one on the otherwise completely different façade of Hackney Empire. Comparison between the two theatres is, in fact, quite instructive. Hackney, a variety palace, built for Stoll, is architecturally extremely eclectic and highly assertive, inside and out. Richmond, built for a local theatre proprietor and aimed at a different kind of audience, is entertaining, but in a more restrained, almost respectable mood.

Mahogany main doors open into a small vestibule and then into a large foyer, both panelled in mahogany, with a painted ceiling in the latter. In the main entrance there is a plaster roundel of Edmund Kean, commemorating his association with an earlier Richmond Theatre.

Magnificent auditorium with rich plasterwork in ‘Elizabethan’ style; two balconies; marble proscenium arch with massive key panel; proscenium flanked by truncated columns covered with linenfold to produce an elaborately draped effect and carrying figures of Tragedy and Comedy; fine domed ceiling with relief plaster ornament of scenes from Shakespeare plays. At the back of the dress circle is a spacious promenade.

The 1990 renovations made major improvements front and back of house, all the visible new works being sympathetic and subordinate to Matcham’s own. The auditorium redecoration scheme (by Carl Toms) was not a restoration of Matcham’s but is harmonious and pleasing.

Built / Converted
1899
Dates of use
  • 1899 : continuing
Current state
Extant
Current use
Theatre
Address
The Green, London, Richmond, TW9 1QJ, England
Website-
Further details
Other names
The Richmond Theatre & Opera House , The Prince of Wales , The Richmond Hippodrome , Theatre Royal, Richmond , ‘The Theatre on the Green’ (popular name)
Events
  • 1899 Use: continuing
  • 1899 Design/Construction:
    Frank Matcham
    - Architect
  • 1899 Design/Construction:
    E Wingfield Bowles (London)
    - Consultant
    engineering
    Messrs Strode & Co (London)
    - Consultant
    electrical installations
    Hathern Station Terra-Cotta & Messrs Doulton of Lambeth
    - Consultant
    terra cotta
    Messrs Davey Paxman & Co
    - Consultant
    generator
  • 1899 Owner/Management: F C Mouflet (of Castle Assembly Rooms & Theatre); C E Hardy, manager
  • 1902 Owner/Management: George Dance, owner
  • 1915 Alteration: theatre refurbished
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1925 Owner/Management: J T Mears
  • 1935 Owner/Management: Arthur Rees
  • 1939 Owner/Management: Circle Theatres, owners; A B Brandreth, manager
  • 1946 Owner/Management: Alan Miles & Cedric Piffard, owners; Richmond Repertory Co, lessees
  • 1960 - 1969 Alteration: entrance canopy added
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1973 Owner/Management: Louis I Michaels
  • 1975 Alteration: foyer restored; gallery reseated as upper circle
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1981 Owner/Management: Louis I Michaels Ltd (after Louis Michaels’ death)
  • 1986 Owner/Management: Local London Group, owners
  • 1989 Owner/Management: Richmond Theatre Charitable Trust, lessees
  • 1990 Alteration: entrance canopy removed; complete restoration internally of original features and gilding; major improvements to facilities for disabled, bars, toilets and dressing rooms; creation of corporate entertainment suite; improved technical facilities
    Donald Armstrong
    - Architect
  • 1990 Design/Construction:
    Carl Toms
    - Consultant
    interior design
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    1500
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1912: c.1600
    1971: 975
    1986: 920
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    840
Listings
  • Listing
    II*
Stage type
-
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 9.1m (29ft 10in)
Proscenium width: 8.5m (27ft 11in)
Height to grid: 14m (46ft)
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: Flexible 10-12