Theatre Royal

The theatre was designed by county architect William Parsons in stucco faced brick with fluted Ionic columns, later heavily painted. The rear elevation had a rusticated base and six pilasters crowned by a pediment that formed the gable end to the roof. The auditorium in 1836 was designed in the shape of a horseshoe with a pit, a first tier of boxes, open boxes at gallery level with gallery proper behind. It was remodelled in 1873 but remained an important theatre which made a vital contribution to the street scene with its splendid auditorium on three levels and a stage of considerable archaeological significance. Its demolition in 1958 and replacement with an office building was a serious loss.

Built / Converted
-
Dates of use
  • 1836 - 1957
Current state
Demolished
Current use
Demolished
Address
Horesefair Street, Leicester, Leicestershire, England
Website
The Theatre Royal Leicester 1836 – 1958
Further details
Other names
New
Events
  • 1827 - 1900 Owner/Management: Mrs Revill
  • 1835 Owner/Management: Monro, lessee & manager
  • 1836 Design/Construction:
    Samuel Beazley (possibly with William Parsons)
    - Architect
  • 1836 Design/Construction:
    C W Crace
    - Consultant
    interior decoration
  • 1836 - 1957 Use:
  • 1840 Owner/Management: Battie, lessee & manager
  • 1847 - 1853 Owner/Management: Chas Gill, lessee & manager
  • 1854 - 1861 Owner/Management: J Spencer Harris, lessee & manager
  • 1864 Owner/Management: Owen
  • 1868 Owner/Management: John Windley, lessee & manager
  • 1873 Owner/Management: Elliott Galer, lessee & manager
  • 1873 Alteration: stage boxes removed and replaced by concave wall; new dome and ceiling; improved sightlines to gallery; proscenium thrown back 3ft for additional seating; new dressing rooms added
    Elliott Galer
    - Architect
  • 1873 Design/Construction:
    Arthur H Swallow (London)
    - Consultant
    interior decoration
  • 1877 Owner/Management: E Clinton Hall, lessee & manager
  • 1881 Owner/Management: R W Key, lessee & manager
  • 1881 Alteration: new proscenium, stage lowered; four private boxes added
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1883 - 1884 Owner/Management: S Horner & J Horner,lessees & managers
  • 1885 - 1887 Owner/Management: Mrs E Kennion, lessee & manager
  • 1888 Alteration: new entrances and widened staircases; proscenium wall built upwards through roof, fire curtain installed, fly tower added, grid raised
    I Barradale
    - Architect
  • 1888 Design/Construction:
    Johnson (Leicester)
    - Consultant
    interior decoration
  • 1888 - 1897 Owner/Management: Wallace Revill, lessee & manager
  • 1900 Owner/Management: Winstanley
  • 1906 Owner/Management: Theatre Royal Co; Milton Bode & Edward Crofton, lessees
  • 1913 Alteration: four private boxes removed
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1921 Owner/Management: Milton Bode
  • 1934 Owner/Management: Prince Littler
  • 1946 Owner/Management: Opera House (Leicester) Ltd
  • 1947 Owner/Management: Samuel Locker, proprietor
  • 1958 Demolition: and replacement by offices for the Leicester Permanent Building Society
Capacities
  • Original
    450 pit, 350 boxes, 450-500 gallery
  • Later
    1908: 1500
    1946: 821
    1912: 1800
Listings
  • Not listed
    Was listed, local authority was allowed by the Minister to consent to demolition
Stage type
Proscenium flat
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: 1836 Depth: 41ft plus 7ft approx
1912 Depth: 50ft Width: 40ft
Proscenium width: 1836: 25ft 1912: 21ft
Height to grid: 1946: 52ft
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: 6

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