Interior of the Georgian Theatre Royal from the stage, Richmond, North Yorkshire
The Georgian Theatre Royal, Britain's oldest working theatre in its original form, is both a thriving community playhouse and a living theatre museum. The Georgian Theatre Royal is Britain's most complete Georgian playhouse. Built by the actor-manager Samuel Butler in 1788, the theatre was in regular use until 1830 when performances became less frequent. In 1848 it was let as an auction room. Wine vaults were constructed in the pit at about the same time. In 1960 a non-profit trust was incorporated, a public appeal launched and a restoration began. The theatre reopened in 1963. It is Grade I Listed 'as a building of special architectural or historical interest'. Behind the stage, a small theatre museum was expanded in 1996. The Theatre Royal is a typical eighteenth-century country playhouse, and keeps alive an important period of English theatre architecture. No other playhouse can offer such authenticity, and a few other theatres can offer such an intimacy. A capacity today of 214 places is arranged in rectangular form: sunken pit, boxes on three sides and a small gallery above. The furthest seat is only from the stage, whose proscenium width is with a depth of to the back wall. Performers and theatregoers are in the closest proximity in this enchanting 'courtyard' theatre, the proportions of which have been emulated many times worldwide in the late twentieth century
Size: 5120px × 3413px
Location: Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, North Yorkshire, England, UK
Photo credit: © will Perrett / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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