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Edinburgh Adelphi Theatre

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Venue Type & Location

Theatre

Overview

  • Address: Broughton Street, Edinburgh (next to St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral; junction of Broughton Street, York Place, Leith Street and Leith Walk.) Click here for map

  • Alternate Names: Jones & Parkers Circus (pre-1793), Corri's Rooms, The Pantheon, The Caledonian, Queen’s Theatre & Opera House, Theatre Royal (post-1859)

  • Capacity: The 1857 building held 1700 spectators. Information on the capacity of the previous performance spaces has yet to be found.

  • Performance Space Description: The Adelphi featured a proscenium stage, which James Dibdin claims (in Annals of the Edinburgh Stage) was not as large as that at the nearby Theatre Royal. Further research as to the specific characteristics of this performance space during the years covered by this database is still required.

  • Typical Fare: Between 1842 and 1852, an evening’s entertainment at the Adelphi would frequently consist of popular dramatic pieces (e.g. Baron Munchausen, The Last Ship, Oliver Twist) interspersed with performances by musicians and dancers. A detailed account of the performances and performers at the theatre throughout its history can be found in Annals of the Edinburgh Stage.

    • Performance History

  • The building which would house the Adelphi first opened in 1788 as a Circus. It was converted for theatrical use in 1793.

  • This first building was destroyed by fire in 1853. It was then re-opened in 1855, only to be completely re-designed and re-constructed as the Queen’s Theatre and Opera House in 1857.

  • In 1859, the patent previously held by the Theatre Royal, Shakespeare Street [which was being demolished] was transferred to the Queen’s, and it thereafter became known as the Theatre Royal.

  • In the succeeding decades, the theatre was destroyed by fire three times (in 1865, 1876 and 1884), but was restored after each incident. After yet another fire in 1946, it was never rebuilt.

    Please see the 'Bibliographic Sources' link at right for a complete listing of materials (both primary and secondary) from which the above information was compiled.

    Beth Marquis

    • Troupes at Edinburgh Adelphi Theatre

    Film Affiliated people Film Type # of event(s)
    Aldridge, Ira Aldridge, Ira Dramatic Definite Aldridge, Ira
    Bosjesmans Exhibition Definite Bosjesmans
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1849-50) Pell, Gilbert W. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1849-50)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1849-50) Juba, Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1849-50)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1849-50) Briggs, T.F. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1849-50)
    Saker Saker, Minstrel Definite Saker
    Sweeney, J.W. Sweeney, J.W. Minstrel Definite Sweeney, J.W.

    Events at Edinburgh Adelphi Theatre

    Event Date Venue Location Film
    Minstrel Show - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Saker
    Dramatic - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Ethiopian Serenaders (1849-50)
    Dramatic - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Ethiopian Serenaders (1849-50)
    Dramatic - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Ethiopian Serenaders (1849-50)
    Exhibition - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Bosjesmans
    Dramatic - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Sweeney, J.W.
    Dramatic - Edinburgh, Edinburgh Aldridge, Ira

    Bibliographic Sources

    View a list of abbreviations.

    • Edinburgh News September 1, 1849: 4: 4.
      Info in Record:
      • other (venue season)
    • Edinburgh News and Literary Chronicle September 1, 1849: 1: 1.
      Info in Record:
      • other performances at venue
      • other (venue season)
    • Edinburgh News and Literary Chronicle August 25, 1849: 1: 1.
      Info in Record:
      • additional performances at venue:
        (“This Present Evening, Saturday, August 25, 1849, Will be performed, The Lonely Man of the Ocean, or the Night Before the Bridal. After which, The Rival Dukes. To conclude with, Oliver Twist!!”)
    • (Under Edinburgh - Adelphi Theatre)
    • (Search 'Edinburgh Adelphi')
    • Edinburgh: R. Cameron, 1888