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Theatre Royal, Brighton

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Venue Type & Location

Theatre

Overview

  • Address: New Road, Brighton. For a current map, Click here.

  • Capacity: In 1946, the Theatre Royal had a capacity of 1103, while in 2003 it held 966 spectators. The capacity of the original house has not yet been found.

  • Performance Space Description: While there are many extensive descriptions of the theatre in its later incarnations (see, for example, The Theatres Trust Site), little information has yet been located about the space between 1842 and 1852. In the summer of 1848, however, the Brighton Herald did offer the following brief description of the space upon its reopening for the summer season: “The ceiling and front of the boxes have been painted of a light straw colour, with designs very beautifully executed from Wattreau. The stage boxes have been newly papered, and the whole of them either papered or newly painted” (July 22, 1848).

  • Typical Fare: Between 1842 and 1852, the Theatre Royal hosted all manner of dramatic entertainments, from travesties and melodramas to productions of Shakespeare and of other ‘legitimate’ works. Ballets, operettas, concerts, dancing, magic shows and minstrel performances could also often be found on bills.

    • Performance History

  • According to the Theatre’s website, the original Theatre Royal building was constructed in a brief 10 months during 1806-7. It was officially opened to the public with a production of Hamlet (starring Charles Kemble) on June 27, 1807.

  • It struggled somewhat throughout the early 19th C., and (again, according to the Theatre’s official website), “the risk of financial ruin [was] never very far away”. (Website).

  • The theatre’s fortunes improved when the management was taken over by Henry John Nye Chart in 1854. A major renovation, wherein the auditorium, stage and façade were all altered followed shortly thereafter (in 1866). C.J. Phipps was the architect.

  • While undergoing several more renovations (including major alterations in 1894 and 1927), the theatre has survived up to the present day. It is still in theatrical use.

    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.

    Additional information can be found in the following source (not yet accessed):

    Dale, Antony. The Theatre Royal, Brighton. Stocksfield: Oriel Press, 1980.

    Beth Marquis

    • Troupes at Theatre Royal, Brighton

    Film Affiliated people Film Type # of event(s)
    Aldridge, Ira Aldridge, Ira Dramatic Definite Aldridge, Ira
    Brooke, G.V. Brooke, G.V. Dramatic Definite Brooke, G.V.
    Cobham Dramatic Definite Cobham
    Elton Dramatic Definite Elton
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846) Leicester, T. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846) Jerome, R. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846) Blewet, F. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846) Pelham, Richard W. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846) Roberts, B. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846) Sandford, W. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847) Lyon, R. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847) Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847) Orford, W. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847) Williamson, W.J. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847)
    Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847) Pelham, Richard W. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847)
    Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47) Roberts, B. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47) May, Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47) Sherwood, Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47) Daniels, Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47) Fortescue, Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47) Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Female American Serenaders Rosa, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Yarico, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Hodson, G.A. Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Jumba, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Miami, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Cora, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Womba, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Woski, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Forrest Forrest, Edwin Dramatic Definite Forrest
    Foulah Slave Troupe (Brighton, 47) Dramatic Definite Foulah Slave Troupe (Brighton, 47)
    Graham, R.E. Graham, R.E. Dramatic Definite Graham, R.E.
    Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 46-7) Dramatic Definite Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 46-7)
    Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 52) Dramatic Definite Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 52)
    Lantum Serenaders Laurain, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Lantum Serenaders Dryce, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Lantum Serenaders Marley, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Lantum Serenaders Stainer, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Lantum Serenaders Adwin, Minstrel Definite Lantum Serenaders
    Mary Blane Troupe (Brighton, 47) Dramatic Definite Mary Blane Troupe (Brighton, 47)
    Othello by Act of Parliament Troupe (Brighton, 42) Dramatic Definite Othello by Act of Parliament Troupe (Brighton, 42)
    Othello Troupe (Brighton, 45) Dramatic Definite Othello Troupe (Brighton, 45)
    Othello Troupe (Brighton, 50) Dramatic Definite Othello Troupe (Brighton, 50)
    Phelps Phelps, Dramatic Definite Phelps
    Phillips, Henry Phillips, Henry Vocal Entertainment Definite Phillips, Henry
    Slave Troupe (Brighton, 44) Dramatic Definite Slave Troupe (Brighton, 44)
    Slave Troupe (Brighton, 47) Dramatic Definite Slave Troupe (Brighton, 47)
    Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Brighton, 52) Bellair, T.S. Dramatic Definite Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Brighton, 52)
    Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Brighton, 52) Dramatic Definite Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Brighton, 52)
    Wallack, James Wallack, James Dramatic Definite Wallack, James

    Events at Theatre Royal, Brighton

    Event Date Venue Location Film
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 46-7)
    Minstrel Show - Brighton, Sussex Female American Serenaders
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Othello by Act of Parliament Troupe (Brighton, 42)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Wallack, James
    Concert - Brighton, Sussex Phillips, Henry
    Minstrel Show - Brighton, Sussex Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846)
    Minstrel Show - Brighton, Sussex Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1846)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 46-7)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Ethiopian Delineators (Pelham's, 1847)
    Minstrel Show - Brighton, Sussex Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Minstrel Show - Brighton, Sussex Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Minstrel Show - Brighton, Sussex Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Minstrel Show - Brighton, Sussex Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Minstrel Show - Brighton, Sussex Ethiopian Harmonists (1846-47)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Brooke, G.V.
    Minstrel Show - Brighton, Sussex Lantum Serenaders
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Brighton, 52)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 52)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 52)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Brighton, 52)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 52)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Elton
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Brooke, G.V.
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Wallack, James
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Slave Troupe (Brighton, 44)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Forrest
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Othello Troupe (Brighton, 45)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Graham, R.E.
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Foulah Slave Troupe (Brighton, 47)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Slave Troupe (Brighton, 47)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Green Bushes Troupe (Brighton, 46-7)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Mary Blane Troupe (Brighton, 47)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Cobham
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Phelps
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Othello Troupe (Brighton, 50)
    Dramatic - Brighton, Sussex Othello Troupe (Brighton, 50)

    Bibliographic Sources

    View a list of abbreviations.

    • (Under Brighton - Theatre Royal).
    • (Search 'Theatre Royal Brighton')