Theatre Royal, Newcastle

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Venue Type & Location

Theatre

Site Name: Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
County: Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan
Location Type: Town - in town at determined location

Overview

  • Address: 100 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. Click here for map.



  • Capacity: Information from 1844 suggests that the Theatre could hold 1589 spectators. The current building seats 1294.



  • Performance Space Description: The Theatre Royal was (and is) a grand, monumental building in the classical style. The Theatres Trust site describes the exterior of the building (still extant) as follows: “The symmetrical face is dominated by a portico of giant Corinthian pilasters at the angles repeated round each corner. Restrained three-stored [sic] side elevations with an attic above the cornice”. For additional architectural details, see the Images of England Listing Here.



    In terms of the performance space itself, the original interior of the building seems to have been modeled closely on the space at Drury Lane. The theatre featured a proscenium stage, which, according to the Theatres Trust site, measured 26 and a half deep by 53 feet wide, with a proscenium width of 29 and a half feet (in 1844).


  • Typical Fare: Between 1842 and 1852, the theatre offered all manner of dramatic entertainments. Alongside numerous productions of Shakespeare, bills often featured domestic melodramas, farces, pantomimes and operatic dramas. Vocalists, dancers, variety entertainers (a la Tom Thumb) and musicians frequently performed between dramatic pieces as well.



    • Performance History

  • The Grey Street theatre was built 1837, to replace the previous Theatre Royal on Mosely Street. According to the Theatre Royal’s website, “the original Theatre Royal obstructed the plans for a bold and adventurous building development by Richard Grainger. A deal was struck between the Theatre Royal proprietors and Mr. Grainger, on the understanding that, along with a hefty compensation fee for the closure of the old theatre, a new and larger Theatre Royal would be constructed.” The Grey Street building was the result. (See Newcastle - Past and Present for further information).
  • The new theatre was built according to the design of John & Benjamin Green. It opened (with a production of The Merchant of Venice) on February 20th, 1837.



  • In 1895, the entire interior of the building was redesigned by architects Walter Emden & W. Lister Newcombe. Within a year, however, the building was ravaged by fire and this new auditorium was destroyed.



  • The auditorium was then rebuilt according to designs by Frank Matcham in 1901. The theatre still exists, largely in this form, today. It is a fully operational, Grade 1 listed theatre facility.



    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 Theatre Royal, Newcastle

    Troupe Troupe Type # of events
    Aldridge, Ira Dramatic 10
    Anderson, James Dramatic 3
    Bennett, James Dramatic 2
    Bosjesmans Exhibition 1
    Bull, F.G. Band 1
    Bull, Peter M. Band 1
    Calhaen, F. Dramatic 1
    Castle Spectre Troupe (Newcastle, 43) Dramatic 1
    Castle Spectre Troupe (Newcastle, 46) Dramatic 1
    Chippewa Indians Exhibition 1
    Creole Troupe (Newcastle, 48) Dramatic 3
    Davenport, J.L. Dramatic 1
    Davis, S. Dramatic 2
    Ethiopian Serenaders, from Astleys (47) Minstrel 1
    Forde, Norton Dramatic 1
    Hall, H. Dramatic 1
    Macready Dramatic 2
    Mary Blane Troupe (Newcastle, 49) Dramatic 1
    Mary Blane Troupe (Newcastle, 51) Dramatic 1
    Mistaken Story Troupe (Newcastle, 52) Dramatic 1
    Mungo Park Troupe (Newcastle, 49) Dramatic 1
    No Troupe 4
    Ormonde, Alfred Dramatic 1
    Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 43) Dramatic 2
    Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 44) Dramatic 1
    Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 46) Dramatic 1
    Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 47) Dramatic 3
    Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 48) Dramatic 1
    Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 49) Dramatic 1
    Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 50) Dramatic 3
    Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 51) Dramatic 2
    Othello...Act of Parliament Troupe (Newcastle, 42) Dramatic 3
    Pitt, Charles Dramatic 5
    Slave Troupe (Newcastle, 42) Dramatic 2
    Slave Troupe (Newcastle, 47) Dramatic 1
    Slave Troupe (Newcastle, 51) Dramatic 1
    Swinbourne Dramatic 2
    Ternan Dramatic 1
    Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Newcastle, 52-3) Dramatic 4
    Wentworth, Butler Dramatic 1

    Events at Theatre Royal, Newcastle

    Event Date Venue Location Troupe
    Dramatic 11 July 1842 - 11 July 1842 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Anderson, James
    Dramatic 23 November 1842 - 23 November 1842 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello...Act of Parliament Troupe (Newcastle, 42)
    Dramatic 28 November 1842 - 28 November 1842 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello...Act of Parliament Troupe (Newcastle, 42)
    Dramatic 9 December 1842 - 9 December 1842 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Slave Troupe (Newcastle, 42)
    Dramatic 16 December 1842 - 16 December 1842 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello...Act of Parliament Troupe (Newcastle, 42)
    Dramatic 29 December 1842 - 29 December 1842 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Slave Troupe (Newcastle, 42)
    Dramatic 5 January 1843 - 5 January 1843 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Castle Spectre Troupe (Newcastle, 43)
    Dramatic 6 February 1843 - 6 February 1843 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 43)
    Dramatic 24 April 1843 - 24 April 1843 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 43)
    Dramatic 26 March 1844 - 26 March 1844 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Anderson, James
    Dramatic 6 November 1844 - 6 November 1844 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Bull, F.G.
    Dramatic 8 November 1844 - 8 November 1844 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Bull, Peter M.
    Dramatic 4 December 1844 - 4 December 1844 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 44)
    Dramatic 10 December 1844 - 10 December 1844 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Ternan
    Dramatic 18 February 1845 - 18 February 1845 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Macready
    Dramatic 15 December 1845 - 15 December 1845 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 16 December 1845 - 16 December 1845 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 17 December 1845 - 17 December 1845 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 18 December 1845 - 18 December 1845 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 19 December 1845 - 19 December 1845 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 22 December 1845 - 22 December 1845 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 23 December 1845 - 23 December 1845 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 24 December 1845 - 24 December 1845 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 15 January 1846 - 15 January 1846 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Anderson, James
    Dramatic 17 January 1846 - 17 January 1846 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Castle Spectre Troupe (Newcastle, 46)
    Dramatic 23 February 1846 - 23 February 1846 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 24 February 1846 - 24 February 1846 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Aldridge, Ira
    Dramatic 1 May 1846 - 1 May 1846 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Hall, H.
    Dramatic 7 December 1846 - 7 December 1846 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 46)
    Dramatic 22 March 1847 - 22 March 1847 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 47)
    Minstrel Show 17 May 1847 - 22 May 1847 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Ethiopian Serenaders, from Astleys (47)
    Exhibition 14 June 1847 - 16 June 1847 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Chippewa Indians
    Dramatic 22 November 1847 - 22 November 1847 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 47)
    Dramatic 13 December 1847 - 13 December 1847 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Bennett, James, Slave Troupe (Newcastle, 47)
    Dramatic 14 December 1847 - 14 December 1847 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 47)
    Dramatic 7 January 1848 - 7 January 1848 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Creole Troupe (Newcastle, 48), Davis, S.
    Dramatic 10 January 1848 - 14 January 1848 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Creole Troupe (Newcastle, 48), Davis, S.
    Dramatic 15 March 1848 - 15 March 1848 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 48)
    Dramatic 23 March 1848 - 23 March 1848 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Creole Troupe (Newcastle, 48)
    Dramatic 24 May 1848 - 24 May 1848 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Bennett, James
    Variety 4 December 1848 - 4 December 1848 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Bosjesmans
    Dramatic 8 January 1849 - 8 January 1849 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 49)
    Dramatic 15 January 1849 - 20 January 1849 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Mungo Park Troupe (Newcastle, 49)
    Opera 2 February 1849 - 2 February 1849 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Calhaen, F.
    Dramatic 20 February 1849 - 20 February 1849 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Mary Blane Troupe (Newcastle, 49)
    Dramatic 19 November 1849 - 19 November 1849 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Swinbourne
    Dramatic 22 November 1849 - 22 November 1849 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Forde, Norton
    Dramatic 26 December 1849 - 26 December 1849 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Swinbourne
    Dramatic 20 February 1850 - 20 February 1850 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Ormonde, Alfred
    Dramatic 6 March 1850 - 6 March 1850 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Macready, Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 50)
    Dramatic 16 March 1850 - 16 March 1850 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 50)
    Exhibition 11 May 1850 - 11 May 1850 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan No Troupe
    Exhibition 13 May 1850 - 18 May 1850 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan No Troupe
    Exhibition 20 May 1850 - 25 May 1850 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan No Troupe
    Exhibition 27 May 1850 - 1 June 1850 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan No Troupe
    Dramatic 26 November 1850 - 26 November 1850 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 50)
    Dramatic 11 February 1851 - 11 February 1851 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 51)
    Dramatic 8 April 1851 - 8 April 1851 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Othello Troupe (Newcastle, 51)
    Dramatic 1 May 1851 - 1 May 1851 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Slave Troupe (Newcastle, 51)
    Dramatic 7 May 1851 - 7 May 1851 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Wentworth, Butler
    Dramatic 24 May 1851 - 24 May 1851 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Mary Blane Troupe (Newcastle, 51)
    Dramatic 20 October 1851 - 25 October 1851 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Davenport, J.L.
    Dramatic 6 November 1851 - 8 November 1851 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Pitt, Charles
    Dramatic 10 November 1851 - 13 November 1851 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Pitt, Charles
    Dramatic 10 November 1851 - 15 November 1851 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Pitt, Charles
    Dramatic 4 February 1852 - 4 February 1852 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Mistaken Story Troupe (Newcastle, 52)
    Dramatic 10 February 1852 - 10 February 1852 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Pitt, Charles
    Dramatic 21 February 1852 - 21 February 1852 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Pitt, Charles
    Dramatic 29 November 1852 - 4 December 1852 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Newcastle, 52-3)
    Dramatic 6 December 1852 - 11 December 1852 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Newcastle, 52-3)
    Dramatic 13 December 1852 - 18 December 1852 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Newcastle, 52-3)
    Dramatic 10 January 1853 - 15 January 1853 Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (city-county) in Northumberlan Uncle Tom's Cabin Troupe (Newcastle, 52-3)

    Bibliographic Sources

    • Arthur Lloyd Website. 05/22/2008 (http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/)

      (Under Newcastle - Theatre Royal)

    • University of Bristol, Kathleen Barker Collection. KB/2.
    • Dougan, David. Newcastle—Past and Present . Newcastle Upon Tyne: Graham, 1971.
    • Images of England (National Monuments Record Website). 02/29/2008 (http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/)

      (Search 'Theatre Royal')

    • PastScape (National Monuments Record Website). 03/13/2008 (http://pastscape.english-heritage.org.uk)
    • Theatre Royal Newcastle Website. 03/13/2008 (http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/about_us/history.html)
    • Theatres Trust Website. 03/06/2008 (http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk)

      (Search 'Theatre Royal Newcastle')