Plymouth Theatre Royal

Plymouth Theatre Royal is a theatre located in Plymouth, Devon, England, and is one of the largest and most popular theatres in the United Kingdom. The theatre has hosted a wide range of productions, including musicals, plays, and concerts, featuring performers such as Elton John, Tom Jones, and Shirley Bassey. The theatre is also a popular venue for Royal Shakespeare Company productions, as well as National Theatre and Birmingham Royal Ballet performances. The theatre's programme is supported by Arts Council England and Plymouth City Council.

● History

The history of the theatre dates back to the 19th century, when the first Theatre Royal, Plymouth was built in 1813, with the support of King George III and Prince Regent. The theatre was rebuilt in 1867, and again in 1908, after a fire destroyed the building, with the help of Herbert Beerbohm Tree and Oscar Wilde. The current building was opened in 1982, with a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, starring Paul Nicholas and Gillian Lynne. The theatre has since hosted numerous productions, including West End transfers, such as Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, featuring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. The theatre has also been visited by Royal Family members, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

● Architecture

The theatre's design was influenced by the work of Frank Matcham, a renowned theatre architect, who designed many theatres in the United Kingdom, including the London Palladium and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The building features a proscenium arch and a fly tower, allowing for complex set designs and lighting rigs, similar to those used in National Theatre productions. The theatre's auditorium seats over 1,300 people, making it one of the largest theatres in the South West England region, comparable to the Bristol Hippodrome and Exeter Northcott Theatre. The theatre's foyer features a bar and restaurant, offering pre-theatre dining and interval drinks, with a menu designed by Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver.

● Productions

The theatre has hosted a wide range of productions, including musicals such as Chicago, The Lion King, and Wicked, featuring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. The theatre has also hosted plays such as Hamlet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Trevor Nunn and Ian McKellen. The theatre's pantomime season is a popular event, with productions such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, starring Brian Conley and Les Dennis. The theatre has also hosted concerts by Elton John, Tom Jones, and Shirley Bassey, as well as comedy performances by John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson.

● Notable Performers

Many notable performers have appeared at the theatre, including Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, and Sir Patrick Stewart, who have all performed in Royal Shakespeare Company productions. The theatre has also hosted performances by pop stars such as Kylie Minogue, Westlife, and Girls Aloud, as well as comedy acts like Monty Python and The Two Ronnies. The theatre has also been visited by politicians such as Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, who have given speeches and lectures at the theatre, including events organized by Plymouth University and University of Exeter.

● Restoration and Redevelopment

In recent years, the theatre has undergone significant restoration and redevelopment work, including the refurbishment of the auditorium and foyer, with the support of Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage. The theatre has also invested in new lighting and sound systems, allowing for more complex and technologically advanced productions, similar to those at the National Theatre and Royal Opera House. The theatre's education and community programmes have also been expanded, with the help of Arts Council England and Plymouth City Council, offering workshops and classes for young people and adults, in partnership with Plymouth College of Art and University of Plymouth.

● Current Status

Today, the theatre is one of the most popular and successful theatres in the United Kingdom, with a programme of productions that includes West End transfers, touring productions, and local amateur groups, supported by Theatre Royal Plymouth and Plymouth Theatre Company. The theatre is also a popular venue for conferences and events, with its foyer and auditorium available for hire, offering catering and hospitality services, with menus designed by Marco Pierre White and Rick Stein. The theatre continues to be a major part of Plymouth's cultural scene, attracting visitors from across the South West England region, including Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset, and contributing to the local economy, with the support of Visit Plymouth and Plymouth City Council. Category:Theatres in England