bath bath england built grade listed building described important surviving examples georgian theatre architecture capacity audience built replace funded decorated architect younger carrying work opened performance shakespeare hosted performances leading actors time including major fire destroyed interior building quickly followed rebuilding programme included construction current entrance undertaken extensive building work including new staircase installation electric lighting followed despite performances casts including theatre rarely profitable world war appeared shows including private lives spirit performance light entertainment aunt audiences declined theatre bought trust following public donations underwent refurbishment rebuilding stage installation new taller fly tower scenery lighting new seat theatre known opened restoration work main auditorium needed children theatre known egg opened complex includes bars restaurants host annual events including history construction theatre erected replacing obtained royal patent enabling use title theatre royal achieve outside london site church hall new theatre proposed sites bath current site chosen funding raised use investment plan named banker credited france combines features group lottery pays agreed sum fund receives members die shares participants value increases death member scheme wound shares cost rapidly purchased prince regent later bother prince frederick subscribers similar scheme previously construction exterior building arches ornaments visible square designed younger designed decorative sections interior main fabric building supervised construction ceiling decorated panels mile painted donated theatre potential damage gas lights installed paintings moved opening night october production unknown actor lead success theatre soon established good reputation management early performances included appearances child actors master betty adult leads prominent actors london stage including addition shakespeare drama productions included opera comedy playing clown november 1850s series changes ownership management coincided revival fall bath popularity reductions receipts compounded rising payments actors london result theatre underwent financial crises fell period decline fortunes began improve manager son law owner took manager theatre audiences began rise fire rebuilding april major fire destroyed interior building including stage scenery wardrobe library leaving exterior walls standing new company formed rebuild theatre competition held designs winner rebuilding included new entrance quickly followed present main entrance built previously house criticizes window frames door hood mentions wood citing typical mason architect remained manager employed play night dream opening night march initially reopened theatre struggled profitable despite appearances took followed son theatre attracted larger regular audiences performances melodrama comedy starting gilbert sullivan operas attractions 20th century theatre closed months enable extensive building work carried accordance terms royal charter involved new staircase installation electric lighting new fire curtain hot water auditorium anniversary opening theatre royal numerous william_shakespeare plays performed company actors led theatre worcester took lease responsible theatres country time appointed local manager performances maintained world war portrayed wounded male french soldier 1920s appearances russian great depression 1930s theatre profitable closed completely months lease taken family involved theatre years world war theatre fared better appearances prominent actors including receipts suffered audiences face competition cinema television unsuccessful proposals trust run theatre 1970s shares owning company bought property developer sold solicitor bristol clarke responsible building profits small sold ran london march dilapidated theatre purchased trust headed following year appeal launched raise money renovations including complete rebuilding stage installation steel grid hold stage lighting scenery higher fly system allow major touring companies including booked perform total projected cost million million seen essential reopening theatre money donations kind received city council historic buildings council south west individuals work building started designs insufficient funds raised complete work loans negotiated north central guarantees local councils theatre reopened november performance night dream featuring cast lead event attended refurbishment october refurbishment appeal launched royal patron raise money programme work preserve year old building ensuring remained suitable 21st century audiences refurbishment extensive programme work theatre saved virtual collapse years included expanded improved lift disabled access stalls royal circle levels complete refurbishment bars creation head pub auditorium technical improvements included rebuilding stage extensive lighting programme entire building new fire alarm systems air conditioning lighting designed improve building efficiency reduce carbon design architects bradley studios construction firm contracted complete building work successful campaign led writer novelist instrumental previous fund raising campaigns saw money raised donations sponsorship enabling work begin away public areas march theatre closed july allow work bars auditorium completed official opening took place wednesday september half months original campaign launched building work completed schedule ceremonial opening performed stage actors starring theatre royal production rivals classic restoration comedy set 18th century bath theatre won theatre said haunted ghosts including grey lady actress centuries ago seen watching productions grey lady box leaves distinctive scent seen recent years architecture features theatre neighbouring head public house grade listed building considered prime example georgian architecture oldest building head storey bay building basement roof door bust square building originally designed younger bays carrying comic tragic central door main entrance pit galleries east main entrance opens altered plain bay entrance addition round arched hiding original bays seat auditorium tiers ornate red decoration ceiling galleries plan supported cast iron pillars area current main entrance school pedestrian friendly shared space area pedestrians cars studio theatre built rear building street called named actor building decorated bronze winged figure designed son entitled hopefully seat auditorium originally space youth theatre small scale touring productions programme soon expanded encompass classical concerts stand comedy including high profile acts house productions accommodate technical needs productions refurbishment planned place improving backstage technical facilities bar auditorium studio opened february production breakfast starring studio led artistic director american season studio room play winner best new play theatre awards nominated tony awards nominated prestigious space daily_telegraph praised venue constantly bubbling awards ceremony received second consecutive nomination awards autumn presented spanish golden age season new translations rarely seen plays included tragedy punishment revenge romantic comedies lady little sense ran cast actors plays september december later transferred summer presented new comedy bad jews november year black comedy father starring plays gone huge national international success following years running continuously tours west end transfers culminating winning award best actor play awards ceremony egg new theatre opened theatre royal egg provides professional theatre productions children families alongside workshops youth theatre productions includes cafe venue children family events occasional teenage arts events restaurants theatre provides pre suite rooms rooms available functions licensed host weddings civil partnership ceremonies performances alongside weekly touring productions programme host annual events including held plays start theatre royal official opening london
Theatre Royal, Bath