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Aberdeen Theatres and Halls

His Majesty's Theatre, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen

Above - His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen - From a Postcard

His Majesty's Theatre, in Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen, was built by the renowned Theatre Architect Frank Matcham at a cost of £35,000 and opened on the 3rd of December 1906 with a production of the pantomime 'Little Red Riding Hood.' The Theatre is situated above the Union Terrace Gardens and was built from Kemnay White Granite and has an imposing copper covered dome.

The auditorium with its Roman Classical style plasterwork was built on four levels with three curved balconies, and proscenium boxes, and could accommodate an impressive 2,300 people when the Theatre opened, but in 2008 this is a more modest 1,400. The stage of the Theatre has a 30' opening, flanked by a pink marble proscenium which has a frieze above by W. H. Buchan depicting robed figures.

In 1982 the Theatre had a £3 million refurbishment and was reopened on the 17th of September by Prince Charles, having been closed for the previous 23 months.

The Theatre was again closed on the 13th March 2004, this time for a redevelopment project costing nearly £8 million and funded by the Aberdeen City Council, The Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund, and Scottish Enterprise Grampian.

The redevelopment included the refurbishment and modernisation of the front of house areas, the building of a new restaurant, coffee shop, and a corporate hospitality suite, a new Green Room and rehearsal room backstage, with improved dressing rooms. The auditorium was also refurbished and the seating re-upholstered.

In 'Memories of Show Business' by Percy Court he writes briefly on his time working at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen as follows: "We had a few days vacation prior to opening at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. A most beautiful theatre, a wonderful staff in a beautiful city. Mrs. Court and myself enjoyed our stroll round this city of granite - of the north. Outside the portico of the theatre is a huge statue of Wallace - that great Scottish patriot. He must have been a veritable "Goliath" and would have been a great "draw" to any circus. At the base is what he thought of all intruders to Caledonia - he certainly was very candid. He spoke his mind.

Right - His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen and the statue of Wallace - From a Postcard.

We lived in Union Street, over Boots Chemists, it was an easy distance to the theatre. We opened to an absolutely packed house and I never saw, in my long life, such an array of Scottish pageantry before. Parties of dignified families were numerous and filled this beautiful theatre to enjoy our circus offering. The passionate patriotism of their country is exemplified by the display of gorgeous "tartans" - "The exemplary badge of bravery" whilst the little girls added a great charm, wearing velvet capes, which added to the scene.

Mr. Donald, the managing director, was very pleased with the show which included the 5 Australian Aces - a thrilling motor-cycle riding on an inclined plane - with acrobatic stunts. Also Tom Davis Trio - motoring in mid-air - in which all three pass and re-pass each other whilst the track, a grilled tea cup track, is hoisted by cables and a "crab" or "drum' about ten foot high - whilst they continue racing at fifty miles per hour - until the track is lowered.

Our last spectacle was Chipperfield's Lions. The trainer "Dick Chipperfield put his beasts through various tricks to earn the plaudits of the patrons - a Grand Finale! The stage at H.M. Theatre, Aberdeen, is twenty four feet from street level. We had at least twenty-eight horses - these were all stabled outside of the theatre. The lions and other dangerous animals were housed at the theatre. A portion of the stage functioned as a lift and four horses could be accommodated either to travel up or down.

At this period, 1943 - 1944, it was operated by six men - three each side, synchronising. On New Years night, after the performance, an accident occurred - either a man slipped, or was tired - let the handle free. A very big man, of huge dimension, stepped forward to catch the handle - he failed - it decapitated this brave fellow but it broke the impact of the journey to the cellar and the four horses were unhurt. Mr. Donald made provision for his widow and a collection was made among the artists which was in figures ......

Our visit was coupled with fine weather - it seemed anomalous to me - that at Bradford and Leeds - it was very cold - yet here, hundreds of miles further north, it was fairly warm.

Left - A Colour Postcard of His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen.

We stayed at this four weeks and only a sprinkling of snow - on two occasions. I shall always have happy memories of Aberdeen. The citizens were enthusiastic with our circus representations. We were feted everywhere - invitations to Scottish gatherings and parties after the show, whilst the directors invited Mrs. Court and myself to the Caledonian Hotel, which we appreciated. Later a really "big K' was given by Mr. Donald - on the last performance before we departed - down south."

Above text in quotes is from 'Memories of Show Business' by Percy Court - You may like to read the rest of Percy's memoirs here...

Now over a hundred years old His Majesty's Theatre is still going strong, and is Aberdeen's Major Theatre for large scale musicals, pantomimes, ballet, opera, and all the major touring productions from London's West End and the provinces.

You may like to visit the Theatre's own Website here...

Palace Theatre, Aberdeen

The Palace Theatre, Aberdeen was built in 1898 by John Rust but was converted to a cinema in 1931 after a fire gutted the building in 1929. The building still stands and was until recently a Nightclub but is currently, in 2004, vacant. See this site for an image of the Palace Cinema.

Right - Poster for Arthur Lloyd and his children Harry, Lillie and Dulcie at the Palace Theatre, Aberdeen in January 1902 - Click to enlarge.

The poster above right is one of a large collection of original Lloyd Posters collected since the mid 1800s by members of the family and found recently after being lost for 50 years. To see all these posters click the Poster Index here...

Theatre Royal, Aberdeen

The Theatre Royal, Aberdeen was built in 1789 and demolished in 1877.

Left - Poster for Horatio Lloyd and his son, Arthur, performing in Horatio's 'Facts and Fancies' at the Theatre Royal, Aberdeen in 1858.

Horatio writes about 'Facts and Fancies' in his autobiography here...

The poster left is one of a large collection of original Lloyd Posters collected since the mid 1800s by members of the family and found recently after being lost for 50 years. To see all these posters click the Poster Index here...

Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen

The Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen was built in 1872 as Her Majesty's Theatre by C. J. Phipps and James Matthews. The auditorium was later rebuilt by Frank Matcham in 1897 and again in 1909. The Theatre has been used for Bingo since the 1960s and is currently awaiting enough interest to be shown in restoring and reopening it as a Theatre again.

Right - Programme for the Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen, 1942

You may like to visit the Tivoli's own website, which has a detailed history of the Theatre, many images, and plans to revive this historic Theatre.

For some more wonderful images of the Tivoli Theatre, inside and out, see this site...