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____________________________________________________________________________________________ The Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath Also - The Theatre Royal, Old Orchard Street, Bath
Above - The Theatre Royal, Bath in 2004.
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The building is currently used as the Bath Masonic Hall (see this photo). There is a great deal of information on the building itself, and details of guided tours which are given four days each week, on the website of Bath's Old Orchard Street Theatre here. Right - The Theatre Royal, Orchard Street in 1804 - With kind permission (c) Bath in Time - Bath Central Library Collection. |
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The second Theatre Royal was built by George Dance the Younger and John Palmer, opening on the 12th of October 1805. The Theatre was later rebuilt by the well known Theatre Architect C. J. Phipps in 1863 after a fire had destroyed the earlier building the previous year.
Above - The auditorium of the Theatre Royal, Bath during a meeting of the British Association in 1864 - From the Illustrated London News September 1864. In 1892 the Theatre was the subject of improvements carried out by the original architect, C. J. Phipps, at a cost of £1,000. The Theatre reopened on Monday the 29th of August 1892 and the ERA printed a report on the refurbished Theatre in their 3rd of September edition saying: 'The Theatre Royal, Bath, in which improvements and embellishments, at a cost exceeding £1,000, have been made under the direction of Mr C. J. Phipps, was reopened on Monday last. A marked improvement is observable immediately on entering the building. In place of the old heavy doors, which the visitor in the first place encountered, there have been erected handsome doors of teak, which are polished a rich brown mahogany colour, and in the upper parts is panelled plate glass.
Right - A detail from the main facade of the New Theatre Royal Bath in 2004 - Courtesy Piers Caunter. Patent pneumatic springs have been affixed to all the doors. In the dress-circle itself improvement has been made wherever possible, besides the general decoration harmonising with the rest of the house. The cloakrooms have been nicely papered, and the sanitary arrangements here, as in every part of the theatre, have been renewed, improved, and brought up to date. Left - The side elevation of Theatre Royal Bath in 2004 - Courtesy Piers Caunter. On either hand the private boxes are decorated in a charming blue tint, the silk brocade curtains being on the inner side of the same shade, but outwardly of rose red to match the walls of the circles. The pillars supporting the tiers are suitably adorned, and conduce greatly to the brilliancy of the whole. The Improvement has not, however, stopped at the auditorium. Behind the scenes everything has been overhauled and scrupulous cleanliness reigns supreme. The walls of the stage have been distempered right up to the "gridiron," while the ten commodious dressing-rooms, repainted and improved sanitarily, afford ample accommodation. The green-room, with its sixteen neat arm chairs, is very comfortable, as is the manager's room near. The audience on Monday night testified their approval by repeated applause; cheers were given for Mr Lewis, who has borne the entire cost of the work, and satisfaction was general.
The above text in quotes (edited) was first published
in the ERA, 3rd September 1892
- Courtesy BF. The Theatre had a new stage and Grid constructed in 1981 and its auditorium, which was Phipps very first commission, was restored at the same time. The Theatre is Grade II listed and has a seating capacity of 950. Right - A Programme for 'Cinderella' at the Theatre Royal Bath December 1938. The Theatres Trust calls this 'the most important surviving example of Georgian theatre architecture'. There is now a small studio theatre at the rear of the Theatre called the Ustinov Studio, which was built in 1997. You may like to visit the Theatre's own Website here. Arthur Lloyd is known to have performed in Bath in 1879. |
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There
have been two Theatre Royal's in Bath since the mid 1700s. The first
was built in Old Orchard Street in 1750 and despite having had many
alterations and conversions over the years it is still standing.
The
entrance vestibule has been much improved by the introduction of a floor
in mosaic, and the stencilling and decorating in warm colours of the
ceilings and walls. After admiring the rich Japanese embossed panelling
above the steps in the corridor beyond, and perhaps noting the pretty
design overhead, the visitor passes through swing doors of the same
description, which displace the old baize ones so familiar to frequenters
of the dress-circle, and enters the semi-circular lobby. Here the walls
are of a dainty salmon colour, with a rich Pompeian red dado, harmonising
well with the carpeting
For
the purpose of heightening the artistic effect, and of accentuating
the elegantly designed fronts of the three tiers, which are chiefly
adorned in ivory white, pale blue, and gold, the walls of the circles
behind are papered in rich rose red. At the top of each tier run handsome
gold beadings. Different in design, and more bold in execution, are
the lower tier, circles, diamonds, and panels, each of which contains
an elaborate design, which is let into the ivory background. Especially
beautiful are the panels, which are painted in red and yellow, with
an edging of turquoise blue. 
After
the overture by the orchestra the members of Mr Fred. Fredericks' burlesque
company, who were presently to appear in the new burlesque The Rose
of the Alhambra, sang the National Anthem, the solo being given
by Miss Florence Black, the audience standing.'