The Queen's Theatre, 209 Great Brunswick Street, Now Pearse Street, Dublin
Formerly - The New Olympic Circus / Adelphi Theatre / Royal Adelphi Theatre / Queen's Royal Theatre / Queen's Theatre of Varieties
Dublin Theatres Index
Above - The Queen's Theatre Dublin - From an early postcard - Courtesy Ken Finlay
The
Queen's Theatre, Dublin was built on the site of several previous buildings
of entertainment. The first on the site was the New Olympic Circus built
by John Scott, which
opened in 1823 and was demolished
only six years later in 1829.
The site was then used for the building of a new Theatre called the Royal Adelphi Theatre which opened the same year, 1829. This Theatre was demolished in 1844.
The next Theatre to be built on the site was the Queen's Royal Theatre which was constructed in 1844 and had an auditorium consisting of orchestra stalls, dress circle, balcony and boxes.
Right - A Poster for the Dublin University Amateur Production of Thomas William Robertson's drama 'Caste' at the Queen's Royal Theatre, Dublin in March 1897 - Courtesy Celia Collins (nee Jellicoe) whose Grandfather, Garett Richard Carey Jellicoe, was in the production playing Hon. George d'Alroy. Carey Jellicoe also sometimes used the stage name Alex Austin.
In 1874 Arthur Lloyd took a three year lease on the Theatre and details for this can be seen below.
Left - The exterior of Queen's Theatre, from the detailed book: 'The Lost Theatres Of Dublin' by Philip B Ryan - Click to buy the book on Amazon.co.uk
The Queen's Theatre was later remodelled by the Architects William and R. J. Stirling in 1893 but would eventually close altogether in 1907.
In 1909 the Theatre was remodelled and reconstructed, again by the architect R. J. Stirling, and reopened as the Queen's Theatre.
Later the Theatre would be operated by Dublin Kine Theatres Ltd., who ran it as a Cine-Variety Theatre. At this time the stage was 36 foot deep with a proscenium opening of 28 feet. The Theatre also had twelve dressing rooms for its artists.
In 1948 the Theatre was taken over by Odeon (Ireland) Ltd., who continued to run it as a Cine-Variety Theatre
In 1951 the Theatre became the temporary home of the Abbey Theatre Company until 1966. At this time the Theatre was listed as having a Proscenium arch, full flying facilities and orchestra pit, and seated 904 on 4 levels.
In
1966 the Queen's Theatre was closed when the Abbey Theatre Company moved
out.
In 1969 the Rank Organisation, who then owned the building, set about its demolition and the site was then used for the construction of a new building called Pearse House. The building today is occupied by Trinity College teaching and research facilities.
Left - A Programme for 'Friends and Relations' at the Abbey Theatre Dublin - 18th September 1950.
A visitor to this site, John Greene, says that 'An interior shot of the Queen's Theatre was included in the 1965 John Ford / Jack Cardiff film 'The Young Cassidy'. The film is a bio-pic of Sean O'Casey and as I recall the scene it depicts is the night of the Plough and Stars riots. The movie doesn't seem to have been revived on dvd.' - Courtesy John Greene.
Above - The Staff of the Queen's Theatre, Dublin on an outing to Avoca, Ireland in 1910 - Courtesy Des Kerins, whose Grandfather, Paddy Kerins, worked at the Theatre and is the right-hand figure in the 2nd row from the back.
Above - A modern office building now stands on the site of the former Queen's Theatre, Dublin. This was located on what was then called Brunswick Street but was renamed Pearse Street in the 1920's. The building is part of a larger block which houses part of the Department of Social Welfare. - Courtesy Des Kerins
Arthur Lloyd at the Queen's Theatre, Dublin
On
May 3rd 1874,
owing to throat trouble, Arthur
Lloyd had to give up singing, and therefore procured a three year
lease of the Queen’s Dublin, which he opened as a music
hall. Lloyds’ first pantomime being
Jack and the Bean Stalk by Frank Green (shown left), afterwards
producing two others, the last of the trio being a financial failure
owing to the colossal success of the first production of The Shaughraun
at the Gaiety Theatre.
During
his lesseeship of the Queen’s he engaged many well known actors,
including Chas Sillivan, who often said that Lloyd was the man who was
the cause of his popularity, Johnny Dallas, the M’Carthy Family, T. C. King, the talented tragedian,
John Billington, Tom Glenny, Joseph Eldred, Mrs
Rousby (see below), besides many of the best music hall
artists of the time.
Extract
edited from The A.L. Reminicencences in The ERA 23 July 1904
The posters shown above are from a large collection of original Lloyd / King Posters collected since the mid 1800s by members of the family and found recently after being lost for 50 years. Click the posters to enlarge. To see all these posters see the Poster Index.
Right - Clara and Wybert Rousby - ‘Conceive, ye pitiable beings who have not yet seen the original of our description, an actress possessing a charming presence - a fascinating manner - a voice clear, sweet, and resonant as marriage bells - wondrous power of pouring forth silvery peals of refreshingly natural laughter, and a graceful and unaffected style of acting - then you will have some idea of Mrs Rousby.’ The Era, London, Sunday, 8 October 1876 - Courtesy John Culme.
Above - From The Era Almanack of 1875: Dublin - Queen's Theatre of Varieties. (Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Arthur Lloyd.) Open every Evening with the best Company in Dublin. Comedy, Concert, and Ballet. Always pleased to hear from first-class Artistes, Ballet Troupes, Organised Companies, &c. Three days' silence a courteous negative. The above is not a Music Hall, but a first-class Theatre of Varieties, and the largest in Dublin. Courtesy Jennifer Carnell of The Sensation Press.
Arthur Lloyd took a 3 year lease on The Queen's Theatre in 1874 and opened it on May the 3rd. The cutting below, showing just how enthusiastic he was for the venture, was printed in the Irish Times of 1874.
The Irish Times of 1874
Queen's Theatre of Varieties, Dublin.
Sole Lesee and Manager Mr Arthur Lloyd.
To The Public, Mr. Arthur Lloyd, Comedian And Vocalist,
In
thanking the Nobility, Gentry, and inhabitants of Dublin and its vicinity
for the many great kindnesses accorded him during his Annual Visits,
with his Company, has the greatest pleasure in informing them that he
has secured a Lease of the Queen's Theatre, situated in Brunswick street,
and will shortly open it under the above title, Entirely re-decorated
and Embellished, and will show all that human energy and modern enterprise
can accomplish to this once popular Theatre to the highest vanguard
of first class Excellence.
Right - An Advertisement for Arthur Lloyd's Queen's Theatre of Varieties, Dublin from the Irish Times of 1875.
To suit the taste of all classes (who now-a days prefer a light and amusing kind of entertainment to the usual heavy Drama, &c Mr Arthur Lloyd has resolved that the nightly programme consist of Comedy, Concert, and Ballet.
The comfort of the visitors will not be a secondary consideration, as that will be as strictly looked after as the quality of Amusements.
Mr. Lloyd is pleased to indicate that Cloak Rooms, and Refreshment Saloons, will be provided and presided over by civil and experienced Officials, whose business it will be to see that every Visitor is made as happy as politeness and attention will permit. In the Saloons, Mr Arthur Lloyd assures the public that he will guarantee the quality of the articles.
Mr Arthur Lloyd, knowing the great assistance that first class Musicians can give to a first class entertainment has great pleasure in announcing that there will be an increased and thoroughly competent Orchestra, presided over by an able and experienced Conductor, who will introduce the best Overture and Dance Music, and also, each evening, perform a medley of the most popular Melodies of the day, both Comic and Sentimental.
To Conduct the "Queen's Theatre of Varieties" in a First Class Style, and to render it as second to none in or out of London, Mr Lloyd submits to the public the following Prices of Admission:-
Lower Circle, 3s; Upper Circle, 1s 6d; Pit, 1s; Gallery 6d; Private Boxes, 2 Guineas and 1 Guinea.
Children under Twelve Years of age Half Price only to the Lower Circle, 1 6d and Upper Circle, 1s.
No Second Price to any part of the Theatre.
No Free List, the Public Press excepted.
As
Mr Arthur Lloyd has provided in every way for the comfort and convenience
of the Audience inside the Theatre, there will be no Pass-out Checks
and no Readmission without Repayment.
Right - An Advertisement for Arthur Lloyd's Queen's Theatre of Varieties, Dublin from the Irish Times of 1877.
The Text above is from The Irish Times of 1874.
Delarue Lloyd, Arthur Lloyd's brother, is also known to have performed at The Queen's Theatre, on the 26th of November 1881, and T. C. King, Arthur Lloyd's father in law, was playing Othello at the Queen's Theatre when the then relatively unknown Henry Irving was playing Cassio, in March of 1860.
Arthur Lloyd is also known to have taken his tour of Ballyvogan here in 1891.
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