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Graeme Smith is a chartered accountant, mainly involved in the building of new towns and the renewal of cities to enjoy the art of living. For a period in the 1990s he was the secretary and financial director of the Theatre Royal and of Scottish Opera. He is an honorary research fellow of the University of Strathclyde, and assisted Ships for a Nation, the story of John Brown`s of Clydebank.

Graeme has written a number of articles about Theatres in Glasgow and has very kindly sent them in, with pictures, for inclusion on this site. His new book, 'THE THEATRE ROYAL: Entertaining a Nation' is being scheduled for sale to the public from September 2008. It is being produced in full colour, with 280 pages and around 400 illustrations of the people, performances and city it grew up with.

Its introduction and list of contents are shown below. The book`s text is copyright of the author Graeme Smith, and the advance website can be found here.

THE THEATRE ROYAL
Entertaining a Nation
Introduction

From Cowcaddens to the Colosseum, from Hope Street to Hollywood ………for entertainment, drama, pantomime, music and song this is the fascinating story…… lavishly illustrated….. of the Theatre Royal. Emerging from Music Halls to an Opera House and the national home of Scottish Opera and The Scottish Ballet the Theatre Royal is the oldest theatre in Glasgow, opening in 1867. It is also the largest example in Britain of the theatre designs of Charles Phipps.

Pantomime, plays, spectaculars, silent films, circuses, ballet, opera and television grew up with the Royal. Original documents trace its life and personalities, from its parentage in the 18th century, the influence of the Glover family here and overseas, its links with fine arts and the International Exhibitions, all expressing the confidence of Glasgow and the context of its times. It is also the birthplace of Howard & Wyndham Ltd, one of Britain`s major theatre companies, thanks to the Simons fruit businesses in Candleriggs; and the birthplace of commercial television in Scotland, thanks to Canadian Roy Thomson. For an encore there is a history of the previous Theatre Royal in Dunlop Street.
…………..Let the curtain rise!

THE THEATRE ROYAL
Entertaining a Nation

Programme
1867 onwards
James Baylis - Music Hall millionaire
Opening the Doors
Theatre Royal and the Glover family
Royal Performing
Theatre all Around
The Visit from Vulcan
Money, Managers and Musical Chairs

1888 onwards
Michael Simons creates Howard & Wyndham Ltd
The Great War, Pictures, Plays, Operas, and Pantomime
Stewart Cruikshank continues the Royal tradition
War and Peace
Fun in the Fifties …..and Farewell?

1957 onwards
Roy Thomson creates Scottish Television
Entertainment direct to your home
Continuing success from Cowcaddens

1975 onwards
Restoring the Theatre Royal, by public demand
Scottish Opera at home
The Scottish Ballet
The Scottish Theatre Company and Other Galaxies
Into the 21st Century

Encore
Theatres-Royal in Glasgow before 1867
List of Theatre Royal`s owners and lessees from 1867
Acknowledgements.

Graeme has written a number of articles about Theatres in Glasgow and has very kindly sent them in, with pictures, for inclusion on this site. His new book, 'THE THEATRE ROYAL: Entertaining a Nation' is being scheduled for sale to the public from September 2008. It is being produced in full colour, with 280 pages and around 400 illustrations of the people, performances and city it grew up with. The book`s text is copyright of the author Graeme Smith, and the advance website can be found here.