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Citizens Theatre, 121 Main Street, Gorbals, Glasgow
Formerly Her Majesty's Theatre - Royal Princess' Theatre

Glasgow Index

Above - The Citizen's Theatre, Glasgow during the run of 'Snow White.'

Originally the Theatre now known as the Citizens' Theatre was called Her Majesty's Theatre. Her Majesty's was opened on 28th December 1878. Its name was changed to Royal Princess' Theatre in 1880 and in 1906 it is noted to have had a capacity of 1439 seated and 162 standing. On 11 September 1945 it reopened as the Citizens' Theatre, which still in use today. Originally the theatre had a magnificent facade by James Sellars with a giant order of Tuscan columns but this was destroyed in 1977, together with the adjacent Palace Theatre when the present frontage was built.

Left - Citizens' Programme for 'The House of Regrets' by Peter Ustinov at the Royal Princess's Theatre, before the Theatre was renamed The Citizens' Theatre - 1942.

The Citizens' Theatre is now under way.

THE CITIZENS' THEATRE is now under way, thanks to the untiring efforts of our many friends who have assisted us with donations, advice, and publicity, but above all by joining our Theatre Society and by coming regularly to our productions. But if this great effort is to be successful, if this non-profitmaking movement to make Glasgow a genuine drama Centre, is to succeed, we require more money, more people on our Membership roll, more criticism, more cooperation from all classes and creeds, and more loyalty and devotion.

Right - 1943 1944 1945 Programmes for the Citizens' Theatre.

This is not our Theatre. It is YOUR Theatre. We are merely its temporary Trustees. We are doing our best for you, without payment or reward of any kind. Are You in turn doing your best for Us?

"To be, or not to be: that is the question.--

The answer to that question lies with Glasgow's Citizens. London and the other cities are watching our fight. With your regular help and loyalty we can win this battle.

Get the regular theatre habit! Come often to the Citizens' Theatre. It is YOUR Theatre.

Paul Vincent Carroll.

Above text from the November 15th 1943 Citizens' Theatre Programme for 'Shadow & Substance' by Paul Vincent Caroll.

You may like to visit the Theatre's website here...

Above - Original Citizens Theatre frontage and Palace Theatre next door -
from the book 'Glasgow since 1900' Archive publications.

This information courtesy The Mitchell Library, Glasgow, and The Theatres Trust Guide to British Theatres 1750 - 1950