Theatre Royal, Windsor

The Edwardian theatre stands on Thames Street in Windsor, Berkshire. It replaced an earlier theatre built in 1815 that burned down in 1908. Sir William Shipley and Captain Reginald Shipley commissioned the new building, designed by Frank Verity. The present structure opened on 13 December 1910 and is Grade II listed. It is the only unsubsidised producing theatre operating all year round in the United Kingdom. The first Theatre Royal opened on High Street in 1793 and was attended by King George III and Queen Charlotte. A new theatre opened on Thames Street in 1815, but a tragedy occurred in 1845 when a woman fell from the gallery and died. The building was remodelled several times, including the addition of a Royal Box in 1869. It was renamed the Theatre Royal and Opera House in 1900 and burned down in 1908. The rebuilt theatre seats 850 people across stalls, dress circle, upper circle and gallery. Jack Gladwin managed the theatre after leasing it in 1921 and converted it into a cinema during the late 1920s. John Counsell took over in 1933 and reopened it in 1938, establishing a viable company without subsidies. Today the theatre hosts touring productions, summer repertory seasons and an annual pantomime. Bill Kenwright has managed the theatre since 1997, presenting classics, new work and traditional pantomimes.