Theatre Royal

The Theatre Royal stands in the heart of Bath, a fine example of Georgian theatre architecture. Built in 1805 to replace the Old Orchard Street Theatre, it replaced a former church site and was funded through a tontine, an investment scheme that attracted subscribers including the Prince Regent. The architect George Dance the Younger designed the exterior, while John Palmer supervised construction. The interior once featured ceiling panels from Fonthill Splendens, painted by Andrea Casali, though these were later moved to Dyrham Park. The opening night featured Shakespeare’s Richard III, though the performance was not an immediate success. The theatre has survived fires, financial crises and changing tastes. A major fire in 1862 destroyed the interior, but it was rebuilt under Charles J. Phipps, who added the current entrance on Sawclose. The rebuilt theatre opened in 1863 with a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream starring Charles Kean and Ellen Terry. Later, in 1902, the auditorium was modernised with electric lighting and a new staircase. The theatre hosted stars such as Sarah Bernhardt, Anna Pavlova and John Gielgud, though audiences fluctuated over the decades. Inside, visitors find a restored auditorium with ornate plasterwork and a grand staircase. The complex includes the Ustinov Studio, opened in 1997, and The Egg, a children’s theatre added in 2005. The Garrick’s Head pub remains a popular meeting place. The theatre’s bars and foyers offer views of Beauford Square, where the exterior’s arches and pilasters can be seen. Regular performances continue, keeping the spirit of Georgian theatre alive in the city.