Theatre Royal, Plymouth

History

In 1758 a theatre was built at the top of George Street in Plymouth. Originally known as the Theatre, Frankfort-Gate,{{cite book

In 1810 Plymouth Corporation held a competition for the design of a new theatre, hotel and assembly rooms at the bottom of George Street. The competition was won by John Foulston, who built a neo-classical block of buildings between 1811 and 1813. The new Theatre Royal opened in 1813 and could seat 1,192.{{cite book |access-date=24 July 2010

The decline in theatre-going caused by the rise in cinema attendance resulted in the building being demolished in 1937. It was replaced by the 2,400-seat Royal Cinema, which opened the following year. The cinema survived the Plymouth Blitz during the Second World War, which destroyed the adjoining hotel and assembly rooms.{{cite book

On a different site, the current Theatre Royal was designed in 1977 by the Peter Moro Partnership, which had already designed a number of new theatres around the country.{{cite book |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607212122/http://www.plymouthdata.info/TH-Royal.htm |archive-date=7 June 2011 |access-date=12 February 2015

The Lyric (the main auditorium)

The Lyric seats 1,315 but has a unique ability to compress the auditorium, creating a more intimate performance space of 787. It has a steep auditorium with two galleries and very large proscenium arch. The range of work presented and produced is extensive and includes major touring drama and musical productions, as well as leading opera and dance companies (including the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Rambert Dance Company, Glyndebourne on Tour and the Welsh National Opera).

In 2019, The SpongeBob Musical was filmed for television in front of a live audience at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

The Lyric also produces its own drama and musical productions each year, usually with commercial or subsidised partners.

The Drum

Main article: Drum Theatre (Plymouth)

The Drum (capacity – 200) specialises in the production of new plays and has a good reputation for its innovative programme. It won the Peter Brook Empty Space Award in 2007. It often collaborates with other subsidised companies and venues such as the Royal Court, ATC, the Lyric Hammersmith, the Bush Theatre, Frantic Assembly, Hampstead Theatre, Paines Plough, the Traverse Theatre and the Tron Glasgow.{{cite web |access-date = 24 July 2010 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120805165251/http://www.theatreroyal.com/content.asp?CategoryID=969 |archive-date = 5 August 2012

The Production and Learning Centre, TR2

The Production and Learning Centre, TR2, is on the bank of the River Plym, and was designed by Ian Ritchie Architects. It contains set, costume, prop-making and rehearsal facilities. TR2 provides one of the biggest education and outreach programmes for a regional venue in the UK.

References

References

1. "The Theatre Royal Plymouth secures National Portfolio funding for 2015-18 – Theatre Royal Plymouth".
2. Steven Morris. (26 November 2018). "Giant bronze statue for Devon takes shape in tiny Welsh village". The Guardian.
3. "Reel Cinema in Plymouth, GB – Cinema Treasures".
4. (24 June 2011). "Urban Trawl: Plymouth". [[Building Design]].