Richmond Theatre

Theatre in England

51°27′43″N 0°18′14″W / 51.4620°N 0.3038°W / 51.4620; -0.3038Public transitLondon Underground London Overground National Rail RichmondOwnerAmbassador Theatre GroupDesignationGrade II*TypeProvincialCapacity840ConstructionOpened18 September 1899ArchitectFrank MatchamWebsiteRichmond Theatre website at Ambassador Theatre Group
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameRichmond TheatreDesignated28 June 1972Reference no.1065384

The present Richmond Theatre, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, is a British Victorian theatre located on Little Green, adjacent to Richmond Green. It opened on 18 September 1899 with a performance of As You Like It. One of the finest surviving examples of the work of theatre architect Frank Matcham, the building, in red brick with buff terracotta, is listed Grade II* by Historic England.[1] John Earl, writing in 1982, described it as "[o]f outstanding importance as the most completely preserved Matcham theatre in Greater London and one of his most satisfying interiors."[2]

History

Little Green, with Richmond Green seen in the distance

The theatre, originally known as the Theatre Royal and Opera House,[3] is structured into the familiar stalls, dress and upper circles, with four boxes at dress level. The auditorium is a mixture of gilt detailing and red plush fabrics, covering seats and front of circles. Its interior and exterior has been used as a movie set in many films (e.g. Evita, Topsy-Turvy, standing in for the Victorian Savoy Theatre, Finding Neverland—doubling as the Duke of York's Theatre, National Treasure: Book of Secrets—setting of Ford's Theatre) and TV programmes (e.g. Jonathan Creek).

In the early 1990s the theatre underwent a major overhaul overseen by the designer Carl Toms. This included a side extension giving more space for the audience and included a 'Matcham Room', today known as the Ambassador Lounge. The driving force behind the renovation of the theatre was Sally Greene, with strong support from Richmond upon Thames Council through its chief executive, Richard Harbord and Community Services Committee chairman Serge Lourie.

The theatre is now part of the Ambassador Theatre Group and has a weekly schedule of plays and musicals, alongside special music events and children's shows. Pre-West End productions can often be seen. There is a Christmas and New Year pantomime tradition and many of Britain's greatest music hall and pantomime performers have appeared there. The theatre also offers a range of creative learning activities for adults and children, including drama, creative writing and singing.[4]

January 2013 saw Richmond Theatre extend access in the community when Suzanne Shaw and Tim Vine starred in the pantomime Aladdin, by offering its first relaxed performance as part of a pilot scheme initiated by ATG.[5]

In 2016, the theatre was honoured with the People's Choice Award at The Richmond Business Awards.[6]

References

  1. ^ Historic England (28 June 1972). "Richmond Theatre (1065384)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  2. ^ Earl, John. Contributor to Curtains!!! or a New Life for Old Theatres, John Offord Publications Ltd (London 1982) ISBN 0903931427
  3. ^ "Richmond Theatre – History of Richmond Theatre Richmond, London". ATG Tickets. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  4. ^ "Creative Learning & Community Partnerships". ATG Tickets. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Access".
  6. ^ "Richmond Business Awards 2016 – Richmond Upon Thames Chamber Of Commerce". Richmond Upon Thames Chamber Of Commerce. Retrieved 23 May 2017.

Sources

  • Earl, John; Sell, Michael (2000). Guide to British Theatres 1750–1950, pp. 134–5, Theatres Trust. ISBN 0-7136-5688-3

Further reading

External links

  • Official website
  • v
  • t
  • e
Districts
Location of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in Greater London

Location of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in Greater London
Railway stationsStreets and roadsRiver Thames bridges, islands
and river servicesOther rivers and streamsSports venuesEventsBreweries and pubsTheatres, cinemas
and music venuesFilm and recording studiosMedia and publishingPublic artHistorical royal palacesOther places
of interest
Tragedy and disasterOther history topicsParliamentary constituencies
  • Richmond Park
  • Twickenham
  • former Richmond and Barnes
  • former Richmond (Surrey)
Other topics
  • v
  • t
  • e
Theatres in London
West End
Ambassador Theatre Group
Delfont Mackintosh Theatres
LW Theatres
Nederlander Organization
Nimax Theatres
Independent
Other major
theatres
Off West End
Fringe and
suburban
Former
  • Category
  • Commons
  • v
  • t
  • e
London West End
theatres
UK regional
theatres
Broadway theatres
US regional
theatres
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
International
  • VIAF
Geographic
  • EUTA theatre


Stub icon

This article about a London building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

  • v
  • t
  • e
Stub icon

This article about a theatre building in the United Kingdom is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

  • v
  • t
  • e