1875 Redecoration and Improvement: Theatre Royal, Peter Street, Manchester

The Theatre has been beautifully decorated, lighted, ventilated and entirely refurbished with roomy and comfortable seats, rendering it the most commodious and luxurious building of its kind in the Kingdom.

[Manchester Guardian 26 August 1875 page 4]

Following the transfer of the Theatre Royal from John Knowles to the Theatre Royal Manchester Company Limited in 1875 the theatre was closed for several months over the summer for improvements and re-decoration. The reports in the Manchester Guardian suggest changes were more substantial than implied by the Builder.

MANCHESTER THEATRE ROYAL - The Manchester Theatre Royal was re-opened on the 4th inst., after being re-decorated and partially re-modelled, from plans by Mr. E. Salomons, architect, Manchester. The decorations were carried out by Mr. Thomas; the gas-fittings are by Messrs. Strode &, Co., of London, and Mr. Heyworth, of Manchester; and Messrs. Davies & Mawdsley were the general contractors. [Builder 11 September 1875 page 829]

The stage, already a very fine one, 60 feet in depth, has been entirely remodelled, the roof being raised 15 feet, to afford greater facilities for changes of scenery, and the stage itself being lowered nine inches, in order to afford the occupants of the stalls a better view of it. The frequenters of the stalls will also find another, and what they will, no doubt, regard as a very welcome improvement. Previously, as is still the case in the Prince's Theatre, access to the stalls was only by ascending the staircase to the dress circle, passing along at either side of the boxes, and then descending another narrow flight of stairs. Under the new arrangements, while the communication with the dress circle will be kept up, two separate and direct entrances to the stalls will be provided, one of which will be in Museum-street, and thus a great convenience will be afforded to those who have cabs or carriages in waiting for them. All the entrances, including those to the pit and gallery, will have verandahs of glass and iron over them. Important alterations are being made in the interior with a view to the greater comfort of visitors, and the front of the stage, which formerly was semi-circular, is now quite straight, whereby more room is allowed for the stalls and pit and the seats are being renewed all through the house. In the dress and upper circles, the seats are being re-arranged in a way which, while accommodating a smaller number than hitherto, will afford to each occupant much more room, and, consequently, a proportionately greater share of comfort. Under the old system there were six rows of seats in the front of the dress circle, but there will now be but five, and each seat, while affording its occupant more space behind and before, will also give much more "elbow room." In the upper circle a similar change has been made, six rows of seats now taking up the space formerly made to serve for seven. Additional accommodation for the performers in the theatre has been provided, some to the rear of the theatre known as the Theatre Royal Hotel having been appropriated for the purpose, and separate refreshment rooms for the circles, pit, and gallery respectively are being constructed. The theatre is still in the hands of the and the workmen, and the casual visitor on entering it would, amid the masses of loose boards and piles of scaffolding, have but little chance of forming a fair judgement with regard to the new decorations; but when under the guidance of those who are familiar with the place, he sees what has already been done, he will readily arrive at the conclusion that, when the work now in progress has been finished, the Theatre Royal of Manchester in its  general aspect will be well worthy of the place which it should and will hold among English temples of the drama. Great improvements have been made in the arrangement for the lighting of the auditorium and stage. Powerful sunlights will shed their brilliancy over the former, while the stage lights will be doubled in number. Eminent artists are engaged on the new curtain*, act drop, and scenery, and the alterations generally are being carried out under the superintendence of Mr E Salomons, architect. [Manchester Guardian 17 August 1875 page 5]

THEATRE ROYAL RE-OPENING - Some not unimportant structural alteration has been made, a separate entrance having, for instance, been provided} for the stalls. But as there are few theatres in existence in which the building is better adapt to its main purpose, there was in this respect comparatively little to be done. With regard to the details of upholstery and ornamentation, sober richness and substantial comfort have been aimed at, rather than the elegant prettiness which, however appropriate to a bijou theatre, would be out of keeping with this solid and extensive house. The work on the whole seems to have been judiciously conceived and the general effect on the eye is decidedly pleasing. The seats in stalls and circle are, within our experience, unsurpassed for comfort and roominess. A crowded and enthusiastic audience testified to the satisfaction felt by Manchester playgoers at having their oldest place of recreation restored to them. [Manchester Guardian 6 September 1875 page 8]

*New curtain painted by W L Telbin

Reference     Manchester Guardian 17 August 1875 page 5
Reference     Manchester Guardian 6 September 1875 page 8
Reference     Builder 11 September 1875 page 829