Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, Hyde

Cambell and Horsley were selected architects for the Theatre Royal in February 1901 a little over two months before Horsley’s death. It must be assumed that the design was the work of William Cambell in the most part. The Theatre Royal replaced an earlier Theatre of the same name in Frank Street which was of timber construction and opened in 1865. This was originally run by Charles Henry Duvall and later by Joseph W Maloney who would go on to build the new Theatre Royal in 1902.

NEW THEATRE ROYAL, HYDE – This structure, which is illustrated on page 255, is now in course of erection. It is to take the place of the present wooden building which has been run with such conspicuous success for a number of years past, and occupies a site in the centre of the town fronting the municipal buildings. Amongst other advantages this particular site offers is the very important one of providing frontage for the new structure on all four sides, thus rendering it practically isolated. The auditorium consists of the pit, with 16 rows of seating, accommodating 600 persons; the pit-stalls, with six rows, will seat 225 persons; the dress and rear circle, in six rows, provides chairs for 300; and the gallery and amphi., contains la rows, with seating capacity for 550 persons. From all parts of the house good sighting is guaranteed, also an entirely uninterrupted view of the stage, owing to the construction of the galleries being on the cantilever principle.

The dress circle is reached from the entrance hall in the centre of the front by a wide staircase ending in a spacious landing, off which is a small foyer leading to the front and side circles and two private boxes. The pit is entered from the main front by two short corridors, and the pit-stalls by a separate corridor running along the side of, but apart from the pit, these two portions of the auditorium being served with six means of exit. The amphi. and gallery have each two entrances from the front street by means of two self-contained staircases, which should in case of emergency be ample to ensure perfect safety to its occupants. Refreshments will be served in spacious saloons situated outside the auditoriums in all parts of the house, and retiring rooms are conveniently placed, and will be fitted with the most modern sanitary arrangements. The stage will be 63 ft. long by 40 ft. deep, with stage, cellars, flies, gridiron, carpenter's shop, and paint room. The proscenium opening is 29 ft. wide and 26 ft. high. In the side street is placed the artistes' entrance, which communicates by means of a corridor with the stage and dressing room stairs, the number and size of dressing rooms being ample to accommodate the largest companies on tour. The comfort of the artistes has been well looked to, as each dressing-room will be supplied with hot and cold water, and will, in addition, be heated by hot water.

Externally a free use of red terra cotta is adopted, made by the Accrington Brick and Terra-cotta Company, and internally the decorative scheme will be carried out in fibrous plaster and other relief materials. The theatre will be seated, furnished, and upholstered by Messrs. A. R. Dean, Limited, Birmingham. The lighting will be gas, assisted by lime-lights for stage effects, etc. The heating and ventilation have been well considered, and an installation of sprinklers, fire appliances, etc., has been provided.The theatre, which is to be opened in September next, has been designed by Messrs. Cambell & Horsley, 57, Deansgate Arcade, Manchester, and the contractors are Messrs. S. Robinson & Sons, of Hyde. The steelwork has been designed by Mr. Walter Tester, and executed by Messrs. Dunkerley, both of Manchester. [British Architect 11 April 1902 page 625]

The site provided frontage for the new structure on all four sides, thus rendering it practically isolated. The auditorium consisted of the pit, with sixteen rows of seating, accommodating 600 persons; the pit-stalls, with six rows, could accommodate 225 persons in seats upholstered in crimson; the dress and rear circle in six rows, provides tip-up chairs, upholstered in-crimson velvet for 300: and the gallery and amphitheatre contain twelve rows, with seating capacity for 500 persons. The seats in the pit and rear circle were divided by arms, so that each person had ample room. Together with two private boxes, the auditorium could accommodate upwards of 1,600 people. The dress circle was reached from the entrance hall in the centre of the front by a wide staircase ending in a spacious landing, off which was a small foyer leading to the front and side circles and two private boxes. The pit was entered from the main front by two short corridors, and the pit-stalls by a separate corridor running along the side of, but apart from, the pit, these two portions of the auditorium being served with six means of exit. The amphitheatre and gallery had two entrances from the front street by means of two self-contained staircases which, in case of emergency, were considered ample to ensure safety to the occupants. Refreshments were to be served in spurious saloons situated outside the auditorium in all parts of the house.The stage measured 63 feet by 40 feet, with stage, cellars, flies, gridirons, carpenter's shop, and paint-room. The proscenium opening was 29ft. wide and 26ft high. In the side street is placed the artists' entrance, which communicates by means of a corridor with the stage and dressing-room stairs, the number and size of dressing rooms being ample to accommodate large companies. The comfort of the artists has been well looked to, as each dressing-room will be supplied with hot and cold water. Externally, the free use of red terra-cotta was adopted, and internally the decorative scheme will be carried out in fibrous plaster and other relief materials. While the theatre was lighted with gas on the latest principle to meet immediate requirements, every preparation was made for the future by laying down wires, etc., for electricity, which illuminating power will supersede gas directly as soon as there was a public installation in the town.

Building began early in 1902 and the theatre  opened on Monday 3 November 1902.

Reference    Manchester City News 2 February 1901 Page 5 (Personal)
Reference    British Architect 11 April 1902 Page 25 illustration. Page 265- extensive note.
Reference    The Stage 15 May 1902
Reference    The Stage 6 November 1902 - opening