Georgian Theatre Royal |
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The Georgian Theatre Royal, the UK's oldest working theatre in its original form is situated in the picturesque Georgian market town of Richmond, North Yorkshire. Serving as both a thriving community playhouse and a living theatre museum accredited by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the Theatre welcomes visitors of all ages to its year-round performances and hourly guided tours.
Built by actor-manger Samuel Butler in 1788 and forming part of Butler's theatre circuit, the theatre closed in 1848 but following a campaign, was restored and re-opened in 1963. A second restoration and refurbishment was undertaken in 2002/3. The Theatre Royal is a typical eighteenth-century country playhouse, and keeps alive an important period of English theatre architecture.
Britain's oldest scenery, The Woodland Scenery is housed in the museum and a replica is sometimes used for stage performances and weddings. The theatre's unique configuration includes seating on stage (side boxes). This brings an authentic immediacy as experienced by 18th century British theatre-goers. A playbill from 1792 is on display along with a fascinating assortment of 19th century playbills. School children and families can operate replicas of 18th century scenery and try on costumes.
Tours are conducted by the Theatre's experienced team of volunteer guides. Tours usually take 35-40 minutes but can be adapted to visitors' requirements, and a 14-minute film normally rounds off your visit. As well as the Theatre and exhibition areas, visitors can journey back stage and beneath the stage to see where dramatic entrances were made using trapdoors, glimpse footlights and the mechanism used to raise them into place, and view actors' dressing rooms frequented by many famous names such as John Cleese, Jenny Agutter and Alan Bennett in recent years and the young Edmund Keane in the late eighteenth century.
There are guided tours of the theatre, Mon - Sat: no booking required - simply turn up on the hour every hour from 10am (last tour at 4pm). Group tours are welcomed and should be booked in advance on 01748 823710. Please ask for details if you have special access requirements, catering needs or any additional questions.
Theatre guidebooks can be purchased from the Theatre shop and Box Office and summary sheets in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish and Japanese are also available.
The year-round programme of drama, dance, music, poetry and annual pantomime can be viewed at www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk or ring the Box office on 01748 825252.
General Information:
• Wheelchair access to all levels and facilities, 2 spaces available in the theatre
• Infrared headsets available for hearing impaired - please ask when ordering tickets
• Souvenir shop
• Two bars
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Opening Times
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(2011 times)
Please telephone the Box Office for performance information.Tours Monday to Saturday (On the hour) 10am until 4.00pm last tour at 4.00pm.. Shop and Exhibition space opening 10.00am until 4.30pm. Always check with the theatre the day you travel to check tours are running. |
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Admission Charges
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(2011 prices)
Tours: suggested donation of £3.50 per person; Children £1.00; under fives FREE; Groups of ten or more £3.00 per person.Visitors are inbvited to "Gift Aid" their donation where possible. Please telephone for performance prices |
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Directions
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By road: 4 miles from the A1/A1M and A66 at Scotch Corner. By rail: nearest station Darlington 12 miles. Two minutes walk from Richmond Market Place which has frequent buses to Darlington. |
| Show map of Georgian Theatre Royal... |
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Georgian Theatre Royal Postcode for SatNav: DL10 4DW |
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Nearby Attractions
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Richmondshire Museum
(< 1 Mile)*
Richmondshire Museum, which was opened in 1978, began in a former joiner's workshop and has gradually grown. |
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Green Howards Regimental Museum
(< 1 Mile)*
Visit the Green Howards Museum and find out how this distinguished Infantry Regiment had an impact on the story of Britain, Europe and the world. |
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Croft Circuit
(8 Miles)*
Since its redevelopment in 1996 Croft Circuit has endeavoured to bring the Crème de la Crème of British Motorsport to North East and North Yorkshire spectators. |
| more attractions in Richmond and things to do in Richmond ... |
| more things to do in North Yorkshire and days out in North Yorkshire... |
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Nearby Hotels
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Nearby Self Catering
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National Trust | Estate Agents |
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