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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Directions |
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By road: 4 miles from the A1/A1M and A66 at Scotch Corner. |
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Georgian Theatre Royal Postcode for SatNav: DL10 4DW
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Days Out near Georgian Theatre Royal
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Richmondshire Museum (<1 Mile)*
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Green Howards Regimental Museum (<1 Mile)*
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Croft Circuit (8 Miles)*
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Bolton Castle (10 Miles)*
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Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum (11 Miles)*
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The Bowes Museum (12 Miles)*
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Hazel Brow Farm (12 Miles)*
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Raby Castle (13 Miles)*
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Norton Conyers (15 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Georgian Theatre Royal
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Marrick (6 Miles)*
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Leyburn (8 Miles)*
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Coverham (10 Miles)*
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West Witton (10 Miles)*
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West Witton (10 Miles)*
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Darlington (11 Miles)*
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Barnard Castle (12 Miles)*
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Staindrop (12 Miles)*
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Masham (12 Miles)*
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Aysgarth (13 Miles)*
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