Building Name

Redecoration: Theatre Royal Peter Street

Date
1854
Street
Peter Street
District/Town
Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New Build

THEATRE ROYAL – During the short recess the interior of this theatre has been entirely repainted, renovated and ventilated, under the immediate superintendence of its talented and tasteful architect, Mr Francis Chester. By means of a forest of scaffolding, the ceiling has been brought within the painter’s reach and he whole interior has undergone the process which, in an inelegant though expressive way, is termed “beautification.” Many of our theatrical readers will remember the chaste yet rich character of the decorations of the interior, when it first opened to the public nine years ago this month. It has been judiciously determined not to alter the decoration, and even to retain the prevailing ground colours, to which so much of the chaste elegance of the original was due – namely a French white and a warmer white. Upon these the gilded ornamentation in relief assumes a character which could not have been attained by contrast with more positive and glowing colours. Wherever the gilding required, it has been re-gilded; and in short, the whole interior now looks as fresh and bright as on its opening night, the 29th September 1845. The chairs in the dress circle have been renovated, and their seats recovered, as have been the seats in the upper circle. The leaning board or balcony edge of both circles has been covered with crimson silk Utrecht velvet. All the cut glass chandeliers have been cleaned, and the burners renewed. The large and handsome central chandelier, of rich cut glass, which has remained unused for so long, has also shared in the general cleaning, and is to be relighted during the operatic season without being lowered, as it would then obstruct the view of the stage from the galleries. New coir matting has been laid down throughout the whole of the dress circle and its lobbies, in the entrance hall of the theatre, etc. This substance is warmer to the feet, will prevent much of the noise caused by late arrivals in the dress circle, of which audiences have had so much reason to complain. Considerable improvements have been effected in the ventilation of the house, also under the immediate direction of Mr Chester. These consist, especially, in bringing fresh air into the lobbies of the two circles, and also directly into the pit; and in a place of outlet for the heated and foul air, formed in the ceiling of the upper gallery. This, it is expected, will prove effective in removing deteriorated air – whether caused by the large assemblage of people, or by the use of coloured fires, or the discharge of gunpowder on the stage – from all parts of the house.[Manchester Guardian 23 September 1854 page 6]

Reference           Manchester Guardian 23 September 1854 page 6