Building Name

Theatre Royal (III)

Date
1844 - 1845
Street
Peter Street
District/Town
Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Client
John Knowles
Work
New Build
Status
destroyed by fire
Listed
Grade II

Built to replace Thomas Harrison’s 1803 theatre on Fountain Street, which burnt down in 1844. This third incarnation of the Theatre Royal was designed by Irwin & Chester, altered inside by Edward Salomons in 1875. Built at a cost of £23,000 it forms a splendid classical composition in stone and it is one of the best examples of theatre architecture surviving anywhere in England from the first half of the nineteenth century. A projecting entrance bay has a giant recessed portico with Corinthian columns and pilasters. A central semi-circular arch breaks through into the gable above. Steps lead up to the (altered) entrances, the central one surmounted by a pedimented niche with a statue of Shakespeare after the Westminster Abbey example by Peter Scheemakers. Flanking bays have tall pedimented first floor windows with balconies. The new theatre cost £23,000. Fluted Corinthian columns. Arch and pediment over. A massive water tank was provided in the roof to provide an emergency supply in case of fire. Knowles statue of Shakespeare in Carrara marble set in a niche at first floor level. Manchester’s first outdoor statue. (Knowles other business interests included the running of a marble works). Greek and Roman sources for the design have been widely debated. However, Francis Chester’s association with Bath have been overlooked.

Altered: 1875. Edward Salomons. The Builder 1875:829. Converted into a cinema: 1923.

Reference: The Manchester Guardian Wednesday October 1 1845