Gaiety Theatre, Peter Street

The theatre, which had first opened as the Comedy Theatre in 1884 was extensively rebuilt to Frank Matcham's designs to provide a repertory theatre for Miss A E F Horniman It re-opened as the Gaiety on 11 April 1908. Proscenium opening 25ft, stage depth 27ft, stage width 63ft (1910).

Last Wednesday we were permitted to pay a 'flying visit' to the Gaiety and form an opinion as to the transformation that has been in progress three months, and must be completed in time for the reopening of the theatre to night. The whole of the interior has been gutted out and reformed. Entering the theatre from the vestibule there is absolutely nothing left to recall the old Gaiety Theatre. It is virtually an entirely new theatre, and will be the most comfortable in the province. We tried seats in all parts of the house, even to the top row in the gallery, and the stage was fully visible from every point, and the seats cosy and roomy, and each one separated by arm rests. We were particularly struck with the metamorphosis of the gallery, and we predict that it will speedily become a more popular part of the house than in the old and bad days. There will be no crushing and squeezing and pushing, and attendants shouting to angry people to 'close up', 'sit closer' and soon, an irritating process that is pursued in all our theatres in regard to the pit and gallery, and there will be no 'early doors' on busy nights. This last change is entirely for the best, and will be heartily appreciated. Every seat in the house is numbered, and can be booked at any time weeks in advance. [Manchester Programme, 7 September 1908]

THE NEW GAIETY THEATRE - Miss Horniman has taken no half-measures in her reconstruction of the Gaiety Theatre.  The alterations amount almost to the rebuilding of the auditorium which Is now scarcely recognisable. The object in view was, of course, to make all parts of the theatre good for seeing and hearing, and this- has undoubtedly been achieved. The upper circle and gallery have been rebuilt on the cantilever system, doing away with the supporting columns. The gallery has been cut back, showing less projection over the upper circle, besides being slightly lowered, with less rake to the seats. It is now as comfortable as most of the upper circles in Manchester. The columns in the pit have been reduced to a minimum thickness.  The boxes have been entirely reconstructed. There are now eight, of which four are comfortable and command good view of the stage. Separate " tip-up" seats are provided in all parts of the house with the exception of the gallery, which has continuous seats with rail divisions. It is already well known that all the seats are reversible. The refreshment bar in the upper circle. has been removed. It is a pity that a few stalls have not been sacrificed so as to give a passage down the centre, as is the case in the pit stalls and pit, and one or two should certainly be removed to allow of freer access at the right- hand side facing the stage. This, however, is not a great matter, and the architects, Messrs F. Matcham and Co., are to be congratulated upon their success in overcoming the disabilities of the old building and producing a thoroughly comfortable auditorium. So much has been given to us for our bodily comfort that it was perhaps too much to expect an interior of first-class design. It must be confessed that the building shows little advance upon the old marble and plush of theatre decoration either in the way of refinement of detail or of restraint in the use of mouldings and ornament. We do not like the trivial band of tile ornament above the pit dido, and do not care very much for imitation marble. It must be said, however, that the colour scheme in white and red is admirable, and the absence of meretricious gilding ls particularly refreshing. The hypercritical will perhaps object to the Roman Doric frieze on the top of the Greek Ionic capitals, but, most people will think it looks very nice. After all, the play’s the thing, and Miss Horniman has a fine theatre wherein to catch a large audience and hold ii very comfortably. [Manchester Guardian 7 September 1908 page 5]