Theatre Royal, St Petersgate, Stockport

When William Revill's Theatre Royal, Stockport, was destroyed by fire in August 1887, Elliston persuaded him to engage Frank Matcham for the rebuilding of the theatre on the same site. This theatre is said to have been Matcham's passport to future success as it epitomised all that was best in provincial theatre building. It also appears to have been the first theatre opening at which Matcham’s name was incorporated (as indeed was Revil’s), into the prologue, written by W. I. Wild and spoken by Jenny de Brent before the curtain went up for the first time.

The new theatre has been designed by Mr Frank Matcham, of London, and will accommodate about 2,000 persons. The style of architecture is Italian, and the facade has a very striking appearance, being ornamented with stucco work. There are two alarm balconies accessible from the gallery, each capable of accommodating about 200 people. The means of entry and exit are most complete, and these, together with all the other arrangements, have gained for Mr Revill the congratulations of a body of magistrates who have made an inspection of place. The extreme width of the auditorium is 48ft., and the length, from the rear of the pit to the proscenium, is 60ft. The house will be divided into pit stalls, pit, dress-circle, balcony (in the rear of dress-circle), ampitheatre, and gallery. Instead of wood, fibrous plaster is being used for the fronts of the circle, the amphitheatre, and the boxes, of which there will be one on each side of the stage. The same material will also be used for the decoration of the proscenium, which has an opening of 25ft. square.  The stage is 38ft. deep and is protected by an asbestos cloth curtain. Behind it will be six dressing-rooms and a large room for the supers; the manager's room, lounge, &c., occupy the front part of the building. Mr Douglass, of London, has painted the act-drop, and the other scenery has been in hand for some time. The general tone of the decorations is buff, and the upholstery all through is crimson. Messrs G. Las Casas and Craig, of London, are the decorators.  In the centre of the ceiling is a large sunlight; this, with all other lighting apparatus, being controlled from the stage. Messrs Vaughan and Brown, of London, have supplied the gas fittings. There is a most ample provision of hydrants in direct connection with the street mains, two being behind the proscenium and two available for any other part of the house. Messrs Heathman and Co., of London, have furnished these.  On the whole the work is excellent, and Stockport may he congratulated upon having one of the most handsome and most complete little theatres in the kingdom. The contractors are Messrs Froggatt and Briggs, a local firm. The feature of the theatre is undoubtedly the alarm balconies, which, besides adding to the appearance of the front of the building, will be eminently useful in case of fire, which, however, is most carefully guarded against by every possible precaution. Access to the balconies will be by a system of doors, which, under ordinary pressure, will remain closed, but when exposed to extraordinary force will yield and fly open. [ERA, 2 June 1888]