York Theatre Royal

The York Theatre Royal is a theatre in St. Leonard’s Place, York, England, which dates back to 1744. The theatre currently seats 847 people. This reduced capacity (from 863) takes into account removal of the mixing position seats and the stage side boxes which are normally not sold. It is also home to Pilot Theatre, a national touring company which co-produces its work with the theatre.

History

The York Theatre Royal was built in 1744 on, and among, the site of a medieval hospital, known as St. Leonard’s Hospital [cite web | author=yorktheatreroyal.co.uk| title=History of York Theatre Royal| work= | url=http://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/history.shtml| accessdate= October 1| accessyear= 2006 ] . Parts of the old hospital can still be seen in the modern building, including archways and walls. Under the stage lies a well, which is believed to be dated from the Roman era of York's history [cite web | author=visityork.org| title=Theatre Royal in York factsheet| work= |url=http://www.visityork.org/media/factsheets/Theatre.asp| accessdate= October 1| accessyear= 2006 ] . The 1744 theatre repaced a theatre in Minster Yard, built by Thomas Keregan, with the encouragement of the City Corporation, in 1734. Twenty five years after its construction, in 1769, Tate Wilkinson paid £500 for a Royal Patent, and, accordingly, it was renamed the Theatre Royal. Wilkinson ran a company that included theatres in Hull, Leeds, Pontefract, Wakefield and other Yorkshire towns. His company was reckoned to be the leading provincial company, and he attracted many of the finest actors of the period, including John Philip Kemble and his sister Mrs Sarah Siddons, Mrs Jordan and Miss Farren, to act in York. Since Wilkinson's time the theatre has undergone several renovations and upgrades [cite web | author=yorktheatreroyal.co.uk| title=History of York Theatre Royal| work= | url=http://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/history.shtml| accessdate= October 1| accessyear= 2006 ] . In the late 1800s the theatre was refurbished into the Victorian style, including, in 1880, a new Victorian Gothic frontage, which is decorated with carved heads representing Elizabeth I and characters from Shakespeare’s plays. The latest major redevelopment was an extensive renovation of the theatre, with a new modernist foyer (architect: Patrick Gwynne), in 1967.

Pantomime

One of the highlights of the theatre's annual programme is the pantomime, which for many years has been written and directed by Berwick Kaler, who also stars in the show. The regular returning cast, running jokes and plain old fashioned good humour keep a devoted audience returning year after year from all around the world.

Notes and references

ee also

*Theatre Royal

External links

* [http://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/index.shtml York Theatre Royal's homepage]
* [http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-101/stage-types-proscenium-arch/ www.sceno.org - Website illustrating the Proscenium Arch stage of the York Theatre Royal]