|
You may be surprised to learn that the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, is far more than just a place to see shows. Of course it does put on a tremendous number of performances but it also works tirelessly with Plymouth schools and colleges and Plymouth charities in helping to educate and entertain those who may not otherwise come into contact with a theatre. As a registered charity itself, the Theatre Royal receives its main funding from Plymouth City Council and Arts Council England.
Plymouth’s Theatre Royal has a wide-ranging Creative Learning programme which provides opportunities for anyone and everyone to become involved in the theatre in a variety of ways. There are three main elements to the programme; Education, which involves working with Plymouth schools, Plymouth colleges, and Plymouth University to improve students’ and teachers’ knowledge of all aspects of theatre work; Community, which engages with those who would not normally become involved with the theatre; and the Young People's Programme, which focuses on children and young adults but outside of a formal educational setting.
Plymouth’s Theatre Royal is the largest regional theatre in the UK and has the best attendance record outside of London. More than any other theatre in the south west of the country, it strongly promotes the arts and produces many of its own shows, as well as launching productions which go on to sell out in the West End.
The main Theatre Royal building on Royal Parade, one of the main streets for Plymouth shops, is not far from the Civic Centre, the home of Plymouth Council offices. It is an impressive modern building with massive glass windows forming a semi-circle along most of the ground floor, which houses the foyer and stalls cafe, and also along the mezzanine (first) floor, where the more formal restaurant, The Mezz, and bar are situated.
Inside are two auditoria: the main theatre accommodates 1,296 people as standard, reduced to 800 when the innovative auditorium ceiling is moved across, and has space for between 18 and 52 musicians in the orchestra pit; the smaller Drum theatre seats only 192. The dressing room area is one of the most luxurious of all the regional theatres.
The main auditorium of the Theatre Royal provides a wide variety of performances, including plays, comedy acts, musicals, opera, ballet, and modern dance. Major tours are often started in Plymouth and the theatre has played host to such distinguished opera and dance companies as Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, Glyndebourne On Tour and Welsh National Opera. The Theatre Royal also stages shows it has produced itself, particularly plays and musicals. These are often produced in conjunction with other commercial or charitable organisations and many go on to tour the UK and end with a run in the West End of London.
|
When Pete Townshend of The Who was launching the hit show Quadrophenia at Plymouth’s Theatre Royal in 2009, he was full of praise for the facility, saying “TR2 is a very large rehearsal stage with natural light, a view of the water that does not distract (unless you want it to), supported by workshops and expert technicians of all kinds, an incredible wardrobe department, excellent and very fattening catering, easy parking and access and two smaller stages of equal style, with lovely level dancing floors. All the time I have been working there recently I have had the pleasure of seeing young people rolling in and out on educational programmes, all of them glancing sideways at what is going on in TR2 where actors only a few years older than they are singing and dancing like young gods. The whole building vibrates with hope and excitement.”
|
| Over the next 50 years, however, attendance at the Theatre Royal continued to drop steadily, mainly due to the concomitant rise in the new and exciting era of cinema. The George Street Theatre Royal was finally demolished in 1937 and a new cinema, known as the Royal, was built in its place, opening the following year. Ironically, an even more exciting revolution in the world of media, the television, led to a similar decline in cinema audiences, and the Royal was partly converted back into a theatre again. Renamed the ABC Plymouth in 1958, live shows were still held there for some years. Today the site houses a three-screen cinema, Reel Plymouth, which boasts the largest cinema auditorium in Plymouth with 582 seats. |
Accommodation
Art and Entertainment
Automotive
Beauty
Charities
Community Clubs
Education
Estate Agents
Fastfood
Health and Medical
Heritage and Attractions
Leisure and Fitness
Local Services
Nightlife
Pets
Professional Services
Public Services and Government
Pubs And Bars
Religious Organisation
Restaurants
Shopping
Sports Clubs
Tradesman
Travel
