Theatre Royal, Brighton
| Theatre Royal, Brighton | |
|---|---|
 Panoramic view of the theatre from stage. | |
| Address | New Road |
| City | Brighton |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Designation | Grade II listed |
| Owned by | Ambassador Theatre Group |
| Capacity | 952 (4 levels) |
| Type | Proscenium |
| Opened | 1807 |
| Years active | 205 |
| Rebuilt | 1854 |
The Theatre Royal, Brighton is a theatre in Brighton, England, United Kingdom presenting a range of West End and touring musicals and plays, along with performances of opera and ballet. In recent years, catering to a wider demographic, The Theatre Royal Brighton has chosen to offer an alternative to the traditional Christmas pantomime which it historically played, replacing the shows with big hits such as Priscilla Queen of the Desert (2013), The Rocky Horror Show (2012), and Spamalot (2011), which everyone, not just young children, can enjoy.
History
In 1806 the Prince of Wales gave Royal Assent for the theatre to be built and it opened on 27 June 1807, with a performance of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. It struggled with mixed fortunes until the theatre was purchased in 1854 by actor Henry John Nye Chart, who engaged theatre architect Charles J. Phipps to begin a programme of expansion and redevelopment.
The theatre improved its reputation and finances, becoming a respected venue. When Henry John Nye Chart died in 1876 his wife took over and continued the success as one of the first female theatre managers.
Present
Since 1999 the theatre has been owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. In 2007 the theatre celebrated its 200th anniversary with a visit from Queen Elizabeth II who renamed a box after herself.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Theatre Royal, Brighton. |
Coordinates: 50°49′24″N 0°08′22″W / 50.82333°N 0.13944°W
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