TrustNews Dec 21

The Theatre Royal

Phil Yates reveals some interesting facts about this 171 year old building.

In 1850, the Market lnn was built on the corner of Jewry Street and Tower Street to serve the farming community visiting the cattle market, which was situated between the present day car park and the extension to the public library (originally the Corn Exchange) at the other end of Jewry Street and Tower Street.

In 1912 the hotel was purchased by John and James Simpkins, impresarios of the city, who instructed local architect Bernard Chancellor to draw up plans to convert the hotel into a theatre. His plans were approved by Winchester City Council and the auditorium, stage and fly tower were built.

The Royal Theatre, as it was then known, opened on Bank Holiday Monday, 24th August 1914 as a cine-variety venue. The programmes incorporated music hall acts with short silent films featuring Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton etc. This style of show continued until 1924 when films only were screened.

In June 1974 the then owners, Star Group of Cinemas, closed the premises with a view to demolishing the theatre and building a supermarket on the site. An action group was quickly formed to save the theatre. Luckily the City Council refused to grant a demolition order and a Trust Fund was formed to raise money to purchase the theatre, which they succeeded in doing in 1977. After a band of volunteers tidied up the premises which was in an awful state, the Theatre Royal finally opened on 1st November 1978. The following year the two shops adjoining the theatre came on the market for sale and were purchased by the Trustees to enhance the main building. These are now the entrance to the theatre and the coffee bar with dressing rooms in the rear.

Phil Yates is Hon Historian of the Theatre Royal