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Harrogate Theatre
Proscenium arch
Built just before the turn of the century, Harrogate Theatre opened on 11 January 1900 with a charity gala in aid of British soldiers fighting the Boer War in South Africa. This was followed on 13 January 1900 by Mr J Tully’s pantomime, “Dick Whittington”.
Known as The Grand Opera House, the theatre was designed by architect, Frank Tugwell, who also designed the Futurist Theatre in Scarborough and the Savoy Theatre in London. The theatre incorporated many of the latest safety features, a fire-proof curtain which could be lowered between the stage and the auditorium, fire extinguishers and a sprinkler system. The stairs and corridors were constructed of stone, which made them fire proof.
The theatre was lavishly decorated with gilded plasterwork mouldings and boasted hot and cold running water in the dressing rooms and electric lighting. The carved frieze in the foyer was not part of the original décor, sculpted by Frances Darlington, it depicts themes from drama and literature and is thought to have been added shortly before 1911.
The remaining public stairwells were redecorated to match the colours of the lower foyer which was completed the year before to evoke the original colour scheme from the Theatre's opening in 1900. Alongside this new chandeliers were specially cast to match those in the main auditorium.
In Summer 2009, the third phase of refurbishment took place which saw the Circle Bar completely renovated and many of its original features restored.
Over the last one hundred and seven years many famous names of stage and screen have trod the boards at Harrogate Theatre; Trevor Howard, Charlie Chaplin, Sarah Bernhardt, Arnold Ridley, Brian Murphy, Kate O’Mara, Martin Shaw, John Noakes and Ben Kingsley to name a few.
