Regency Hot Spots: Theatre Royal (Bath)

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The first Bath Theatre was built in 1730 on the site that, by the Regency, would become the General Hospital.  By 1801, Bath’s population had exploded to 33,000 people, which at the time was a large town of significant import.  Theatre Royal, described below, was built in 1805.

The original entrance was from Beauford Square, with a facade designed by George Dance the Younger.

In 1862, a fire would destroy the interior, which would be remodeled with a new entrance set on Sawclose.

the superior walks of Tragedy Finding from the great increase of fashionable company which annually resort to this gay city the Orchard street house too small for the accommodation of its numerous visi ters another superb building was erected The NEW THEATRE ROYAL situated in Beaufort square a more centrical and commodious situation includes every thing which labour talents expense activity and perseverance could combine for convedience and amusement it was built under the direction of that ingenious architect Mr Palmer on an improved plan in which elegance and convenience are happily upiled the superstructure is extremely handsome and the interior finished in the highest taste from the models of the first Theatres in Europe There are three entrances in as many distinct direc tions and the grand front is in Beaufort square the length is about 125 feet 60 wide and 70 high the exterior buildings containing dressing rooms scene roonis wardrobes & c the anti rooms and saloons to the boxes rooms of accommodation to the private boxes which are 26 in number enclosed with gilt lattices taverns & c are very extensive the pillars of cast iron bronzed are placed at a distance of two feet from the front by which the first row of each circle appears as a balcony independent of the main structure and an inconceivable lightness is thus communicated to the tout ensemble The entrance to the private boxes is by a private house part of the
properly connected with the Theatre and they are accommo dated with a suite of retiring rooms The decorations are very splendid the prevailing colour is a deep rich red ornamented with gold The ceiling is richly ornamented with those exquisite paintings by Cassali which were purchased at the cele brated sale at Fonthill The scenery and machinery of every description vie in execution with those of the London Thea tres in fact Plays are performed in this Theatre so uniformly correct and its dimensions not being so enormous as to render the eye and ear at the most remote seat incapable of commanding the business of the stage it may be justly said that greater satisfaction is derived from these performances than can possibly be afforded from the enormous expanse of those of Covent Garden or Drury lane Mr Charlton is the present stage manager and happy may the Patentees think them selves in meeting with so able a representative This Theatre was first opened in October 1805 The days of performauce are in general Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays Messrs Palmer and Dimond have also the lease of the Bris tol Theatre for the term of the patent so that they are enabled by keeping their comedians together who perform during great part of the summer at Bristol three times a week and every Monday during the Bath season to employ a numerous and very respectable company private good conduct as well as professional merit being essential to complete success ou these boards The Original Bath Guide, Considerably Enlarged and Improved, Comprehending Every Species of Information that Can be Required by the Visitor and Inhabitant, Etc. (1811)

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One Response to Regency Hot Spots: Theatre Royal (Bath)

  1. Alix says:
    October 16, 2021 at 10:33 am

    I was wondering recently how much it had changed, as on my last two visits we were once exited via a Beaufort Square route (now bin alley!), and another time had had the good fortune to be moved into a box which gave a very different view/angle to look at the interior decor, compared to looking from the stalls etc.