The Georgian Theatre Royal

Background

This theatre in Richmond, North Yorkshire is the most complete Georgian playhouse that exists in Britain.

Image courtesy of Isis Petroni

As well as shows (which primarily feature travelling theatre groups and local artists), they run theatre tours all the time during tour season each year. It’s also home to a traditional pantomime experience. The pantomimes are essentially replicated scenarios that mimic the Georgian era, down to the audience interaction during the shows.

As well as a playhouse, the venue also sells itself as a wedding venue. Many wedding ceremonies have been executed on the stage as they have a full license for civil marriages on-stage.

It is also a centre for youth projects; the Youth Theatre runs eight sessions per week, offering opportunities for young people in the area who want to get into the showbiz industry – from stagecraft and acting to all other areas of theatre.

Shows

Image courtesy of Ruca Souza

People can go to see performances orchestrated by amateur dramatists, including artists from 1800s style amateur dramatic societies. They also offer musical performances by The Richmond Operatic Society. They run plenty of comedy shows too; these include stand-up comedians who have claimed their fame online. If you’re into music, they occasionally host live musicians, including tribute bands for the artist Sting.

If you’re interested in booking a show, click here to check out the list of show times and dates and book online.

Pantomimes

Throughout all of December each year, a different-themed pantomime takes over the stage.

Image courtesy of Magno Coronel

At The Georgian Theatre Royal, a community knitting campaign is an essential part of the pantomime. They appeal for hand-knitted or crocheted ice creams to be thrown on stage during the show, as a way of mimicking the audience behaviour in the Georgian era. This tradition actually began in 2011 and has become an increasingly wider phenomena. Knitted contributions are received by Richmond from overseas and even as far as Australia!

Theatre Tours

During the tour seasons, the theatre provides experiences that give insight into the history and the secrets of this Georgian playhouse in Britain. The tour will involve discovering the exhibition area, where you will learn about the typical life of a Georgian actor and what life was like in Richmond in the 18th century.

You can check out Britain’s oldest surviving stage scenery at the restored Woodland Scene, go behind the scenes of the theatre, and stand on stage. Moreover, you can explore under-stage and the dressing rooms. You can also take in the views from the exclusive box and top tier seating. Click here to watch their YouTube video to get a taste of what to expect during your tour.

The tours take place every hour between 10-4pm, and you can simply turn up at the box office – no bookings required.

Youth Theatre

At the Georgian Theatre Royal Youth Theatre in Richmond, North Yorkshire, they run many different Youth Theatre sessions every week; eight sessions a week, in fact. During these sessions, young people can gain opportunities in all areas of the theatre industry. Classes and workshops cover a wide range of theatrical skills. All the workshops are aimed at people aged 6-18 years old.

Click here to view the timetable and find out how to get involved.

Weddings

The Georgian Theatre Royal is also a fully-licensed venue for on stage civil marriages and services in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Image courtesy of Katarzyna Dzierżyńska

The venue offers a range of effects to enhance a wedding ceremony, including 19th century style scenery, sound, and light effects. Theatre tickets can be personalised, and guests can receive a local ice cream once the register is signed. There are also on-site bars suitable for champagne receptions, and all guests can have their photograph taken standing on the stage or at the award-winning Friary Gardens opposite the theatre.

Find out more by clicking here.

Accessibility

The venue is an old historic building; a Grade 1 listed building. They have an access plan that covers all areas of accessibility.

The theatre is situated on Victoria Road very near to the town centre of Richmond. It is accessible by foot from the marketplace via Friars Wynd. All of this is on level ground.

The entrances are within walking distance (approx. 50m) off the public motorway. It is possible to drop people off right outside the main entrance. There are a few steps through a manual door, but there is also a more accessible entrance to the left of the main one. This other entrance is more modern and has no steps or gradient to overcome.

Wheelchair users can use the access lift to get from the ground floor to the theatre bar (which is where the tours start at). The access platform lift also serves all the other levels of the auditorium. However, there is no lift access to the exhibition area. Access to this area is achieved from the street outside (it can also be used for the stage and level dressing room). Most parts of the building are wheelchair accessible, but under the stage and the under-stage dressing rooms are not wheelchair accessible. There are in place hearing loops that respond to most devices.

The language used on text screens is clear and the lettering is of high contrast. A PowerPoint presentation of the theatre tour is shared across external organisations for those who cannot access the building at all. This presentation includes visual imagery.

Seating

There are 155 seats altogether in the auditorium. This includes a combination of chairs, benches, and wheelchair spaces. Wheelchair seating is available in the gallery of the auditorium. Two wheelchair spaces are available with room for a companion or carer, both of which are forward-facing. Pushchairs are also welcome; people can leave pushchairs on any of the floors in the building. There is seating available on every floor.

Toilets

An accessible toilet is on the same level as the auditorium gallery, and this accommodates wheelchair users as well. There are no baby-changing facilities available, but there are areas where parents can do baby-changing comfortably and privately.

Autism-Friendly

Naturally lit quiet spaces are located on all floors. There is easy-read signage throughout the building, including signs outside the theatre. Signs inside the building and in the exhibition area include interpretive tools such as information panels, labels, audio information and a short film with subtitles played on a TV screen.

All the trained tour guides are made fully-aware that people benefit from different learning styles, and are capable of adapting their approach accordingly. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions, and they deliver school visit tours with guides who are particularly experienced with children and teaching environments. They can incorporate different learning techniques appropriate to different age groups and capabilities of children. There is an education pack available that is directed at Key Stage Level 2.

Parking

The theatre doesn’t have its own car park, but there is free disc parking in the town centre for up to two hours. The nearest accessible parking is 100 meters from the main entrance. There are three nearby council car parks that have accessible parking.

Public Transport

The nearest bus stop is right outside the Friary Gardens. It’s a brief walk from the main entrance to the theatre. Here, bus services that operate include:

• Number 29 to Darlington
• Number 31a/31b town service via Green Howards and Gallowgate
• Number 34 to Darlington via Scotch Corner
• Number 55 to Northallerton
• 79 service to Barnard Castle
• 825 service to York via Knaresborough, Harrogate and Masham
• The 830/831 Northern Dales bus service round Wensleydale
• 858 bus service Chapel-le-Dale rail station via Catterick
• The 859 service to Ripon and Leyburn
• The x26/27 to Darlington via Catterick

There is no nearby train station in Richmond.

Conclusion

We hope you found this listing helpful in finding accessible venues and attractions in Richmond and North Yorkshire, including theatres. For other things to do in the area, see these listings:

• Kiplin Hall and Gardens in Catterick
• Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle
• Butterfly World in Stockton-on-Tees
• Mother Shipton’s Cave in Knaresborough