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Winter Gardens History - Opera House Theatre | |
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The Winter Gardens’ present theatre
is actually the third Opera House to have been built on the site. The
first, designed by famous theatre architect Frank Matcham, was named
‘Her Majesty’s Opera House’ and opened with Gibert & Sullivan’s new
opera ‘Yeomen of the Guard’ on June 10th 1889. The 2,500 seat theatre cost a grand total of £9,098 to build. In November 1910, the Opera House closed for rebuilding. It's larger replacement, by architects Mangnall and Littlewood, was formally opened nine months later. The second Opera House was demolished 27 years later and in it's place was erected the present 3,000 seat building. Possessing the largest stage in the country, it was designed in a modernist style with a sweepingly curved proscenium. The Opera House was opened on July 14th 1939 by Jessie Matthews and her husband Sonnie Hale, followed by the revue ‘Turned Out Nice Again’ starring George Formby. In 1955 a Royal Variety Performance, the first outside London, was given for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. A period-style Royal box was constructed for the occasion. |
 The Grand Foyer of the 1911 Opera House. |
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 The Royal box (now removed) which was constructed for the Queen’s visit in 1955 |
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