Prince's Theatre

Park Row,
Bristol, BS1

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Additional Info

Architects: Frank Matcham, Charles John Phipps

Firms: Frank Matcham & Company

Styles: Baroque

Nearby Theaters

Prince's Theatre

The Theatre Royal was opened on 14th October 1867 with “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare. It was considered an ‘up-market’ theatre. It was designed by noted theatre architect C.J. Phipps of Bath. Seating was provided in orchestra stalls, pit stalls, dress circle balcony and gallery levels.

Tragedy struck on 27th December 1869, when a crowd of over 2,000 rushed the doors of the theatre trying to gain access into the unreserved seating in the pit stalls and gallery levels, plus eight private boxes.. As some stumbled and fell they were crushed and trampled upon, when someone then yelled ‘fire’, causing the crowd to panic and they turn to run out of the building. The death toll was 18, mostly teenagers.

The Theatre Royal was re-named Prince’s Theatre from 4th August 1884. In June 1889, the theatre was closed for five weeks, for redecoration by the Plaster Decorating Company of the Strand, London, and for alterations to the gallery to the plans of noted theatre architect Frank Matcham. Further alterations were carried out in 1902, again to plans by Frank Matcham.

Pantomimes were popular productions around Christmas. In February 1913, the Prince’s Theatre was converted into a full time cinema. By 1915, it had reverted back to live theatre use, and this continued until May 1940, when the Prince’s Theatre was destroyed by German bombs.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on May 30, 2012 at 3:42 pm

There is an extensive theatrical history of the Prince’s Theatre in Bristol with pictures and programmes at this website.

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore on June 4, 2013 at 2:25 am

In Wolverhampton in the UK. There is a very fine example of C J Phipps work “The Grand Theatre” Most of the original design is intact..

rivest266
rivest266 on August 31, 2021 at 9:50 am

Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 31, 2021 at 9:55 am

also posted the article about the 1869 deadly incident.

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