King's Theatre, Glasgow
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You can help Wikipedia by removing peacock terms.
The King's Theatre in Glasgow is one of Scotland's most historic and significant theatres. It was designed by theatre architect Frank Matcham and opened in 1904. The theatre is open throughout the year and hosts musicals, drama, comedy and pantomime.
The theatre is currently run by the Ambassador Theatre Group, while Glasgow City Council still owns the building.
Contents |
[edit] Location
The theatre stands on a prominent site with two facades on the corner of Bath Street and Elmbank Street in the West End of Glasgow City Centre.
297 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4JN
[edit] History
The King's Theatre was commissioned by theatre company Howard & Wyndham at a cost of over £50,000. Even though the theatre industry was booming, some residents of the Charing Cross area objected to the construction of the theatre because they saw theatres as blasphemous places.[citation needed] Despite this opposition construction went ahead and the theatre opened on the 12th September 1904.
During the 1930s big names from the West End were presented almost every week. It had been the theatre's policy to close during the summer while many city residents headed to the coast for their holidays, but this all changed in 1933 when Stewart Cruikshank decided to experiment with a summer show, something rather like seaside entertainment. The show started at half past eight, was shorter and thus was cheaper than the average show. The first such show was on the 5th June 1933, and was titled the Half Past Eight Show. This summer tradition continued until 1954, when Howard and Wyndham also acquired the Alhambra Theatre. This was much larger than the King's and the summer variety shows were transferred there. However the traditional King's Theatre annual pantomime remained unchanged. These lavish pantomimes were produced by Charles and Ilona Ross and they used, for example, ballet dancers, real horses pulling Cinderella's carriage, elaborate sets and costumes, smoke effects, trap doors and music. These performances delighted generations of children, and still do.
Over the years many great actors and actresses have graced the stage of The King's. These included Sir Lawrence Olivier, Sarah Bernhardt, John Gielgud, Katharine Hepburn and Tyrone Power
In 1967 Howard and Wyndham sold the King's Theatre to the Glasgow Corporation to finance their ever more elaborate Five Past Eight shows (the name changed after the war when the show started earlier). This may have been an act which secured the theatre for the future, as this was the time when many theatres were closing. The pantomime then became subsidised by the City Council, and starred Scottish variety greats such as Stanley Baxter, Jimmy Logan and Rikki Fulton. In 1990 when the City of Glasgow became the European City of Culture, the theatre was to be the venue for the opening, and so underwent a programme of refurbishment to bring it up to a high standard for this event.
In 2002 the theatre's management was transferred to the Ambassador Theatre Group, who also now manage the Theatre Royal, Glasgow.
In 2004, the theatre celebrated its centenary, and a special documentary on the theatre was broadcast on BBC1 Scotland on 31st January 2003. The programme was presented by Elaine C Smith and featured interviews with Gerard Kelly, Stanley Baxter, Paul O'Grady, Tony Roper, Nicholas Parsons and Johnny Beattie
In 2005 pantomime production was transferred to the Ambassador Theatre Group company, First Family Entertainment.
As of 2007, the theatre hosts a variety of productions, including amateur dramatics, and the traditional annual pantomime, which is one of the biggest in the UK, continues to be the highlight of the season.
[edit] The Building
Frank Matcham made good use of the prominent corner site in designing the two facades of the building. An iron canopy stood around the front of the building which was later removed. The facade on Bath Street is a mix of styles, with influences of Baroque and Art Nouveau in red Dumfriesshire sandstone. A pair of two storey pavilions stand at either end of the elevation, one providing access to the main foyer while the other stands above the stage door area. The pavilions are topped with ball finials. Originally a female statue stood on top of either pavilion, but these were taken down during the war and were never returned.
The Stalls and Grand Circle are accessed via the main foyer which, although small, is impressive with its barrel vaulted ceiling, red carpets, heavy marble, decorative ceilings and plasterwork. The Upper Circle is accessed via a door to a stairwell on the far left of the building on Bath Street. The Gallery is accessed via a staircase at the back of the building with its own entrance on Elmbank Street.
The auditorium seats 1,785 on four levels. The ceiling paneling fans out from a single centre ceiling rose. The proscenium is surrounded by heavy marble and plasterwork borders. Above the proscenium an elegant design with cherubs, a crown and a K/T emblem provides a focal point to the theatre when the curtain is down. The red curtain has simple gilding, but often remains unseen as it is unused for many of today's productions. The seats and drapes are of a rich red material. The safety curtain features a painted design of drapes, and framed in the centre is a projection screen. The three curved balconies have no supporting pillars to ensure every seat in the house has a good view. At Grand Circle level two boxes on either side of the auditorium continue where the grand circle balcony finishes. A further box (now disused) is located at Upper Circle level above this, with an elaborate domed canopy. Three domed alcoves sit along either side of the upper circle. Comedian and actor Billy Connelly famously described it as 'like performing inside a wedding cake".[citation needed]
The modern canopy which dated from the 20th century, was removed in 2004 and the external brickwork and features were refurbished as the red sandstone had become very dark and weather beaten. To compliment the architecture, the exterior is now lit with coloured lights and the building now stands out amongst its neighbours on Bath Street.
As of 2006 some of the interior has fallen into a poor state of repair. The theatre however has completed some refurbishment works on the exterior and has hinted at further works inside including re-seating of the auditorium.[citation needed]
[edit] Contact Details
The King's Theatre
297 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4JN
Box Office: 0870 060 6648
[edit] Sources
- Book - Scotland's Splendid Theatres - ISBN 0-7486-6261-8
- Book - Guide to British Theatres - ISBN 0-7136-5688-3
[edit] Other Areas of Interest
Webpages:
Video:
The theatre has been used for a number of recorded live performances:-
- Francie & Josie - 1988 'King's High' - A 89 minute video. A 30 minute version was broadcast on BBC Scotland on some occasions. This is now available on DVD.
- Francie & Josie - Final 'Farewell' Performance. Available on VHS and DVD.
- Chewin the Fat Live - Live performance of the hit BBC Scotland Sketch Show
