Theatre Royal, Chatham.

#1

Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 7:39am

Don't you wish you had a few pennies or won the Lottery!







This little gem comes down in the next few weeks.
Its been declared as unsafe and the road around has now had to be closed for safety reasons.
Opened 100 years ago this year it was only closed down 4 years ago but it looks like 40 years since someone stepped inside.

#2

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 7:51am

It looks tiny. How many did it seat? What sort of shows were presented there?

#3

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 7:54am

It took in a lot of the small touring plays and mixed it with one nighters. it was only open a few months a year.
Originally opened with 1700 seats but in later years with safety being considered it went to a normal 900.

Updated On: 4/22/09 at 07:54 AM

#4

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:01am

I was expecting you to say 250.

#5

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:04am

This is the replacement venue.




The Central Theatre was converted into a full working theatre from the old Chatham Town Hall.
Seating 1000.

Updated On: 4/22/09 at 08:04 AM

#6

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:14am

Sad that this happens to once great theatres. A friend of mine directed a production of Follies a few years ago in a run-down old theatre in Swansea (The Palace) and the theatre itself became the set. That would be even more appropriate with this one in Chatham as it's about to be knocked down just like the Weisman theatre in the show.

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THEATRE 2020: CURTAINS**** LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS***** WICKED***** KEITH RAMSAY TAKING NOTES WITH EDWARD SECKERSON***** KAYLEIGH MCKNIGHT CONCERT***** RAGS***** ON MCQUILLAN'S HILL** DEAR EVAN HANSEN***** THE JURY***

#7

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:15am

The Royal looks like a double fronted shop - I can't see where everyone would sit. Sad to say but the replacement still looks like a Town Hall.

#8

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:17am

I remember The Palace Bob!
(Wink Wink)

Updated On: 4/22/09 at 08:17 AM

#9

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:20am

You were there when the Palace first opened as a music hall, right? LOL

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THEATRE 2020: CURTAINS**** LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS***** WICKED***** KEITH RAMSAY TAKING NOTES WITH EDWARD SECKERSON***** KAYLEIGH MCKNIGHT CONCERT***** RAGS***** ON MCQUILLAN'S HILL** DEAR EVAN HANSEN***** THE JURY***

#10

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:20am

Me and Tessie O'Shea yea!
Opening bill!

#11

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 8:59am

...and for a few pennies more you could own these two.
The Ryde Theatre

The Shanklin


The two theatres, the The Ryde and The Shanklin, on the Isle Of Wight have gone on sale by the local council.
Their is a clause that they stay in full working use as live venues.

Updated On: 4/22/09 at 08:59 AM

#12

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:02am

All this time mama I thought you were Marie Lloyd. I'll have the Shanklin thanks, though I might have to change its name.

#13

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:05am

Yea I often get mistaken for Ms lloyd but my banjo always gives it away.
( aww, I used to love Tessie O'Shea, bless her. She came to see 'Oliver!' when I did it in the 80s)

#14

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:09am

She was HUGE in the U.S. (No, don't say what I think you are about to say. That would be too obvious).

#15

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:11am

She was never slim in the UK!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu1cLmKogNY

Updated On: 4/22/09 at 09:11 AM

#16

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:14am

I'll let you get away with that one.

#17

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:18am

What did you expect me to say?

She said it herself........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBXihp2cbEI&feature=related

Updated On: 4/22/09 at 09:18 AM

#18

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 9:19am

That made me chuckle out loud!

My word, as a kid I performed with several companies who wanted child actors at the Chatham Central Halls. It's changed just a little since then!

And I also did a stint in Shanklin- have you been stalking me again?

#19

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:27am

This is well strange...this lil theatre is 5minutes round the corner! And i've performed at the Central Theatre many a time :)

i used to always see the Theatre Royal sign picture number 2, and always wondered where the other theatre was..and now it's going!

#20

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:29am

So this is what you do.....
get yourself some strong chains and a good food and water supply and chain your self to the doors. I'll be with as soon as I get back from my hols with backup.

#21

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:35am

I wish i could buy this one of the idiot owner
Hyde Theatre Royal

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Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna

Updated On: 4/22/09 at 11:35 AM

#22

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:36am

http://www.geraldengland.co.uk/gx/troy01.htm

http://www.geraldengland.co.uk/gx/troy05.htm

http://www.geraldengland.co.uk/gx/troy06.htm

http://www.geraldengland.co.uk/gx/troy09.htm

http://www.geraldengland.co.uk/gx/troy10.htm

http://www.geraldengland.co.uk/gx/troy24.htm

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Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna

Updated On: 4/22/09 at 11:36 AM

#23

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:43am

And of course the Tameside Hippodrome which looks like it will be lost forever now due to the idiot council who seem to have closed EVERYTHING down in Ashton

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Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna

#24

re: Theatre Royal, Chatham.

Posted: 4/22/09 at 11:43am

Ah you confused me again then.

This is the Theatre Royal Hyde!

Updated On: 4/22/09 at 11:43 AM