Theatre Royal is the oldest surviving theatre in Glasgow, the original building dating from 1867 when it opened as Bayliss' Coliseum before being renamed as Theatre Royal in 1869. Perhaps uniquely, it has been rebuilt twice by architect C J Phipps following major fires in 1880 and 1895. Although not as prolific a theatre architect as Frank Matcham, Phipps' style is splendidly represented in this building, regarded as the largest and best surviving example of his work. But don't judge the building from its bland exterior; you have to see the wonderfully ornate auditorium to really appreciate Phipps' work. The building was home to STV's studios for many years, before being sold to Scottish Opera in 1975, and it has been their home stage ever since, and is also the main home to Scottish Ballet's productions as well as being a main-scale house on the UK touring circuit. The stage is not huge by today's standards, but it's still larger than many London theatres and is the largest Glasgow can offer at the moment. The theatre is currently run and programmed by ATG (as is the Kings), so Glasgow is well served by the big touring shows. Currently the building is having a new foyer added at the corner of Hope Street and Cowcaddens in the form of a round tower, which has been a major feat of engineering to fit in with the existing architecture. As part of this refurbishment parts of the auditorium have been altered to something closer to the original design, with old entrance arches and the seating layout restored to improve audience flow and sightlines. Like any theatre, this one has a few ghosts, and like the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, there was a fire-related incident here that resulted in new legislation coming into force. In 1969, when STV moved out of the building into their new premises next door and the theatre was being restored, there was a major fire in the sub-stage area. The fire department tackled this with the then relatively new technique of pumping suppressant foam into the fire. One of the fire officers Archie McLay, working in the darkness of the stage area, fell through the stage floor into the sub-basement of the building - this extends about 20m underneath the stage floor and is carved out of solid bedrock (it was a former quarry), so it was full of foam. He was not reported as missing until the fire was under control, by which time it was too late. Resulting from this dreadful accident, the fire department introduced a 'deadman switch' device to be worn by all officers, which would radio an alarm signal if the officer was stationary for more than a few minutes. This incident is now marked by a stone plaque in the pavement of Hope Street. There have been a few reported sightings of Archie in the sub-basement, and most staff who have occasion to be down there late at night when the building is quiet will report a spooky atmosphere and a feeling like they are being watched by ghostly eyes... read more

Theatre Royal - The Fire Service plaque in Hope Street recording the fire in the building that resulted in the death of Archie McLay. - Performing Arts Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

I'm fairly certain I've seen things here prior to the refurb, but for the life of me I just can't remember. However, since the refurb I've been several times: some plays and operas. And i like it. Vanilla Black's has moved from Sauchiehall St, and is now the resident café for the theatre - and it's turned out to be a handy place for me to pop in for a quick work lunch. The foyer itself is open, spacious, and very welcoming - the spiral staircase is awesome, and is becoming an iconic feature of the theatre. Beyond that, it's functional and does what you expect, and you'll tend to find quite a lot of less populist productions here. The only downside is the extreme pricing at the bar. Seriously, £11 for 2 bottles of cheap lager is disgustingly extortionist. read more

Theatre Royal - Performing Arts Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Theatre Royal is undergoing some renovations at the moment which is the only reason for the 4 stars rather than 5. I'd actually been here once before for the opera but didn't really remember the visit (it was a few years ago!) so it was great to head back to see Scottish Ballet's The Crucible with Ten Poems. I actually had to organise a replacement set of tickets as I managed to lose the set I got in the post, but thankfully this is really easy with ATG tickets and they're available for collection at the box office. The box office isn't very clearly marked but thankfully the lovely staff helped me out and handed over my tickets. It's worth noting that while the renovations are underway, the toilets are currently located on the street (portaloos) - as the weather turns a bit more chilly I'm sure this is going to be less and less appealing! Hopefully there isn't too much longer before the works are completed. We had great seats near the front and enjoyed lots of leg room (I think because we were seated where the orchestra pit normally is). There was pros and cons to sitting this close to the stage - great to hear the squeaks of ballet shoes/feet on the floor and heavy breathing, but for some scenes in the Crucible when there was a lot going on it, we were too close to get the whole view of the stage. Hot tip: for pre or post-theatre drinks, head to the bar at the Citizen M nearby. It's a great, under-appreciated bar with tasty cocktails. read more

Theatre Royal - Performing Arts Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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ROOF TERRACE!!! This is the second time this week I've been to the Theatre Royal and I LOVE it! I've been going since I was LITERALLY a baby in my Mum's arms for The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty ballets...!! The recent have really enhanced the whole place and interior is greatly improved...I'm very glad they haven't messed with the actual auditorium too much; they've cleaned all the ornate cornice and it looks beautiful!! The facade around the exterior of round bit of the new construction looks like a crown at the top: apt! AAAAAANNNNNDDDD The Crown houses the VERRRRRY cool roof terrace, with a wee bar off to the side...the views are SPECTACULAR...there are wee guides to what you're seeing on the walls if the terrace; there are also wee signs warning that the metal facing on the top of The Crown gets hot in the sun-a peril of this week's lovely weather!! One thing I would perhaps sliiiightly moan about is the price of the ice cream and food in the wee cafe...I saw a bog standard sandwich for £4.50...but I suppose that's to be expected...it's not enough to be demoted to a four-starrer, as I really do love this place...and the staff are away extremely friendly and helpful-Him Indoors had a bit of paper left over from his brownie so asked a staffmember where the nearest bin was, she said there was a lack and "I'll take it!"...he said "really...??!" And it she took it, very good of her...! Love a bit of nice service!! read more

Theatre Royal - Roof terrace view in the glorious sunshine... - Performing Arts Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

This being my first visit here, I've decided I really need to come here more often! What a gorgeous building, I absolutely love it. Plus, a bit of culture never hurt anyone! You can imagine my excitement when my boyfriend surprised me with tickets to see To Kill A Mockingbird that was recently on, one of our favourite books! We had gone out for dinner just before the show started and still managed to be a bit early. We were able to walk around the theatre and take in all the sites there were to be seen. All around each level were tid bits of information about what shows have performed, who has made the Theatre Royal what it is, and random (gorgeous) costumes from various shows. We had Balcony seats, which turns out were pretty high up. No worries, we still had full view of the stage and a bit of vertigo to boot. The seats weren't necessarily the most cozy, but the view was spectacular. The theatre itself is gorgeous, any seats would have been perfect. The sold out show made my heart sing, as there were so many people who love this story just as much as we do! My friends and I are eyeing a play showing soon, and can't wait to go back! read more

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I visited the Theatre Royal to see Noel Coward's Private Lives recently. Quite apart from the play being good (I thought it was hilarious) the Theatre itself is lovely. I didn't have much time to explore but the foyer is spacious with lots of seating and a couple of places to get a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and some cake. I was particularly delighted to see that Vanilla Black were serving the coffee and cake - I miss their Sauchiehall Street branch and I had no idea they had one in the theatre. That's almost reason enough to go back by itself. The stage itself is a good size with plenty of comfy seats from which to watch the entertainment - I'd hazard a guess that the capacity is probably a little over 1000. The whole of the interior of the building is very beautiful, apparently after some relatively recent renovations. I tend to choose a play to see, rather than a theatre to see it in, but I'll definitely keep an eye on their listings and I'll try to get back here soon. read more

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This is one of my favourite theatres in Glasgow where I've enjoyed many a night watching theatre, dance and even the opera. It gets the best of the touring shows and Scottish Ballet & Scottish Opera based there. It's the longest running theatre in Scotland and the auditorium is stunning. There are 4 floors and the "gods" are high so not for those who hate heights. Hint: if you've long legs don't go for a front row seat especially in the circles. Hint: not all restricted seats are as restricted in view as others. To get an idea of how restricted they are look at the price of the seat for opera (normally the most expensive shows at this theatre) and the price of the seats around it. Now go back to the show you want to go to and check out those seats again. Love the new foyer with it's squinty spiral staircase and it makes you feel like you're going to have a special night. If you're there early walk along the corridor to your right to see the original foyer & check out the displays of old costumes. Not tried their drink but as a wee ice cream was £4 for a tub I can imagine it's cheaper to abstain. read more

Loved the newly improved Theatre Royal the staircase is a work of art, plenty of bars, toilet facilities and a fabulous roof terrace. The staff were very helpful interval drinks where they were supposed to be and also not overpriced. We saw To kill a Mockingbird, it was a great performance, I heard one patron say she was struggling with the diction, I would have to disagree the accents were spot on, this was an excellent production, with fabulous acting. My Friend and I had a really enjoyable evening, cant wait to see what they offer us next. read more

Theatre Royal - Roof terrace - Performing Arts Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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I rarely go to plays and theatre performances, but when I do, I get extra excited when they are on in here. Likewise with comedy performances. It's on a good location out the way of boozers (a problem often encountered at the Pavilion) and the interior is lush and grand. It still looks fresh and modern, even with an old fashioned interior, largely due to how clean and well kept it is. Good staff, good seats, no arguments. A really nice theatre with a substantial bar that is a bit pricy, as per usual. There's always something on in here, but I rarely get the chance to go unfortunately. read more

Theatre Royal - Performing Arts Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Easily the grandest and most opulent of Glasgow's theatres, the Theatre Royal has a classical Victorian style and tends to host the more high-profile productions when they come to Glasgow. I went to see Equus here, a celebrated 70s play that was recently revived. It explores some of the darkest elements of the human psyche, and features gratuitious nudity and elements of bestiality. I think it was the latter two features that brought in the crowds. read more

Theatre Royal - from official website - Performing Arts Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

The newly-refurbished foyer is amazing - properly impressive with massive sweeping staircases in a big airy space. And it really makes an ageing theatre feel a bit more contemporary, without ruining any of the charm. There are bars outside the auditoriums on each floor and cafes on at least two of the floors. There's also a fantastic outdoor terrace on the top floor from where you get a great view over the rooftops of Glasgow and which I'm sure will be super busy during the summer months. The Theatre Royal was always the more 'serious' of the city centre theatres, home to Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet and 'proper' plays, while the King's Theatre did the musicals. But since ATG have taken over both theatres, they've mixed up the schedules a little and you can now see a wider variety of things here. It's a large theatre and there are areas where your view isn't as good as others but they do try and reflect that in the pricing. If you go often, consider getting an ATG Theatre Card - it's about £30 for the year but you get discounts off some performances and no booking fees when you order online (which can add up if you buy a lot of tickets). My only issue is the price of the drinks - £7.50 for a glass of house wine? And £9 for a glass of non-house wine? Seriously? All those lovely bars but you can only buy a drink if you're rich! Definitely still go as it's a brilliant venue, but don't expect to enjoy many interval drinks :-/ read more

I am a huge fan of the theatre, it's genuinely one of my favourite things to do, however I don't think I'd go and see a show that' not the Ballet in the Theatre Royal. It's beautiful, like outstandingly beautiful and whenever I go I feel the need to be dressed to impressed as well as take a bank loan out to pay for it! When I've been to the Ballet at the Theatre Royal I've always came away in a complete dream world totally convinced I'm going to take up ballet and be on that stage one day, and end up crying in to my pint later about just how wonderful it was to any one who'll listen, but everything thing else I've seen I've left a little less "involved". I thought it was maybe because I adore Ballet however I attend a burlesque show , which I also adore, and actually forgot half the acts by the time I left. I'm not sure if it's because the theatre itself is very regal and for living Glasgow I'd always associate it with ballet, but I would not go and see any other production in it unless it was a treat for someones birthday or other celebration read more

The Theatre Royal is a lovely building and a great place to see a play. It's a Victorian-era theatre, which burned down one more than one occasion, and was remodeled in the 1970s. So it's a Victorian style with all of the modern fittings. Incidentally, this means there are no ladies loos inside the auditorium, and you have to return to the foyer. I don't know, I found the idea of women not being allowed to use public restrooms amusing! ANYWAY, there are bars on every level, and the Theatre Royal Café Bar (which no longer serves food, sadly). Tickets vary in price, especially as there are some posts that obscure the view for the back rows. Be aware of this when you book your tickets, it's worthwhile paying an extra quid or two to get the good seats and a perfect view of the stage. A lovely building for a wonderful night at the theatre (best said in a posh English accent!) read more

One of the "Theatreland" theatres in Glasgow, and one of the oldest. It's currently undergoing renovation, which means that you need to use the toilets in portaloos outside, but don't let that put you off, it'll be done soon. I've been here a few times, once (oddly) for a Henry Rollins spoken word, in the gods, where there was precious little leg room. And just again recently, when we went to see the ballet of Edward Scissorhands. We were in the stalls, and there was plenty leg room, thank goodness, but I did find that the view was a little obstructed by the bottom of the balcony, and the emergency lights were so bright that it did spoil the effect a little. Still but - this is a beautiful theatre, with a wonderful stage and good programming. read more

This was the first time that I had visited the Theatre Royal since the completion of the renovation. Oo-eeee! It's beautiful. A gorgeous, sumptuous spiral staircase with luxurious landings for lounging on prior to the show. It's now so much easier to access the auditorium than via the tiny staircases that previously existed. I arrived far later than expected (damn taxis) so didn't get a chance to check out the bar or have a proper look round, but the bar area looks very nice indeed. They have done an excellent piece of work here, and have really brought a Victorian theatre up to date. I'm also told that there is a fantastic roof-terrace, which I will make sure I visit on my next outing. The auditorium itself seems unchanged to my untrained eye, so there's still the lovely Victorian features, and the creaky seats and limited legroom that is perhaps a little too restrictive for our massive 21st Century human frames. Front of house staff are smiley, helpful and friendly, even at the end of the show, when we emerged blinking and confused, demanding to know WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT DID THAT MEAN? Well, we never really did find out what the symbolism meant - the creepy kids and curtain shaking remain a particular mystery, but I did enjoy my cultural jaunt to the Theatre Royal. read more

Aww, it's just so pretty! I came here last Christmas to see the Scottish Ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty and it was excellent. Not just the ballet - that was grand - but the venue itself is gorgeous! High ceilings, amazing cornicing - the seats seems to be spectacularly high up, and not a poor view in the room can be found. As it is Theatre Royal, the whole place has a 'grand' old fashioned feeling about it, although it is far from dated. It may be expensive drink wise, as Lewis points out, but why would you want to drink when you can just sit back, relax and enjoy? read more

The Theatre Royal is the oldest theatre in Glasgow, originally opened in 1867 although the exterior is true to the original building, there have been three different auditoriums built as the first two were destroyed by fires, rather unlucky. The Theatre Royal feels very grand indeed, the opulent hallway, plush carpets and ushers in suits that guide you to your seats, it's all very formal. The last time I was here I went to see Equus and we arrived late, It was quite embarrassing and I had a last minute panic that we weren't going to be allowed in. Luckily the staff were really nice and sneaked us in, creeping on tip toes all the way. You won't see any pantos here but if you're into ballet then this is your place! read more

The Theatre Royal is the host to all Scottish Ballet ventures, not to mention a large number of high profile plays which roll around and grace our town with their presence. As Eleanor said, this theatre is the oldest in Glasgow, dating from 1867. It's remarkable that is still survives as it has seen two fires in its lifetime, but you wouldn't know from all the refurbishment that has taken place over the years. Its present interior is very regal - rich reds and golds adorn the walls. There's a nice graduation of seats in the stalls also, which never seem to impair the view. The gradual tilt does everyone some favours and you never feel like you're fighting for space. The staff in here are impeccably well spoken and polite, there is a lovely bar to nab a pre-theatre drink in, and the productions hosted here are usually flawless. Although the touring compaies are usually held in much esteem, I have seen a variety of performances in here, including Alan Cumming in the Bacchae to Hairspray singalong! Despite its fancy efforts this is a great place to have a night out at the opera, somewhere to wear your fanciest frocks, sit back and enjoy the show. read more

Friendly, helpful staff. Historic building with a real character. Just don't buy the coffee or drinks, overpriced and generally poor quality. However, am here for the entertainment not the cafe / bar, so 4stars - mostly due to the staff! read more

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A beautiful, traditional theatre! I love the ornate style and it's a good size for bigger productions. There are several bars which helps ease the pain of the dreaded interval bar queue! Unfortunately, there are only a few bathrooms with several toilets meaning long, cramped waits in line. There's also no lift at the moment but they're planning a renovation so hopefully they add one. (There's a lot of stairs! Not convenient for everyone!) Regardless, the Royal makes for a great theatre venue! read more

My most recent visit to the theatre was this week to see Scottish Ballet's Swan Lake. I hadn't been to a show here for years and it was great to return. I'd stopped by a few months back to have a look at the new extension which includes Vanilla Black cafe, the box office, a wonderful spiral staircase and a roof terrace. I like what they've done with the new part of the building, it's modern but still grand. Each floor has glass cases with props and costumes from famous productions which adds to the sense of history, this is the oldest theatre in Scotland. The theatre itself is the same and I wouldn't want it to change even though the seats are a bit uncomfortable! One thing I found on my recent visit was that it was swelteringly hot during the performance. If you're coming to a sold out show don't wear a wooly jumper and bring a fan! read more

Have been to the theatre royal for a good number of their Christmas Ballets. Great night out. Last year we got box seats - although the view wasn't great, it was nice to have your own space (and they are cheaper than any other seats). The toilets and bar are very busy at intervals. Closest parking is in one of the multistorey's nearby - and it pays to pre-pay this before you go in, to save queuing when you come out. read more

The only reason it's not the full 5 is the restricted view seats and ATG over pricing. Wonderful theatre and love the revamp.

fabulous old theatre, i have so many memories of this place as a kid growing up in glasgow, i actuall ysang hee in my school choir too - the last time i went was with a work night out to see francie and josie as the ugly sisters in cinderella. it was donkeys years ago but i bet the grand (and slightly delapidated) building is just the same. been to loads of nice purpose built places and while they may sound better and have better views of the stage, they are just big empty rooms compared to an actual real theatre. read more