Royal Hall, Harrogate
Encyclopedia
The Royal Hall is a Grade II listed performance hall and theatre
, located in Harrogate
, North Yorkshire
, England.
With local benefactors led by engineering inventor Samson Fox
, the building opened in 1903 as the Kursaal
. Designed by Robert Beale and Frank Matcham
, one of the most prolific theatre architects of his time, it was loosely based the design on the Ostende Kursall in Belgium
. Kursaal is a German language
word which translates literally as “Cure Hall,” but was used for grand receptions and special occasions. A popular form of building in late 19th century European spa destinations, the concept never caught on in the United Kingdom
. Hence as World War I
began, the theatre was renamed the more patriotic "Royal Hall".
In the 1950s, like many theatres converted into a cinema but looking for alternate uses, the venue helped in the formation and growth of Harrogate as a conference and exhibition centre. With modern Harrogate acknowledged as one of the UK’s top event destinations and home to Harrogate International Centre
, by 1997 the Royal Hall needed renovation. In 2000, English Heritage
put the building on the national “buildings at risk” register.
As the only surviving Kursaal in Britain, the Royal Hall is an important national heritage building. The council formed the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, which committed itself to raise £1M towards a £10M estimated restoration cost. Supported by Edward Fox
, a great-grandson of Samson Fox, donations were received from Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate International Centre, and the Heritage Lottery Fund
, with the trust itself raising £2.7M from local benefactors. This allowed for an authentic interior redecoration and the restoration of the Dress Circle. The patron of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, Prince Charles
, led the Hall’s official re-opening on Tuesday 22 January 2008.
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, located in Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, England.
With local benefactors led by engineering inventor Samson Fox
Samson Fox
Samson Fox was a British engineer, industrialist, and philanthropist.-Life and career:Samson Fox was born in Bowling, Bradford, Yorkshire, England, to Jonas and Sarah Fox , and the family moved shortly afterwards to live in nearby Leeds...
, the building opened in 1903 as the Kursaal
Kursaal
Kursaal is an original novel written by Peter Anghelides and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
. Designed by Robert Beale and Frank Matcham
Frank Matcham
Frank Matcham was a famous English theatrical architect. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery.-Early career:...
, one of the most prolific theatre architects of his time, it was loosely based the design on the Ostende Kursall in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. Kursaal is a German language
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
word which translates literally as “Cure Hall,” but was used for grand receptions and special occasions. A popular form of building in late 19th century European spa destinations, the concept never caught on in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Hence as World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
began, the theatre was renamed the more patriotic "Royal Hall".
In the 1950s, like many theatres converted into a cinema but looking for alternate uses, the venue helped in the formation and growth of Harrogate as a conference and exhibition centre. With modern Harrogate acknowledged as one of the UK’s top event destinations and home to Harrogate International Centre
Harrogate International Centre
The Harrogate International Centre is a convention and exhibition centre in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England.It was first opened in 1982 and was notable as the host of the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest and had expanded overtime to include a 2,000 seat conference auditorium and eight exhibition...
, by 1997 the Royal Hall needed renovation. In 2000, English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
put the building on the national “buildings at risk” register.
As the only surviving Kursaal in Britain, the Royal Hall is an important national heritage building. The council formed the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, which committed itself to raise £1M towards a £10M estimated restoration cost. Supported by Edward Fox
Edward Fox (actor)
Edward Charles Morice Fox, OBE is an English stage, film and television actor.He is generally associated with portraying the role of the upper-class Englishman, such as the title character in the film The Day of the Jackal and King Edward VIII in the serial Edward & Mrs...
, a great-grandson of Samson Fox, donations were received from Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate International Centre, and the Heritage Lottery Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund is a fund established in the United Kingdom under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Fund opened for applications in 1994. It uses money raised through the National Lottery to transform and sustain the UK’s heritage...
, with the trust itself raising £2.7M from local benefactors. This allowed for an authentic interior redecoration and the restoration of the Dress Circle. The patron of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, Prince Charles
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
, led the Hall’s official re-opening on Tuesday 22 January 2008.