Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen
Encyclopedia
The Tivoli Theatre, Guild Street, in Aberdeen
, Scotland
, opened in 1872 as Her Majesty's Theatre and was built by the Aberdeen Theatre and Opera House Company Ltd, under architects James Matthews of Aberdeen and C.B. Phipps, a London
-based architect brought in to consult. The auditorium was rebuilt in 1897 by theatre architect Frank Matcham
, but then closed temporarily in 1906, following the opening of the larger His Majesty's Theatre
. The smaller theatre was extensively reconstructed in 1909, again by Frank Matcham, and re-opened in July 1910 as the Tivoli. The Tivoli was refurbished again in 1938.
The theatre became a bingo hall in 1966. In the mid 1980s plans were made to improve the bingo-oriented facilities and the building, but little was actually done. The building finally closed for bingo in 1998 and has remained disused since.
Since 2000 the building has been in private hands, and attempts by the Tivoli Theatre Trust to purchase the building have been unsuccessful, . In April 2006, some cosmetic preservative work was observed at the building.
On 10 July 2009, the owner of the Tivoli Theatre decided to sell the property to Mr Brian Hendry. On 16 July 2009 during a meeting with the Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Trust, Mr Hendry outlined his intention to operate the Tivoli Theatre on a profit-making basis as a mid-scale venue with ancillary facilities, through the Tivoli Theatre Company Ltd.. The building is currently being restored. The reopening is being funded by many businesses.
The Tivoli is listed on the Scottish Civic Trust's Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.
"In 1795 the Theatre Royal, seating 600, was created in Marischal Street by Stephen Kemble
, brother of the actor John Philip Kemble
. Eminent performers included Charles Macready and Charles Keen. The theatre flourished until 1872 when it was replaced by Her Majesty's Opera House, later the Tivoli, in Guild Street."
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, opened in 1872 as Her Majesty's Theatre and was built by the Aberdeen Theatre and Opera House Company Ltd, under architects James Matthews of Aberdeen and C.B. Phipps, a London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based architect brought in to consult. The auditorium was rebuilt in 1897 by theatre architect Frank Matcham
Frank Matcham
Frank Matcham was a famous English theatrical architect. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery.-Early career:...
, but then closed temporarily in 1906, following the opening of the larger His Majesty's Theatre
His Majesty's Theatre
His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen is the largest theatre in north-east Scotland, seating more than 1400. The theatre is sited on Rosemount Viaduct, opposite the city's Union Terrace Gardens. It was designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1906...
. The smaller theatre was extensively reconstructed in 1909, again by Frank Matcham, and re-opened in July 1910 as the Tivoli. The Tivoli was refurbished again in 1938.
The theatre became a bingo hall in 1966. In the mid 1980s plans were made to improve the bingo-oriented facilities and the building, but little was actually done. The building finally closed for bingo in 1998 and has remained disused since.
Since 2000 the building has been in private hands, and attempts by the Tivoli Theatre Trust to purchase the building have been unsuccessful, . In April 2006, some cosmetic preservative work was observed at the building.
On 10 July 2009, the owner of the Tivoli Theatre decided to sell the property to Mr Brian Hendry. On 16 July 2009 during a meeting with the Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Trust, Mr Hendry outlined his intention to operate the Tivoli Theatre on a profit-making basis as a mid-scale venue with ancillary facilities, through the Tivoli Theatre Company Ltd.. The building is currently being restored. The reopening is being funded by many businesses.
The Tivoli is listed on the Scottish Civic Trust's Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.
Predecessors
A plaque erected by Aberdeen City Council at Theatre Lane states:"In 1795 the Theatre Royal, seating 600, was created in Marischal Street by Stephen Kemble
Stephen Kemble
George Stephen Kemble was a successful theatre manager, British actor, writer, and a member of the famous Kemble family....
, brother of the actor John Philip Kemble
John Philip Kemble
John Philip Kemble was an English actor. He was born into a theatrical family as the eldest son of Roger Kemble, actor-manager of a touring troupe. His elder sister Sarah Siddons achieved fame with him on the stage of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane...
. Eminent performers included Charles Macready and Charles Keen. The theatre flourished until 1872 when it was replaced by Her Majesty's Opera House, later the Tivoli, in Guild Street."
External links
- The Tivoli Theatre Trust
- Tivoli Theatre regeneration
- Panoramas of the Tivoli Theatre (QuickTime required)