The Theatre Royal on New Street (1774 to 1956)
If you ever visit Superdrug, Bella Italia or Boots on New Street, were you aware that they are on the site of the Theatre Royal? It existed from 1774 until it was demolished in 1956 (with a couple of redevelopments in it's almost 200 years of existence). It was replaced from 1958 to 1964 by the Woolworth / Charters Building (refurbished in 1990) and Platform 21 (from 2020-21).
Theatre Royal - New Street, Birmingham (1774 - 1956)
What is now Platform 21 (formerly the called the Charters Building, and previously the Woolworth Building) was built on the site of the Theatre Royal, which existed on New Street from 1774 until 1956. It was rebuilt a couple of times following fires. A pair of plaques of William Shakespeare and David Garrick were saved (during the 1956 demolition of the theatre) and are now at the Library of Birmingham. The only indication on New Street now of the theatre existing is a blue plaque from the Birmingham Civic Society (between Superdrug and Bella Italia).
dndimg alt="Theatre Royal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Theatre Royal 1774 1956.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Details below taken from the Arthur Lloyd webpage on The Theatre Royal, New Street, Birmingham.
There has been four theatres in total on the site of 102 New Street between 1774 and 1956 (a period of 182 years).
New Theatre, New Street (1774 - 1792)
The first theatre opened in June 1774, was called the New Theatre. Built for Richard Yates, the architect was called Saul. A new façade added in 1780 and portico designed by Samuel Wyatt, which survived until 1902, despite the rest of the building being destroyed by fire twice.
Theatre Royal, New Street (1794 - 1820)
There was a fire at the theatre in 1792. After the fire, the theatre was completely rebuilt by 1794 by George Saunders and Charles Norton, except for the Wyatt façade which survived the fire of 1792. This would be the second theatre on the site. The theatre changed it's name to the Theatre Royal in 1807 when a Royal Patent was granted to the theatre.
dndimg alt="Theatre Royal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/1965V22141 Theatre Royal New Street Birmingham.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Lithograph - Theatre Royal, New Street, Birmingham, 1805. Lithographer: T Woodfall. Birmingham Museums Trust
Theatre Royal, New Street (1820 - 1902)
Sadly the Theatre Royal, New Street was destroyed by another fire, this time during January 1820. The theatre was rebuilt again by 1820, making it the third theatre on the site, this time designed by the architect Samuel Beazley, who replaced everything behind Samuel Wyatt façade.
The only changes after this was in 1875 with alterations to the stage and auditorium, and then in 1885 there was more alterations to the building. Then a refurbishment in 1898 by the architect Frank J. Bill.
dndimg alt="Theatre Royal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/1965V22132 Theatre Royal Birmingham.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Engraving - Theatre Royal, New Street, Birmingham.1820 rebuild. Artist: Thomas Radclyffe. Birmingham Museums Trust
Theatre Royal Plaques
In 1902 the third Theatre Royal was completely demolished, to make way for a new theatre on the same site. A small part of the 1820 theatre survives in the form of a a pair of plaques of William Shakespeare and David Garrick. They were at Birmingham Central Library (until 2013) but are now located at the Library of Birmingham.
The Theatre Royal Plaques were on display at the Library of Birmingham, in the Gallery back in 2016, during an exhibition called Our Shakespeare, which commemorated the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Garrick was on the left, while Shakespeare was on the right.
dndimg alt="Theatre Royal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OS Theatre Royal LoB (Apr 2016) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Theatre Royal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OS Theatre Royal LoB (Apr 2016) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Theatre Royal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OS Theatre Royal LoB (Apr 2016) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Theatre Royal, New Street (1904 - 1956)
The fourth theatre opened in December 1904, it was the last Theatre Royal to be on the site. This one was designed by Ernest Runtz with a new frontage designed in the Adam Style. It was built for Theatre Royal Birmingham Ltd. The building was five stories in height. The New Street façade was built in Monk's Parkstone in the semi-Classic style of George III. Above the upper story was a series of bronze figures representing Comedy, Industries, Charity, Justice, Science and Tragedy. The Theatre Royal closed it's doors for the last time in December 1956. Demolition began shortly after it closed for good.
dndimg alt="Theatre Royal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City Theatre Royal New St.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Theatre Royal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City Interior Theatre Royal New St.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />The Theatre Royal, New Street, early 20th century (date unknown). Photographer unknown. Public domain.
The Shakespeare Tavern (1774 - 1904)
Underneath the theatre was a bar called the Shakespeare Tavern, also known as the Brags' Vaults. This was in existence since the very first theatre on the site (1774) and remained until the rebuild of 1904 (at one point known as the Pit Bar of the Theatre Royal). It later moved to Lower Temple Street, where a Neo-Georgian pub called The Shakespeare was built. This was built from 1910 to 1911 by the architect Arthur Edwards. Before it was built, the theatre ran to Lower Temple Street. At one point The Shakespeare was run by Mitchells & Butlers, later by Nicholson's.
dndimg alt="The Shakespeare" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Shakespeare Lower Temple Street old facade (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Woolworth Building / Charter Building (1962 / 1964 - 1990 / 2020)
An office building called the Woolworth Building was later built on the site. It was designed by Cotton, Ballard & Blow, and built in two parts. The east side from 1958 to 1962 for Woolworths. The west side from 1962 to 1964 for Jack Cotton & Partners. It was made of Portland stone, mosaic cladding and green slate. The building was up to ten stories high. In 1990 there was a refurbishment by Temple Cox Nicholls. This included a glass lift. It is now known as the Charters Building. Retailers on the ground floor include Superdrug, Bella Italia and Boots. The Birmingham Civic Society blue plaque is located between Superdrug and Bella Italia.
dndimg alt="Charters Building" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Charters TR (Mar 2014).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Charters Building" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Charters TR (Jan 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Bella Italia" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bella Italia Theatre Royal (Aug 2015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Platform 21 (2021 to present)
The offices at 102 New Street were renovated again, this time during 2020 to 2021 at 23 Stephenson Street. The development was called Platform 21. Grade A office space up to 112,000 Square Ft. HM Government Civil Servants moved into the building near the end of 2021. It was renamed from Charters to Platform 21 in 2016. Workers will probably not be aware that they are at the former site of the Theatre Royal or a Woolworths store (which moved off site at one point into the Pallasades until it closed for good in 2008). Architects was Associated Architects. The client was Evenacre and LaSalle Investment Management.
dndimg alt="Platform 21" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Platform 21 (Sep 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Platform 21" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Platform 21 (Dec 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Platform 21" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Platform 21 (Dec 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Historic images of Theatre Royal from the Birmingham Museums Trust Digital Image Resource.
Early 20th Century photos via Phil of the Birmingham History Forum (2011).
21st Century photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown