Theatre Royal, Windsor
Encyclopedia
The Theatre Royal, Windsor is located in the town of Windsor
, Berkshire
, England
, directly across the road from Windsor Castle
.
The present building was opened on 17 December 1910 after the previous theatre had burned down on 18 February 1908, under the ownership of Sir William Shipley.
With the coming of talking pictures, the theatre was turned into a cinema in 1929. Beginning in 1931 John Counsell (1905-1987) made several attempts to return the theatre to its roots, and by 1938 managed to form what became arguably England's best known repertory
theatre with a standing company of actors, becoming a great success when members of the nearby Royal Family
, when in residence at Windsor Castle
, decided to attend. He and his actress wife Mary Kerridge
worked ceaselessly for this theatre, which remained unsubsidized
, until his retirement in 1986, the year before his death. The theatre became known as a tryout
date for productions heading for the West End
, and also started many a future star's career.
Sir Peter Hall staged his first professional play at the theatre in 1953, the same year that he graduated from Cambridge University
.
In 1997, the West End
impressario Bill Kenwright
took over the management of the theatre.
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, directly across the road from Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
.
The present building was opened on 17 December 1910 after the previous theatre had burned down on 18 February 1908, under the ownership of Sir William Shipley.
With the coming of talking pictures, the theatre was turned into a cinema in 1929. Beginning in 1931 John Counsell (1905-1987) made several attempts to return the theatre to its roots, and by 1938 managed to form what became arguably England's best known repertory
Repertory
Repertory or rep, also called stock in the United States, is a term used in Western theatre and opera.A repertory theatre can be a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation...
theatre with a standing company of actors, becoming a great success when members of the nearby Royal Family
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
, when in residence at Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
, decided to attend. He and his actress wife Mary Kerridge
Mary Kerridge
Mary Kerridge was an English actress, married to John Counsell, the managing director of the Theatre Royal, Windsor, with whom she worked at the theatre for many years. Their daughter is actress Elizabeth Counsell....
worked ceaselessly for this theatre, which remained unsubsidized
Subsidy
A subsidy is an assistance paid to a business or economic sector. Most subsidies are made by the government to producers or distributors in an industry to prevent the decline of that industry or an increase in the prices of its products or simply to encourage it to hire more labor A subsidy (also...
, until his retirement in 1986, the year before his death. The theatre became known as a tryout
Tryout (theatre)
Tryout is staging a legitimate theatre performance at an off-site venue for evaluation and possible revision before going to Broadway or the West End...
date for productions heading for the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
, and also started many a future star's career.
Sir Peter Hall staged his first professional play at the theatre in 1953, the same year that he graduated from Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
In 1997, the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
impressario Bill Kenwright
Bill Kenwright
Bill Kenwright CBE is a leading West End theatre producer and film producer.He is also the Chairman of Everton Football Club, an English professional football club from the city of Liverpool....
took over the management of the theatre.