Theatre Royal

Significance

The Theatre Royal is a Grade II* listed theatre of major significance located on a prominent site in Margate. The theatre was built in 1787 and remained in theatre use until 1963, with periods for chapel use during the 1840s and cinema use between the wars. It was substantially remodelled in 1874 by Jethro Thomas Robinson. It fully reopened as a theatre again in 1988. The structure of the earlier building partially remains, but Robinson drastically modified the theatre by removing the old auditorium and stage, increasing the width by demolishing one sidewall, and extending the span of the old roof trusses. The auditorium has been compared to a smaller version of his earlier auditorium in The Old Vic, London, of 1871. It is a delightful space with two horseshoe balconies supported by slender iron columns along the line of their fronts, which are decorated with swags.

J.T. Robinson was surveyor to the Lord Chamberlain. Only two auditoria designed by him remain, this theatre and The Old Vic. With the extensive remodelling of the proscenium arch at The Old Vic, the Theatre Royal Margate is the last remaining theatre with the architect’s design intact. Robinson was also the employer of, and later father-in-law to, Frank Matcham, who is considered by many to be the UK’s  greatest theatre architect, which makes this a unique example of theatrical heritage.

Why is the theatre at risk?

Theatre Royal Margate has been on the Theatres at Risk Register since 2018.

Thanet District Council acquired the theatre as 'owner of last resort' in 2007, Covering  the debts inherited from  the previous owners Margate Theatre Royal Trust and Castle Trust. The building was then leased back to Margate Theatre Royal Trust on a peppercorn rent until it went into administration in 2012. At this point, we added the theatre to the Theatres at Risk Register but removed it again in 2013, when the council indicated its commitment to seeing the venue remain in active theatre use, by appointing Thanet Leisureforce (subsequently Your Leisure Kent Ltd) as temporary operator and commissioning arts consultancy Bonnar Keenleyside to undertake a viability appraisal. Your Leisure Kent Ltd ceased operation from the Theatre Royal on 28 April 2022.

Thanet District Council continues to support the theatre and has been proactive in looking at ways to make the theatre operation self-sustaining. This has included acquiring the former London Hotel at 19 Hawley Square (situated opposite the theatre) as a potential means of providing much-needed auxiliary space for the theatre. The council has also been exploring other options for providing suitable front-of-house and  rehearsal spaces to support a broader business model.

Thanet District Council is aware that a new operator will need to provide significant capital investment, which will be critical to the theatre's success. Until these plans come to fruition, the building remains in a fragile state and, now that it is closed, it is even more vulnerable to deterioration.

Theatre potential

The Theatre Royal Margate has always been well supported by the local community.

Thanet District Council is very supportive of the theatre, which has been in its ownership since 2007. In 2014, it undertook a viability appraisal that looked at ways of making the theatre financially sustainable in the long term, including proposals to make use of the adjacent former London Hotel to help cross-subsidise the theatre operation. Thanet District Council had identified a preferred partner to develop proposals but was unable to secure funding.

Current situation

The area around the theatre has changed in recent years, with the historic Thanet Gazette and Thanet Press print works buildings both being converted into cultural spaces. It has been acknowledged, that while visual arts provision in Margate is booming, the opportunities for participation and attendance in the performing arts is limited. It is hoped that the Theatre Royal Margate can capitalise on the regeneration of the surrounding area and become an important part of Margate’s cultural offer.

Thanet District Council was successful in its Towns Fund bid and initially allocated £2.2m of the awarded £22.2m towards making the Theatre Royal Margate fit for purpose. A steering group, which included Theatres Trust, was set up to advise on the economic and business case for the Theatre Royal  element of the Towns Fund bid. In September 2022, Thanet Council’s Business Case Summary Document for the Theatre Royal project was approved by government. This has allowed attention to focus on necessary urgent works to the building and enabled the council to recruit a Project Manager to drive the project forward.

In April 2023, Thanet District Council was awarded funding from Theatres Trust’s Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities programme. The funding was used to undertake a statement of heritage significance for the building and carry out further community consultation and market testing to support future funding bids.

In December 2023, the public and operator engagement work commenced with the council revealing its vision for the theatre, and 19 Hawley Square, as a performing arts hub.

During 2024, Thanet District Council worked to secure the funding necessary to deliver this project. An application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund was unsuccessful however, in August 2024, Thanet District Council agreed to reallocate an additional £2.8m of its Towns Fund money to the project, enabling further progress.

In October 2024, the council took the next step in progressing the capital project by launching a procurement process to appoint the architectural and design team. Together the appointed organisations will create an architectural master plan.

Theatres Trust will continue to support the council and its advisors to help develop the new proposals for the Theatre Royal and which aim to deliver a viable and sustainable future operation for this important historic theatre.

Main photo of Theatre Royal Margate by Theatres Trust. Interior photo by Ian Grundy.