Re: Spring 2016 | Page 87

unique – literally untouched by major development. Actor Henry Nye Chart was appointed manager of the theatre in 1854 and he made some immediate changes to the interior with the removal of the Royal box and the addition of backs to the pit benches and in 1866 Chart formed a syndicate to buy the theatre outright. It was then rebuilt by Charles Phipps in the summer and autumn of 1866. Phipps had a huge impact and he literally raised the roof! He remodelled the auditorium by adding the gallery and installing the two metre tall, one tonne heavy chandelier, A conservatory was built out from the first floor over the colonnade and new galleries were added, increasing the capacity to 1,900. He updated the auditorium into his trademark horseshoe shape, with three closely spaced, steep balconies, supported by iron columns. Phipps also added an extension to the first floor, which may have been the first Royal Circle bar. The shape of Phipps’ auditorium remains today, but few of his decorative features are left, apart from the stage boxes, and the magnificent two metre tall chandelier, which weighs one tonne and is still cleaned, as it was then – by lowering it down to floor level. The Theatre Royal reopened on 15 October 1866. Nearby buildings were modified in the re-developments; and Theatre Royal Brighton now incorporates not only the fishermen’s cottages, but also a courtyard and even a twitten. Some of the cottage rooms are still intact and a facade can be seen within the backstage area. In 1807, the theatre was built on land purchased from the Prince Regent, George IV. George personally approved plans for the theatre and gave his royal assent for it to be constructed on a “New Road” on his estate. The theatre was completed in just 10 months; an amazing achievement for the construction industry and in today’s environs planning for buildings can take that time. This historic building, which incorporates features from the past 200 years and beyond, has had a continuous performance history with some modifications in the Twentieth Century. Theatre Royal Brighton is one of the top ten oldest working theatres in the UK, and predates the remodelled Royal Pavilion. Scenic artists assisted in the flamboyant décor at the nearby Royal Pavilion, and it is thought that some of the same painters may have been employed at the theatre. It was one of the first theatres in the country to use gas lighting (very modern technology, utilised at the Pavilion) and remnants of the gas light fittings still exist. There are pictures of the original façade of the 1807 theatre, but no image of the original auditorium has come to light, although it is believed that the basic shape of this auditorium has changed very little. The much-loved venue, which has grown organically over the years, is made up of 11 buildings on one site and combines domestic elements combined with Fisherman’s cottages dating back to 1750, with Georgian houses adjacent to the auditorium. She is quite Henry Nye Chart, who died aged 55 on 17 June 1876, left the theatre to his wife Elizabeth ‘Nellie’ Chart; she assumed full control and management, and further enhanced its reputation. Touring companies brought new productions to the town, and ‘morning performances’ or ‘flying matinees’ were introduced with a London company bringing their production down for a single daytime performance before returning to the capital for that evening. The theatre was also known for its pantomimes, and a free performance was given every Christmas for the workhouse inmates. A letter of thanks sent by inmates can be seen mounted on the wall in the theatre today. In 1883 Mrs Chart purchased 9 New Road for use as her own residence, and in 1889 formed the Brighton Theatre Royal Company with Henry Infield as 87