Glasgow's 'Royalty'

In the wake of the dreadful Glasgow School of Art fire this week, I've been in Glasgow, exploring the area of the city now known as the Theatre District.  Glasgow was well served for theatres and Music Halls in the late 1890s and 1900s and  Benson was a frequent visitor - I've tracked 44 separate visits to the city, but there may well have been more.

Initially, the company played the 'Royalty' on the corner of Renfield Street and Sauchiehall Street, part of the Central Halls building.  The theatre itself, built in 1879, was one of the first to be designed by Frank Matcham.  Benson's Company often stayed for two week seasons until 1909, when the Royalty became a repertory theatre.  The Royalty was very close to the Pavillion Theatre and the Theatre Royal as well as the huge Empire Theatre, just across the road. 



By 1914 The Royalty had become The Lyric

Renamed The Lyric, the theatre eventually became a cinema before being damaged by fire in 1953.  Although rebuilt, the whole building was demolished in 1959. 

Sauchiehall Street must originally have looked as impressive as Buchanan Street does today, a thriving street  of department stores, tea rooms places of entertainment. (I'd like to think that the Bensonians occasionally frequented the Willow Tea Rooms.  Maybe they also walked uphill a few blocks to see the new School of Art building, which was finished in 1909.  I'm not sure if Toshie and Margaret were Shakespeare fans, but maybe they went to see the Bensons?  It's a nice thought!)

ON TOUR week beginning 21st May 1888, The Royalty, Chester.  This venue was one that the Benson Company returned to on at least 21 occasions up until 1932.  Opening in 1882, it closed as a theatre in 1966, demolished in 2001.  A hotel now stands on the City Road site.  These photographs of the interior date from the 1940s and 1950s.

The Cheshire Observer for Saturday 26th May described Benson as 'a most gifted actor...whose abilities are most particularly adapted for the exposition of  the highest flights of tragedy...supported in his efforts by a company of much talent.'  During the week they performed Hamlet (Mon), Romeo and Juliet (Tues), Merchant of Venice (Wed), Othello (Thurs), The Merry Wives of Windsor  (Fri) and Richard III (Sat) with Othello singled out for particular praise.  This was the final date in their touring season before a long summer break.

Why The Merry Shrews of Venice?

The story goes that one of Benson's company came up with this as an ironic answer to the question 'What play are you performing tonight?'   The made-up title incorporates the names of the three most frequently performed of F. R. Benson's Shakespeare productions: The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice. All three were highly successful on tour and often opened or closed a week's performances. When I tried to think of a title for this blog, it seemed ideal!

ON TOUR THIS WEEK IN 1889: Her Majesty's Theatre, Carlisle. 
from The Carlisle Patriot: May 10th 1889
ADVERTISEMENT : Pronounced last night by the Audience to be 'The Finest Exponent of Hamlet ever seen in Carlisle'  Prices as usual.  Book early to avoid disappointment.

Her Majesty's Theatre, Lowther Street, Carlisle.  Demolished 1979