Monument record 1160/0/449 - Site of Theatre Royal, Marefair

The Theatre Royal opened in 1806. It was converted into a music hall known as The Empire Theatre of Varieties, but was demolished in 1887 due to road widening (of Horseshoe Street). [Not to be confused with the Royal Theatre on Guildhall Road]

{1} The theatre was built in 1806 and its design was apparently based 'on the lines of London's Haymarket Theatre'. There were to be two tiers of boxes, a pit and a gallery. The only surviving picture of the theatre is after it had closed and was being used by Latimer and Crick, corn merchants.

{2} 'The theatre at the end of Gold Street, in Marefair, is a plain but neat building erected 1806. It is opened during the races and occasionally at other seasons of the year. Mr H Jackman is the present lessee and manager.'

{3} Robert Higgiit is the present lessee and manager.

<1> Warwick, L, 1974, Theatre Un-Royal (or "They Called Them Comedians"): A history of the Theatre, sometime Royal, Marefair, Northampton (1806-84 and 1887), p. 41 & 229 (Book). SNN116647.

<2> Whellan W., 1849, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Northamptonshire (Directory). SNN100427.

<3> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire (Book). SNN1002.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:31PM