That fearsome fate awaited the second incarnation of this iconic theatre, more of which shortly. The current (third) theatre is shown below, and has a seating capacity of 840, i.e. 744 more than the Mary Wallace Theatre down the road. It opened just over 120 years ago, though we must go back over 300 years for Richmond Theatre number one.
Richmond Theatre No. 3
Before coming back up to date, here’s a brief history of the previous two.
The first theatre on Richmond Green was built in 1718 by the actor manager Mr. Penkethman. On July 29th that year the St. James's Evening Post carried a notice saying:
“Last Night their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princes were at Mr. Penkethman's New Theatre at Richmond, to see the Play of the Busie-Body, which was excellently perform'd; and there was a very great Appearance of Quality and Gentry.”
In 'Theatrical Richmond' by Austin Brereton he says that this theatre was rebuilt in 1733 by an actor called Chapman, and that it 'fell into decay and was closed for theatrical purposes six years later, this “temple of the drama being then used as a barn.” The site where it stood is now occupied by York Place.
The replacement, and second theatre on Richmond Green, was built in 1765 by Mr. Sanderson of Drury Lane, and opened on June 15th that year with a production of the comic opera 'Love in a Village.' The theatre was opened under management of the actor Mr. Love, whose real name was James Dance. Love was also the architect of the theatre, which became an important playhouse where many celebrated actors of the time made appearances. After years of success it gradually became too dilapidated to continue in use, being demolished in 1884.
The second theatre
In Richard Bingham's 1886 book ‘A Celebrated Old Playhouse, the History of Richmond Theatre in Surrey from 1765 to 1884’ he writes passionately about the demolition of the theatre (I briefly contemplated editing / shortening the following three paragraphs, but then thought better of it):
“The demolition of the famous structure was begun at the end of the year 1884, and excited a large amount of interest not only in the town itself, but in theatrical circles generally throughout the country.
By the kindness of Mr. Hilditch, of Asgill House, the purchaser of the property, such as were sufficiently interested in the historical building were allowed to take a last look at it previous to the advent of the destroyer, and many availed themselves of the privilege. Pictures of the place were taken by local photographers, and some enthusiasts had frames made of the wood taken from the stage to place them in.
At last the evil day came when the angels of destruction descended on the doomed playhouse and removed it from off the earth, even using the very bricks and woodwork for enlarging some mineral water works in the town, at least so it was stated. Thus darkly ended the career of Richmond Playhouse, which had begun so brightly an hundred and nineteen years ago. It was too much to hope that in the present age of competition and improvement, Richmond Theatre should have been allowed to stand as a relic of bygone days and people. And yet while the house where Shakespeare was born is allowed to remain, that wherein his great exponent, Kean, “with powers almost as divine as the poet's," lived and died, has been ruthlessly swept away.”
Celebrated British Shakespearean stage actor, Edmund Kean, lived in a house next door.
The third and current theatre is located on Little Green, adjacent to Richmond Green. It opened on September 18th 1899 with a performance of As You Like It. One of the finest surviving examples of the work of theatre architect Frank Matcham, the building, in red brick with buff terracotta, is Grade II listed. John Earl, writing in 1982, described it as "of outstanding importance as the most completely preserved Matcham theatre in Greater London, and one of his most satisfying interiors."
Interior of the third and current theatre
The theatre has a weekly schedule of plays and musicals, as well as special music events and children's shows. Pre-West End productions can often be seen here too. There is a Christmas and New Year pantomime tradition, and many of Britain's greatest music hall and pantomime performers have appeared there (see the end for more). The theatre also offers a range of Creative Learning activities for adults and children, including drama, creative writing and singing.
The Foundation Stone
Laid just over a year before the theatre opened it's doors
Some personal highlights from over the years:
Dick Whittington: As a young family one Christmas, (with Mum and brother Nicholas), it featured the one-and-only Basil Brush playing to a packed house. Boom-Boom.
Ken “I’m the only person I know who can eat a tomato through a tennis racket” Dodd: Rachel and I caught the much-missed comic genius a few years ago. Despite having a long and successful career, even he didn’t manage to play all three Richmond theatres.
The Dresser: Starring Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith.
*March 2024 update: Saw Drop the Dead Donkey here last month (original cast, sadly minus Haydn Gwynne)
The man himself: Frank Matcham
Red arrow: Richmond Theatre (the third one; both earlier theatres were on the Green)
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