What’s in a name? 

April, 2022

Richmond Theatre turns 125 this year and has a rich history to show for it! Whilst the building has seen various refurbishments over the years, it is still regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Frank Matcham’s work and its Grade II listed status reflects this. However, not all changes have been cosmetic, for example the theatre has had four different names in this time.  

The theatre opened in September 1899 as the Theatre Royal and Opera House, a grand space that presented a mixture of plays, opera and ballet. Not long after opening, in 1901, it was renamed The Prince of Wales, mostly likely in recognition of Prince Edward VII’s accessions to the throne after the death of Queen Victoria early in the year.  

One of the most significant changes came in 1914 when Theatre Proprietor George Dance announced that, after a short closure period for refurbishment, the theatre would reopen as Richmond Hippodrome and Theatre ‘in response to a General Request from a number of our Patrons’. You can see an original copy of Declaration displayed on the Stalls Bar.  

It was in 1914 that the name returned to Richmond Theatre and has remained so ever since. One small addition was added in 1973 when the theatre used the tagline “The Theatre on Green”, a nod to the local nickname. This continued until 1989 when the theatre closed for another major refurbishment.  

Gabriella Bush, aided by the work of Norman Fenner.