Description

SD 3390 ROE STREET

392-0/49/10000 The Royal Court
Theatre

GV II

Theatre. 1938, by J.B.Hutchins; Interior decoration and
furnishings by Cohen & Sons of London. Red brick with dressings
of Aberdeen granite (roof concealed but probably asphalt or
composition). Rectangular plan on corner site, with long side to
Roe Street and segmentally-curved north-western corner. Modernist
style. Four storeys and attic, 3:4:3 / 1:4:1 / 3 windows in an
asymmetrical design made up of 3 symmetrical elements: the main
range containing the stage and auditorium, a raised portion to
the right of this, and a quarter-drum containing the main
entrance and staircase. The facade has a strong rectilinear
pattern, with horizontal emphasis provided by banding to the
whole ground floor and a plain canopy to most of this carried
round, strict horizontal continuity of the windows throughout,
and a fluted stone band between 3rd floor and attic and a
similarly fluted stone parapet, both interrupted by the raised
portion which has similar features at a higher levels; and a
subordinate vertical emphasis provided by brick quoining to the
main range and the drum, and by vertical grouping of the windows,
each group having slender brick shafts through 3 floors and
vertically-channelled panels between floors. All the windows are
disproportionately small rectangles (reminiscent of the port-
holes of a ship); the main range groups them 3:1:1:1:1:3 (except
at attic level where the outer windows are single); the raised
portion has 1-window outer bays like broad pilasters, each with
a relief figure above the top window, and a 4-window panel in the
centre with a stone cornice and a central moulded shaft rising
through this to the parapet, which is banded and unfenestrated;
and the drum has triplet windows, those in the centre almost
square. The design of the right-hand return facade is similar to
that of the raised portion. INTERIOR: many original features
(some in disrepair at the time of inspection, 1991), including:
foyer with floor of San Stefano marble bordered with green and
black Issorie marble, and walls panelled in light walnut;
basement lounge and bar with panelling of olive ash and figured
walnut, interconnected by folding doors with engraved glass;
cantilevered curved staircase with dado and solid balustrade both
smoothly panelled in ash; auditorium with grand circle and
gallery both richly decorated, broad reveal to proscenium arch
with one pair of round-headed boxes similarly decorated and a
coffered ceiling; stage with original revolve (in potentially
working order), original flies and lighting board.

Listing NGR: SJ3486190511

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool at Wikipedia
• Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool official website
• Wikidata Q7374081

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Old House Handbook 2 Books Bundle Collection (Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair,Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)