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Latitude: 51.7511 / 51°45'3"N
Longitude: -3.3754 / 3°22'31"W
OS Eastings: 305152
OS Northings: 206712
OS Grid: SO051067
Mapcode National: GBR HN.0ZMY
Mapcode Global: VH6CY.F7YZ
Plus Code: 9C3RQJ2F+CV
Entry Name: Theatre Royal
Listing Date: 22 August 1975
Last Amended: 13 January 1988
Grade: II
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 11464
Building Class: Recreational
Also known as: Theatre Royal and Opera House
ID on this website: 300011464
Location: Massive rendered brick frontage set into the slope opposite Penydarren Park. Lower block attached on right.
County: Merthyr Tydfil
Community: Town (Y Dref)
Community: Town
Built-Up Area: Merthyr Tydfil
Traditional County: Glamorgan
Tagged with: Theatre Cinema Bingo hall
1891. By T C Wakeling, architect of Merthyr.
2-storey and attic, 5-bay classical front with modified parapets over centre (pediment removed), lean-to flanking parapets. Centre 3-bay cornice over small vents, THEATRE ROYAL panel below. First-floor sash windows, outer round-headed, inner with lion-mask brackets to cornices; central oculus over broken segmental pediment with urn finial and scrolled brackets. Ground-floor arched openings linked by impost and hood-mouldings, recessed doors up steps. Modern canopied entrance (replacing arched openings) to left. Bulky rear elevation with corrugated-iron fly-tower above wide slate roof.
Attached downhill to right is Thespian House, a 2-storey rendered block set back with a splayed bay further right. Continuous plain parapet (formerly crenellated), architraves with keyblocks to (boarded) windows, string-course over ground-floor links to theatre. Arched ground-floor openings also linked with segmental carriage arch on left, double boarded doors.
Fine auditorium completely rebuilt in later 1920s with a large balcony inserted. Splendid sunburst ceiling rose (1890s?) over stalls; Art Deco borders, rosettes etc. Art Deco proscenium with ramped and stepped surround, Royal Arms to centre, splayed crestings. Side walls with linked low-relief panels with stepped detailing, acanthus and anthemion cornices over. Organ pipes to niches flanking stage. Recessed coffering over gallery with convex, cantilevered front, Art Deco embellishments. Polygonal, pendant light-fittings.
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