Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man
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| Gaiety Theatre facade, situated roughly in the centre on the promenade as it sweeps around the bay of Douglas town
Ornate facade of the theatre
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| Address | Harris Promenade Douglas Isle of Man |
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| Owner | IoM Department of Tourism |
| Capacity | 898 seated |
| Current use | Fully operational theatre with a year-round programme of shows |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 16 July 1900 |
| Rebuilt | 1976 Victor Glasstone (major restoration) |
| Architect | Frank Matcham |
| Website | |
| Villa Gaiety | |
The Gaiety Theatre is a theatre in Douglas, Isle of Man built in 1899 to the designs of architect Frank Matcham as an opera house and theatre.[1] It was built within the structure of the former Pavilion, an entertainment hall that had been constructed six years earlier.
The theatre opened on 16 July 1900 with a West End production of "The Telephone Girl" featuring Ada Blanche. The theatre enjoyed considerable success in the Edwardian era, but after World War I the theatre fell into decline along with the island's tourist industry.
Various attempts were made to regain its former commercial success, including installation of cinema equipment in the 1920s and a 1938 ice show. Income could not keep pace with the cost of maintenance, and by 1971 the Isle of Man government acquired the freehold of the dilapidated building. In 1976 the restoration began under the direction of architect Victor Glasstone.
The theatre underwent further restoration from the 1990s to replicate its 1900 opening condition in time for the centenary celebration in 2000.[1] Exactly 100 years after opening, on 16 July 2000, the centenary was celebrated with a performance of "The Telephone Girl" which opened the Gaiety in 1900. Following that was a performance of "The Corsican Brothers", a popular play which in Victorian times and a special 'Corsican Trap' was constructed for the performance. It is believed to be the only working Corsican Trap in the World.[2] Another unique feature of the theatre is the working Act Drop depicting a dancing lady.
Today the theatre continues with productions by local companies and touring productions of musicals, drama and opera. It now forms a part of the Villa Marina complex, together with a nearby 1,500 seat auditorium.
The Gaiety Theatre featured on an Isle of Man 24p commemorative stamp in 1994.[3] In February 2008, The Gaiety hosted a Hollywood movie Me and Orson Welles, starring Zac Efron, Christian McKay and Claire Danes. The Gaiety replicates the Mercury Theatre in New York in 1937.
In November 2013 'Glee Live On Stage' was produced at The Gaiety Theatre with an all professional cast. The cast included Wayne Rodgers, Jodie-Lee Wilde, Jarred Page, Kimberley Ensor, Clark Devlin, Jordan Fox, Ruth Morrison, Rachael McCormick, Ellena Leigh, Adam Shorey, Wesley Dow & Leah Shears. Every night a different school choir from around the island was brought on stage to sing selected songs with the cast.
The Gaiety is situated on Douglas promenade, overlooking the sea and adjacent to the Villa Gardens, Arcade and Colonnade. Nearby is the town centre and other attractions such as the Manx Museum, Horse Trams, and St Thomas' church which has painted murals. The Gaiety is also within a mile of two Victorian railways: the Manx Electric Railway, and the IOM Steam Railway.
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An illustration showing Douglas Arts & Culture Quarter
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A map of the centre of Douglas for Douglas Development Partnership
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A brief theatre history (Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man) accessed 24 Nov 2007
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ 1994 Manx tourism centenary (Flags on Stamps) accessed 24 Nov 2007
External links
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