Also known as Grand Opera House
Harrogate Theatre
Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
Oxford Street
,
Harrogate, North Yorkshire,
England,
United Kingdom HG1 1QF
(
map)
+44.0.1423.502.116
 Recent interior view of the Harrogate Theatre (circa September 2002)Photo courtesy of Ian Grundy
The exterior is not its strong point, the principal features being a distinctive tower at the narrow apex surmounted by a cupola bearing the names Grand Opera and a pretty, usually flower festooned, iron and glass canopy bearing the current Harrogate Theatre name in coloured glass.
A small but very attractive foyer, with a deeply enriched plaster frieze by F. Darlington Esq. in an arts and crafts style, has stairs down to the stalls and up to the two balconies.
The auditorium is a sheer delight with a range of four boxes either side of the stage and a domed and richly decorated ceiling. Putti, garlands and cartouches decorate each of the serpentine balcony fronts.
Although constructed, and always used as, a live venue, the Harrogate Theatre has recently begun to screen films on Monday evenings. These are arranged by the Harrogate Film Society and digital surround sound has been installed. There are generally two screenings per month and a policy leaning towards 'art-house' is favoured.
Seating capacity on opening was 1,300. By 1952 this had reduced to 887 and currently, due to better legroom and the reduction in size of the top balcony, 475.
The Harrogate Theatre has had a chequered financial history since the 1920's, often lurching from one crisis to the next. However it has survived, is presently gaining audiences and the future looks more assured now than at any time in the last half century.
The Harrogate Theatre is designated a Grade II Listed building by English Heritage.
Contributed by Ian Grundy
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REGARDS
GERALD CLARK