Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

This Grade 1 listed Regency theatre opened in 1819. Its most famous production, Charley’s Aunt, a risqué play that had its premiere in 1892. However the theatre later closed, languishing as a barrel store for owners, Greene King from 1926. The great and the good of Bury fund-raised for the theatre’s restoration in the 1960’s, reopening in 1965; the National Trust obtaining a lease in 1975 from GK. Bucket seats from the closed Playhouse Cinema of 1959 were utilised, seating became a bone of contention since the fine restoration of 2005-2007; the auditorium now having bench seating.

With thanks as always to Martyn Taylor.