A Nottingham landmark for over a century and a half, the stunningly beautiful Theatre Royal will celebrate 160 glorious years in September 2025.
The venue will host a special programme of free community and heritage events from Monday 22 to Saturday 27 September, including an Open Day with access behind the scenes, heritage exhibition, talks, and foyer performances.
During the week of the anniversary, the National Theatre’s smash hit production, Dear England, will be visiting the Theatre Royal from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 September, as part of its first ever national tour. This forms a particularly fitting part of the venue’s celebrations, as the play’s acclaimed writer, James Graham, grew up locally and saw his early theatre, including first pantomimes, at the Theatre Royal. On finishing University, he also got his first job in theatre as the venue’s stage door keeper.
The Theatre Royal’s Interim Venue Director, Dan Baxter, said: “We are so proud to be celebrating a landmark birthday this year with a programme focussed very much on the Theatre Royal’s rich history. We’ve curated an exciting programme of free events in order to encourage as many people as possible to engage with us, especially those who may be visiting this beautiful space for the very first time.
The Theatre Royal has been part of Nottingham’s living history for 160 years, a beating heart at the centre of the city’s cultural scene. We look forward sharing this much-loved venue with visitors to our special anniversary events, whether that’s giving a glimpse behind the scenes, showing items from our extensive archive, or hearing more of people’s own personal memories, recollections, and stories. Come and join the fun, we can’t wait to see you!”
Programme of free events:
Monday 22 September 7pm
Pygmalion Rehearsed Reading
A rehearsed reading of Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion on the Dress Circle foyer, celebrating the venue’s centenary production of My Fair Lady in 1965. Our Theatre Royal Nottingham
Dress Circle foyer
Free event – Booking required via www.trch.co.uk or 0115 989 5555
Friday 26 September 1pm
Free Talk and Heritage Exhibition: 160 Years of the Theatre Royal Nottingham
A fascinating glimpse into the Theatre Royal’s 160-year-old archive, with a display of material presented by volunteers from the Theatre Royal’s heritage team.
The exhibition will be available to view during venue opening times from Tuesday 12 August to Sunday 28 September.
Dress Circle foyer
Free event – Booking required for Heritage Talk via www.trch.co.uk or 0115 989 555
Saturday 27 September 9am-12.30pm
Theatre Royal Open Day
Join a backstage tour, chat with theatre experts, enjoy free children’s craft activities, and browse a display of memorabilia from the Theatre Royal’s extensive archive. This free event is suitable for all ages. Backstage tours will start from 9am, with the last tour commencing at 12 noon. Tickets for backstage tours will be available to book in advance, as well as on a first come first served basis on the day.
Theatre Royal, all foyer areas (tours commence in stalls foyer)
Free event – Advance booking available for backstage tours, including a wheelchair accessible tour, via www.trch.co.uk or 0115 989 5555
For more information on the Theatre Royal Nottingham’s 160th anniversary celebrations, visit https://trch.co.uk/theatre-royal-celebrates-160-years
Posted on 22 July 2025
