Royale Club

MANCHESTER

SJ8397NE PETER STREET 698-1/31/278 (South side) 03/10/74 Royale Club (Formerly Listed as: PETER STREET (South side) Theatre Royal)

GV II

Theatre, now night club. 1845, by Irwin and Chester; altered 1875 by Edward Salomons; exterior restored and interior remodelled 1989. Sandstone ashlar (roof not visible). Rectangular plan on island site (except for south-east corner occupied by other premises). Classical style. Two storeys and attic; monumental facade of 3 unequal bays, symmetrical, with plinth, modillioned cornice, attic treated as parapet and gabled in the centre. The centre, which breaks forwards slightly, is treated as a giant recessed portico with fluted Corinthian columns distyle in antis, the entablature interrupted by a central semicircular arch breaking into the gable above, and the frieze inscribed "THEATRE.ROYAL" "ERECTED.1845"; and contains steps up to 3 altered doorways, a pedimented aedicule in the centre with a statue of Shakespeare leaning on a pedestal, tall windows flanking this, low windows to the floor above, and a lunette under the arch. The narrower side bays have windows at 1st-floor level with pedimented architraves, and square wndows to the attic. The return sides have (inter alia) alternating rectangular panels and windows to the main floor with fluted friezes to the panels and semi-circular blank arches over the windows. Interior: altered, but retains balcony of 1875. History: Manchester's oldest surviving theatre.

Listing NGR: SJ8373497898