The Royal Court Theatre

SD 3390 ROE STREET

392-0/49/10000 The Royal Court Theatre

GV II

Theatre. 1938, by J.B.Hutchins; Interior decoration and furnishings by Cohen & Sons of London. Red brick with dressings of Aberdeen granite (roof concealed but probably asphalt or composition). Rectangular plan on corner site, with long side to Roe Street and segmentally-curved north-western corner. Modernist style. Four storeys and attic, 3:4:3 / 1:4:1 / 3 windows in an asymmetrical design made up of 3 symmetrical elements: the main range containing the stage and auditorium, a raised portion to the right of this, and a quarter-drum containing the main entrance and staircase. The facade has a strong rectilinear pattern, with horizontal emphasis provided by banding to the whole ground floor and a plain canopy to most of this carried round, strict horizontal continuity of the windows throughout, and a fluted stone band between 3rd floor and attic and a similarly fluted stone parapet, both interrupted by the raised portion which has similar features at a higher levels; and a subordinate vertical emphasis provided by brick quoining to the main range and the drum, and by vertical grouping of the windows, each group having slender brick shafts through 3 floors and vertically-channelled panels between floors. All the windows are disproportionately small rectangles (reminiscent of the port- holes of a ship); the main range groups them 3:1:1:1:1:3 (except at attic level where the outer windows are single); the raised portion has 1-window outer bays like broad pilasters, each with a relief figure above the top window, and a 4-window panel in the centre with a stone cornice and a central moulded shaft rising through this to the parapet, which is banded and unfenestrated; and the drum has triplet windows, those in the centre almost square. The design of the right-hand return facade is similar to that of the raised portion. INTERIOR: many original features (some in disrepair at the time of inspection, 1991), including: foyer with floor of San Stefano marble bordered with green and black Issorie marble, and walls panelled in light walnut; basement lounge and bar with panelling of olive ash and figured walnut, interconnected by folding doors with engraved glass; cantilevered curved staircase with dado and solid balustrade both smoothly panelled in ash; auditorium with grand circle and gallery both richly decorated, broad reveal to proscenium arch with one pair of round-headed boxes similarly decorated and a coffered ceiling; stage with original revolve (in potentially working order), original flies and lighting board.

Listing NGR: SJ3486190511