The Royal Court Theatre

The Royal Court Theatre, built in 1938, is by J.B. Hutchins, with interior decoration and furnishings by Cohen & Sons of London. The theatre is constructed of red brick with Aberdeen granite dressings, and the roof is likely asphalt or composition. It occupies a corner site with a long side facing Roe Street, and features a segmentally curved north-western corner. The design is in a Modernist style, with a rectangular plan and four storeys plus an attic. The facade is asymmetrical, comprised of three symmetrical elements. These include the main range containing the stage and auditorium, a raised portion to the right of this, and a quarter-drum housing the main entrance and staircase.

The facade’s strong rectilinear pattern emphasizes horizontal lines, with banding across the ground floor, a plain canopy, consistent window heights, and fluted stone bands between the third floor and attic, and a similarly fluted parapet. The raised portion extends these features to a higher level. Brick quoining defines the main range and drum, while slender brick shafts and vertically-channelled panels further articulate the windows. These windows are disproportionately small, rectangular in shape. The main range displays a window arrangement of 3:1:1:1:1:3 (except at attic level where the outer windows are single). The raised portion features single-window outer bays resembling pilasters, each with a relief figure above the uppermost window, and a central four-window panel with a stone cornice and a moulded shaft rising through to the parapet. The drum has triplet windows; the central windows are almost square. The right-hand return facade mirrors the design of the raised portion.

The interior retains many original features, though some were in disrepair in 1991. These features include a foyer with a marble floor of San Stefano and Issorie marbles, and walnut-panelled walls. A basement lounge and bar feature olive ash and figured walnut panelling, interconnected by folding doors with engraved glass. A cantilevered, curved staircase has smoothly panelled ash dado and balustrade. The auditorium, including the grand circle and gallery, is richly decorated, with a broad reveal to the proscenium arch and a coffered ceiling. The stage retains the original revolve (potentially functional), original flies, and a lighting board.