Thespian House at Theatre Royal

Thespian House at Theatre Royal is a two-storey building with an attic, featuring a five-bay classical front. The centre has modified parapets, with the pediment removed, and lean-to flanking parapets. There is a three-bay cornice above small vents and a panel that reads "THEATRE ROYAL" below. The first-floor has sash windows, with the outer ones being round-headed and the inner ones supported by lion-mask brackets under their cornices. Above these is a central oculus that sits over a broken segmental pediment, which has an urn finial and scrolled brackets. The ground floor features arched openings that are linked by impost and hood-mouldings, with recessed doors accessed by steps. To the left, there is a modern canopied entrance that has replaced the original arched openings. The bulky rear elevation includes a corrugated-iron fly-tower above a wide slate roof.

Attached to the right, downhill, is Thespian House, a two-storey rendered block that is set back and has a splayed bay further to the right. It has a continuous plain parapet, which was formerly crenellated, and architraves with keyblocks above boarded windows. A string-course runs over the ground floor, linking it to the theatre. The ground floor also has arched openings, including a segmental carriage arch on the left with double boarded doors.

The auditorium was completely rebuilt in the later 1920s, featuring a large balcony. It boasts a splendid sunburst ceiling rose, possibly from the 1890s, above the stalls, along with Art Deco borders and rosettes. The proscenium is designed in Art Deco style, with a ramped and stepped surround and the Royal Arms at the centre, flanked by splayed crestings. The side walls have linked low-relief panels with stepped detailing and acanthus and anthemion cornices above. Organ pipes are positioned in niches flanking the stage, and there is recessed coffering over the gallery, which has a convex, cantilevered front adorned with Art Deco embellishments. The lighting features polygonal pendant fittings.