Royal Lyceum Theatre
This collection includes correspondence, a large collection of playbills, programmes, some photographs, posters, presscuttings and scripts.
The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, opened on 10 September 1883 under the management of J.B.Howard and F.W.P.Wyndham, a partnership which in 1895 became the famous Howard & Wyndham Ltd. The theatre opened with a two week run of Henry Irving and the London Lyceum company. All of the great actor managers and their companies appeared at the Lyceum - Wilson Barrett, Sir Frank Benson, Edward Compton, George Edwardes and Donald Wolfit among others. The 1930s saw the Brandon Thomas seasons while the 1940's and 50's belonged to the Wilson Barrett Company. In 1960 the theatre was sold to an Edinburgh business man, but soon it became likely that his intention was to tear down the building and use the site for development. The city corporation therefore took over the theatre in 1964 and a company was formed which operates to this day.
The building underwent major alterations in 1929 and 1977 and the glass foyer was added in 1991. In 1996 and 2001-3, the Lyceum benefited from Scottish Arts Council, National Lottery and City of Edinburgh Council capital grants to refurbish the front of house areas of the theatre.
How to find material relating to the Royal Lyceum Theatre
- Browse through a list of documents or events associated with the Royal Lyceum Theatre or use the Name Search option on theScottish Theatre Archive Search
See also
- The Royal Lyceum Theatre: details of latest and future productions, plus latest news, information and photographs outlining the theatre company's history
- National Library of Scotland: Scottish Theatre Programmes database: collection of programmes, playbills and posters. These items from theatres and other venues date from the 19th century onwards
