Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal is the UK’s second oldest working theatre and is of ‘major and outstanding significance’. It is Grade II* listed and is on the Theatre Trust's Theatres at Risk Register (2018).
Originally built in 1787, the Theatre Royal was redesigned in 1874. It is the only surviving example of a theatre designed by J.T. Robinson, father-in-law to Frank Matcham, celebrated theatre architect. The theatre boasts unique carton pierre plasterwork and a 'sunburner', with a hybrid music hall and theatre layout. The theatre has a historic connection with 19 Hawley Square, The London Hotel, which was built c1830.
The new vision for the Theatre Royal combines heritage, performance and a move towards financial sustainability. It focuses on the venue’s 245 years of performance heritage, bringing together the need to conserve, restore and modernise both the theatre and 19 Hawley Square.
The ambition is to create a nationally significant performing arts hub in Margate; the plans are designed to increase the artistic and financial opportunities to support the historic theatre and to raise the profile of performing arts in the district. This includes developing 19 Hawley Square to include studio and rehearsal rooms, offices and accommodation for touring theatre companies.
The Theatre Royal project has been allocated £6m of funding as part of the Margate Town Deal.
Find out more about the Theatre Royal project and view the proposed plans
Phases
Project preparation
During this phase we have been carrying out various surveys and condition reports to further our understanding of the buildings and the work required to bring them up to modern and operational standards. A specialist project manager has been recruited and is now working to drive the project forward and to further define the business case for the development of the theatre. As part of this renovation project, the council is working with an advisory stakeholder group and will be looking for an operator and project partner, as well as making a funding submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for additional grants.
We successfully applied for £10,000 of grant funding from Theatres Trust’s Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities project, in recognition of Theatre Royal Margate's heritage and ‘at risk’ status. The funding from the Theatres Trust will enable Thanet District Council to commission two important reports. Firstly, a heritage significance statement to summarise the theatre’s local, regional and national importance. It will include architectural merit and unique heritage features, alongside its social, artistic and cultural importance as the second oldest working theatre in the UK. Secondly, an update to the business case and an options appraisal for the future management of the theatre.
The additional funding from the Theatres Trust marks an important step in the process of applying to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for match funding for the conservation and restoration of the theatre.
Find out more about the background to the Theatre Royal refurbishment project in our Newsroom.
You can find out more about Theatres Trust on their website.
Upcoming and ongoing events
Past events
Event date: February 11th, 2026 from 15:00 to 19:00.
Theatre Royal Margate
4 registrants
Event date: December 8th, 2023 at 10:00 to December 20th, 2023 at 16:00.
5 registrants
Event date: December 7th, 2023 from 14:00 to 19:00.
Theatre Royal Margate
1 registrant