Waterford's Theatre Royal celebrates 240 years as bastion of the creative arts
The 240 year tour with guests curated and presented by Lynn Cahill. Photos by Noel Browne
The Theatre Royal in Waterford recently celebrated its 240th anniversary.
The opening night of the theatre, on July 26, 1784 was a momentous occasion in Waterford, with over 1,000 people inside the fabulous new Georgian Playhouse on the Mall.
Since then, the prestigious venue has undergone major renovations and restoration works, and through the centuries, it has witnessed famine, fire and revolution.
Those present at the recent gathering enjoyed a historical tour, curated and led by Lynn Cahill, during which key moments in the history of the theatre were recalled, from its foundation to the present day.
That was followed by extracts of ‘As You Like It’, presented by Joe Meagher and Cillian Jacob; a very appropriate choice given that ‘As You Like It’ was performed on the stage of the Theatre Royal on its opening night, 240 years ago.
The anniversary gathering recalled some of those who gave of their time and energy over the years to ensure the theatre survived and thrived, recalling names such as Dan Gallagher, Larry Fanning, Eamon Flavin and Jo Moylan.
People with long associations with the theatre both onstage and offstage were also talked about, such as Anna and Des Manahan, Larry Quinn, Denny Corcoran, Brian Flynn and Jim Nolan to name just a few.
Speaking at the event, Mayor of Waterford City & County, Jason Murphy noted: “This historic anniversary is an opportunity to appreciate the wealth of cultural activity that has taken place in Waterford over many years. This 240 year old theatre, the ‘People’s Theatre’ as it’s also known, is a thriving centre of creativity and entertainment, and is the beating heart of Waterford’s social and cultural life.”
