Waterford's Theatre Royal honoured with Mayoral Reception on 240th anniversary
Mayor of Waterford City & County Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with the Theatre Royal's past and present board members. Photo: Joe Evans
Theatre Royal, Ireland’s oldest operating theatre, celebrated a belated 240th anniversary with a mayoral reception on Tuesday, December 2.
The theatre first began operating in 1784, with the Shakespearean comedy ‘As You Like It’ christening the floor. Located on The Mall, the building was built by John Roberts.
At the mayoral reception, Theatre Royal was hailed as the primary conduit for Waterford’s arts scene. Members of Theatre Royal’s board and alumni lined the walls of the Mayor’s Parlour, with notable figures, including Jamie Beamish of Bridgerton and Derry Girls fame.
“For well over two centuries, the Theatre Royal has, from this footprint, stood as one of Ireland's cultural landmarks,” said Waterford City and County Council Mayor Seamus Ryan.
“Few theatres in the world, definitely none in this country, can claim such an unbroken story, and the Theatre Royal’s story is very much part of Waterford’s story.
“It has given a stage to homegrown artists who have gone on to national and international success, and it continues to open its doors to new audiences and new ideas.
“The Theatre Royal is, and will always remain, the people's theatre, built by Waterford, sustained by Waterford, and now shaping a future for Waterford’s young people and creative communities.”
Chair of the Theatre Royal board Ann Marie Shannon paid tribute to the work done by those who came before her, particularly in the 1950s - a time when the theatre’s existence faced existential threat amid tumultuous financial returns and efforts by local government to convert the building into municipal offices.
Ms Shannon said the same spirit to rally and preserve the lifeblood of arts and the theatre has endured, with significant renovations taking place across the 2000s.
“We have navigated our way through a global pandemic, eradicated all age debt, achieved charitable status - a massive undertaking led by Nora Widger,” said Ms Shannon.
“While we often acknowledge the leadership of our chairs, it is vital to stress the success achieved as the result of collaborative and shared commitment. Every individual who has served and continues to serve on the board brings a unique and essential skill set, as well as ambition and vision.”
Theatre Royal’s director Mary Boland paid homage to some of the theatre’s preeminent figures, from Dan Gallagher in the 1950s, who led the fight to secure the theatre’s future, to former stage manager Larry Quinn.
“The Theatre Royal has been managed and cared for by passionate and dedicated people, those who have understood Theatre Royal’s important legacy and its cultural importance to Waterford,” Ms Boland said.
