From The Improved Bath Guide 1825
The Theatre
Theatrical performances were very early introduced at Bath. They first appeared in the form of mysteries, or moralities, (representations of Scripture histories) in the reign of Edward III. and were then performed in the old church of St. Mary without the walls. Dramatic exhibitions were afterwards very properly transferred from the church to a temporary stage erected in the open air, and performed by actors who resorted to the different large towns on particular occasions. Players of this description are said to have frequented Bath on the fairs and festivals for almost a century ; and the Corporation was paid by the company a regular fee for permission to act their plays within the limits of the mayor's jurisdiction.
But a new Guildhall having been built in the year 1626, the players were permitted to perform their dramas there for many years. In the reign of Charles II. a company of comedians had become permanent at Bath, and performed regular plays in a theatre which occupied the site of the General Hospital ; their performances were afterwards displayed in an apartment under the lower Assembly Rooms.
The inconvenience of this place induced Mr. John Hippisley, who had been an eminent performer in London, to digest the plan of a new theatre, and in 1747 he submitted a proposal to the public for that purpose. The object of this address was, however, disregarded, till the proprietor of the rooms, Mr. Simpson, engaged, on receiving an annuity of two hundred pounds, never more to let it for dramatic purposes. In consequence of this arrangement, Mr. J. Palmer, grandfather of the present representative of this city in Parliament, was induced to engage in the risk of building a new and commodious theatre in Orchard Street, and in 1768 a patent was obtained from his Majesty and the theatre opened : upon his decease the property devolved to his son, who having considerably enlarged the house, disposed of part of his valuable concern to Messrs. Keasberry and Dimond.
This theatre, although superior to most out of London, was yet too small for the increased population of the city, and Messrs. Palmer & Dimond, in whom the property by the death of Mr, Keasberry was entirely vested, erected in 1804 the present capacious edifice, on the south side of Beaufort Square. It was built under the direction of Mr. Palmer, architect.
The superstructure is extremely handsome, and the interior is finished with exquisite taste from models of the first theatres in Europe.
The length within the main walls is one hundred and twenty-five feet, the width sixty feet, and its height seventy feet.
The exterior buildings contain dressing rooms, scene rooms, wardrobes, and every other convenience for the performers, artists, and servants.
The pillars of the house are of cast iron, placed at distances of two feet from the front : by these means the first row of each circle appears as a balcony independent of the main structure, and an inconceivable lightness is thus communicated to the tout ensemble.
The ceiling is divided into four compartments, in each of which is one of those fine paintings by Cassali, which once occupied a similar situation in the splendid mansion at Fonthill.
There is an air of warmth, comfort, and ease about the house not to be found in any other theatre in England.
It was first opened to a very crowded audience on the twelfth of October, 1805, with the play of Richard III. and the farce of the Poor Soldier.
The Bath actors are generally of a superior class to those at other provincial theatres ; and from this fertile nursery Mrs. Siddons, Edwin, Henderson, Murray, Incledon, Miss Wallis, Knight, and Elliston, have successively issued to astonish and delight the metropolis with their talents. Mrs. Crawford was born and educated in Bath, but she seems never to have acted on the Bath stage.
The Theatre is situated in the centre of the city, to which there are three entrances in as many distinct directions : the grand front, executed from a design of Nathaniel Dance, esq; is in Beaufort Square. During the season there are four plays in the week ; the performance begins at seven o’clock ; and the terms, of admission are :
| Boxes | 5s |
| Pit | 3s. 9d. |
| Gallery | 1s. 8d. |
| Second price (at a quarter before nine) | |
| Boxes | 3s |
| Pit | 2s. |
| Gallery | 1s. |
A fund for the support of decayed actors was instituted in 1800, and is now possessed of about £2000, a sum which has arisen partly from the contributions of the performers, but chiefly from the free benefits that have been granted by the managers, and from donations. No person is entitled to relief from the fund but those who have subscribed to it, and they only when incapacitated from following their profession and reduced to poverty ; the fund being to all intents and purposes a charitable institution.