York Theatre Royal

All images are credit York Theatre Royal or NTN unless stated otherwise.

Welcome to York Theatre Royal, a truly historic gem nestled in the heart of equally historic York.

This theatre has been thrilling audiences since first raising its curtain in 1744. This makes it one of the oldest continuously operating theatres in the world, and the moment you walk in you sense that heritage in every nook and cranny of the place.

The story begins with a bold idea. Back in 1734, actor Thomas Keregan opened York’s first permanent playhouse in a converted tennis court.

It was a modest start, but York’s appetite for theatre outgrew that venue. By 1744, a brand new theatre opened on the present site, on land that had once been part of a medieval hospital. Parts of the old St Leonard’s Hospital are literally built into the theatre’s structure - there are medieval stone archways and even an old well under the stage that could date back as far as Roman times.

How’s that for stage history?

In 1769, manager Tate Wilkinson acquired a Royal Patent for £500 and with it a new name for the venue, Theatre Royal. Under Wilkinson’s leadership the theatre became a shining star on the provincial circuit - still is, attracting some of the finest actors of the day - still does, including the famous Kemble siblings and Sarah Siddons - or Gary Oldman more recently.

In the 1960s the theatre boldly embraced the contemporary, with architect Patrick Gwynne designing a striking modernist front extension in 1967, all glass walls and sweeping concrete curves.

The incredible foyer is one of York’s finest examples of modern architecture mixing medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern design under one roof.

Thanks to a major refurbishment in 2016, the building also has the comforts of today, from a refreshed auditorium to improved accessibility, all while keeping its heritage charm intact.

3D Seatmap

Now one of the UK’s leading producing theatres, what truly makes York Theatre Royal special is its people - staff, performers, and audiences. This theatre isn’t just an elegant old building, it is the comfortable living room of York’s theatre community.

The annual panto is the stuff of local legend, led for 40 years by hometown hero Berwick Kaler, whose slapstick and ad-libs made it a beloved York tradition for generations.

But the community connection runs deeper than just Yuletide cheer.

During the pandemic the theatre turned outward, supporting its city in creative ways and taking productions onto the streets to serve communities that were temporarily unable to visit the theatre.

Today its thriving youth theatre, outreach programmes, and welcome for local amateur companies sit proudly alongside the annual panto and visiting stars - a reminder that world-class talent and local voices can shine together in the glow of the same footlights.

Steeped in history yet always evolving, it truly is the healthy pulse of York’s theatre scene – a place where heritage, imagination, and community come together, and everyone who walks in becomes a character in its ongoing story.

Youtube tour