Architects

Frank Matcham

Frank Matcham (1854-1920) was a famous theatre architecht born in Devon and raised in Torquay. While he was well known for designing theatres, he also designed pubs, cinemas and hotels as well as the interior of the Blackpool Tower including Tower Ballroom and Circus. In his lifetime he designed over 130 buildings including His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen and The Kings Theatre in Glasgow. Sadly, few of these buildings are left, and it is thought that now these are two out of 25 of his theatres still in use.

The Frank Matcham Society was founded in 1994 to celebrate his architecture and in an aim to preserve the few buildings left. It has members from all across the world and have been known to travel great distances to view his spectacular buildings.

Buildings List

These are some of Frank Matcham's designs which are still standing today:

His Majesty's Theatre - Aberdeen

Grand Opera House - Belfast

Grand Theatre - Blackpool

Prince's Theatre (rebuilding) - Bristol

Opera House - Buxton

King's Theatre - Glasgow

Royal Hall - Harrogate

Empire (old) (rebuilding) - Liverpool

Olympia - Liverpool

Alhambra Theatre (rebuilding) - London

Hippodrome - London

London Coliseum (English National Opera) - London

London Palladium - London

Richmond Theatre - London

Victoria Palace Theatre - London

Ardwick Empire - Manchester

Hippodrome - Manchester

Palace Theatre (rebuilding) - Manchester

Theatre Royal (rebuilding) - Newcastle upon Tyne

Royal Centre (rebuilding) - Nottingham

Gallery

• 
  His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen - Ext
• 
  His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen - Int
• 
  The King's Theatre Glasgow
• 
  Blackpool Tower Circus

Further Reading

WALKER, Brian (ed.):
Frank Matcham - Theatre Architect.
Belfast: Blackstaff Press 1980.

One copy of this publication is available at the Whittaker Library at the RSAMD.

Research on Frank Matcham compiled by Martin Aitken