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Gaiety Theatre & Opera House
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| Open: |
Welcome Centre:
Monday - Saturday, 9.30am - 6.30pm
Sunday, 10am - 2pm (From May 10th 2009)
Villa Marina Reception:
Monday - Saturday, From 9am
Sunday, From 10am
Tours (Summer ONLY): Saturday, 10.15am - 12pm (last entry 10.30am, Tour Starts)
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| Disabled: |
Shows: Access, inform box office when booking
Tours: Limited, lots of up and down stairs |
| Location: |
Douglas |
| Parking: |
Park along the Promenade |
History
The Gaiety Theatre was originally a large Pavilion opened in 1893, but
shortly after opening it was closed and architect Frank Matcham was
commissioned to redesign the building. In 1900 it was reopened as a grand
Opera House and Theatre and for the next 14 years it experienced great
success. The World Wars came and went, times changed the the theatre
began to fall into disrepair as it failed to be commercially profitable.
Throughout the 1950's the Theatre was used as a Cinema and by 1968 plans
were on the table for its demolition.
The Isle of Man Government acquired the building in 1971 and by 1976 they
had begun the much needed restoration. Over the many years which followed
on limited funds the building was brought back to his original design.
It remains one of the many key heritage buildings for the people of
the island as well as a centre for the Preforming Arts.
The theatre underwent a vast amount of restoration between 1990 and 2000.
In 1995, during under stage restoration the Corsican Trap was recreated
and installed. This specialised trap was to create the appearance of
gliding across as well as rising up through the stage. It gives an amazing
effect which captivates the audience. This feature of the theatre is
the only known original in the British Isles.
Location
Located on the sea front at the end of town most near the centre of the
bay. The building is well marked out the outside and is an attraction
most locals know well.
By Vehicle:
Travel to Douglas and then along the sea front to Harris Promenade and park
along the sea front.
By Bus:
Douglas can be reached using most main bus routes: 1's, 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's,
and 6's, as well as many other minor routes. On the island most routes leads
to/from Douglas. A promenade stop is closest, but access from the bus
station is not too much farther.
By Railway:
By Electric Railway, take the trams heading to Douglas. Then walk along
the Promenade to Harris Promenade where the Gaiety Theatre can be found.
(Note: It is a long walk, there are always buses and in the summer a regular
service by the Horse Drawn Trams.)
By Steam Railway, take the train to Douglas and then walk along the Quay to
the Promenade at the end of it. Then walk along to Harris Promenade where the
Gaiety Theatre can be found.
Gaiety Theatre
Harris Promenade
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 2HH
Tel Administration: +44 (0) 1624 620046
Tel Box Office: +44 (0) 1624 694555
Visiting the Gaiety Theatre
The Gaiety has seating for up to 800 people. There are different types of
seating, including private boxes. The theatre hosts shows year around
covering a variety of areas from modern pop and dance to more classical
concerts. There are also local and traveling productions.
There are fully guided tours during the summer. The tour lasts about
90 minutes and costs most areas of the theatre. See below for more information.
Cameras and camcorders welcome during tour.
The Tour starts in the Lobby. From there tickets are bought and
everyone waits for the tour to begin. A Tour Guide soon appears and begins
with the lobby, explaining how the theatre was built with a class system and
describes how it worked. There is also a mention of the man who built the
theatre, how long it took him, and how he did it.
The tour then moves on up the stairs to the upper circle (balcony seats) and
then down into the theatre for front row seats. There is then a detailed
explanation of the inside of the theatre, how it was designed, and its
restoration.
From there the group moves into the back of the theatre, behind the curtains
and onto the stage. After a little talk about the stage and backstage it is
down into the basement to see the wooden stage traps and hear about them and
how they work.
Moving back up to the stage it is onto the fire escape stairs. The Gaiety
was built with stairs designed to move people out fast during a fire.
Continuing on up into the top of the theatre far from the stage. Sitting
again to hear about this part of the theatre. Once with uncovered wooden
benches as seats it was only slightly more comfortable then the ones back
slightly which were standing only.
The tour now comes to an end as it moves into a posh refreshments room, where
souvenirs are on sale and then down into the lower refreshments room where
hot drinks and biscuits are on offer.
| Events |
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| Dates: |
Monday 03 August 2009 - Saturday 15 August 2009 |
| Description: |
The King And I. The King and I. The story of a widow who arrives in Bangkok with her young son, to teach English to the children of the royal household of King Mongkut. At the Gaiety Theatre Dougas. Tickets from £18.50. Please telephone 694555. Gaiety Theatre, Harris Promenade, DOUGLAS, www.villagaiety.com. |
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| Dates: |
Thursday 20 August 2009 - Saturday 22 August 2009 |
| Description: |
Tweenies-Top Of The Tots. The Tweenies bring their chart busting new show, Top of the Tots to the Gaiety Theatre. Adults £16.50, children under 16 years £14.50. Available from the Welcome Centre, please telephone 694555. Gaiety Theatre, Harris Promenade, DOUGLAS. |
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| Dates: |
Thursday 15 October 2009 |
| Description: |
An Evening Of Clairvoyance. An evening of clairvoyance with TV psychic Joe Power. At the Gaiety Theatre Douglas. Tickets £15.00. Please telephone 694555 for bookings. Gaiety Theatre, Harris Promenade, DOUGLAS, www.villagaiety.com. |
Event information supplied by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism & Leisure (01624 686766) |
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| Publications |
Frank Matcham: Theatre Architect
Brian Mercer Walker
Blackstaff Press Ltd, Hardcover, 20 November, 1980
ISBN: 0856402311
List Price: £5.00
Used Price: £95.76
Third Party Price: £63.00
Buy Now
More Info
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Full Circle, A: 100 Years of the Gaiety Theatre
Roy McMillan
Keith Uren Publishing, Hardcover, 12 June, 2000
ISBN: 0953862801
List Price: £19.95
Used Price: £25.26
Third Party Price: £20.00
Buy Now
More Info
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| DOUGLAS ATTRACTIONS |
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Gaiety Theatre |
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