Site type THEATRE
Canmore ID 144979
Site Number NJ90NW 399
NGR NJ 93748 06368
Council ABERDEEN, CITY OF
Parish ABERDEEN
Former Region GRAMPIAN
Former District CITY OF ABERDEEN
Former County ABERDEENSHIRE

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Archaeological Notes

NJ90NW 399 93748 06368

Architectural Notes

Architect: Frank Matcham 1904.

(Location cited as NJ 9378 0636). Theatre: designed by Frank Matcham, built 1904-6 and opened December 1906. Some modification by D MacAndrew and Co in 1933, the sightlines being improved at a cost of ?35,000. Completely refurbished in the 1980's, a new counterweight system and lift being installed backstage.
Free Renaissance four-storey Kemnay granite ashlar front, asymmetrically treated with columned and copper-capped dome on the E. Spacious and well-preserved interior, handsomely treated throughout in mixed baroque and neo-Jacobean strapwork decoration with much alabaster and marble. Large auditorium seated for 2550 with three galleries, the dress circle being not fully cantilevered with two columns. Elaborate aedicular treatment of boxes; frieze over the proscenium arch by W H Buchan.
(Newspaper references cited).
NMRS, MS/72/83.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES
Aberdeen Press and Journal - 8th August 1933 article titled 'Aberdeen's new theatre opens next Monday'
Sightline, vol 15, No1

Walker, Brian [ed.] (1980) Frank Matcham: theatre architect, Belfast
Held at RCAHMS H.2.MAT