PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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REPERTORY THEATRE
The former Mechanic's Institute building on the corner of Westwell Street and Princess Square, Plymouth, was transformed into the Repertory Theatre by Mr George Sidney King and Mr H Parry, joint owners of the Grand Theatre in East Stonehouse. It was opened on Friday December 24th 1915 with "A Bunch of Violets". Admission prices ranged from 6d to two shillings. Although it had only a small stage and even smaller dressing-rooms, Mr King kept it going despite all the odds until he died in 1927. It was then taken over by Mr Bernard Copping, a London actor who had been engaged by Mr George King back in 1921 to help restore the Theatre's fortunes. He continued to provide a weekly change of programme in spite of the Plymouth audience's apathy towards plays. It closed for a short time in 1929 but otherwise managed to remain open until Saturday May 4th 1935. The final production was "Devonshire Cream" with Mr A Davenport Adams, Miss Lesley Dean, Mr R Meadows White, Mr Leslie Sanders, Mr Ray Reyner, Miss Sadie Speight, and Miss Betty Sparks. Sources (incomplete):
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