Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester

History | Great Hall | Nearby | Access | Hotels

The Royal Exchange Theatre in central Manchester has a reputation as one of the best and most innovative theatres in the country.

Theatre Entrance

History

The main theatre is housed within the old Manchester Cotton Exchange (hence the name). The building was once the “largest room for commerce in the world,” according to the theatre’s website.

The theatre is a seven-sided steel and glass module, seating 700 people, suspended from four large columns that also support the building’s central dome. A smaller theatre, The Studio, seats an audience of 120 people.

Royal Exchange, Manchester

The Great Hall

The Great Hall, where the Royal Exchange Theatre is located also features art exhibitions, contains a Craft Shop, an Education Lounge, and a restaurant and bar.

One of my best memories of the theatre was the classic production of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting For Godot” starring Max Wall and Trevor Peacock in 1980.

The theatre was officially opened by Sir Laurence Olivier on 15 September 1976 and is associated with a long list of famous directors and actors.

The grand exterior of the building

Nearby

The Royal Exchange Theatre is near the Arndale Center, Urbis, the former site of the Wheel of Manchester, the National Football Museum, and Manchester Cathedral in central Manchester.

Looking up to the glass dome in the ceiling

Access – Getting There

Royal Exchange Theatre (www.royalexchange.co.uk)
St Ann’s Square
Manchester
M2 7DH
Box Office: 0161 833 9833

Victoria is the nearest station. There is a large multi-story car park next door to the Arndale Centre with 1450 spaces. The theatre is also a 15 to 20-minute walk from Piccadilly Station.