His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen


This is a large collection of material including correspondence, leaflets, posters, presscuttings and programmes.

The architect Frank Matchan first submitted his plans for His Majesty's in 1901. Construction began in 1904 and on Monday 3 December 1906 His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen opened under the management of Harry Adair Nelson. Every seat had been booked for weeks in advance and the first production was the operatic pantomime Little Red Riding Hood, which played to packed houses for four weeks.  In 1923 Robert Arthur decided to sell His Majesty's. Walter Gilbert, manager of the Tivoli, took control. Gilbert died in 1931 and the theatre was put up for sale by auction. In 1933 James Donald, a local councillor, purchased the theatre for £35,000.  In 1975 His Majesty's was sold to Aberdeen Council for £250,000, and in 1979 the council allocated over £3 million for renovation. On 17 September 1982 HRH Prince Charles attended the gala re-opening.

The theatre seats around 1470 people and was reopened in September 2005 following a major £8million re-development.

How to find material relating to His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen

See also

  • His Majesty's Theatre: details of latest and future productions, plus latest news, information and photographs outlining the history of the theatre