By: Chris Baker, Digital Content Manager
May 2025
This year marks 43 years since the doors at Theatre Royal Plymouth opened for the first time.
Since 1982, the theatre, has been more than just a venue for world-class performance; it has become a hub for creativity and community, touching lives through its work both on and off the stage.
It’s fair to say Theatre Royal Plymouth, and our Production & Learning Centre TR2, have played a starring role in shaping Plymouth’s identity too, enriching the lives of the people who call the city home and helping to make the arts accessible to all.
As we celebrate, we reflect on the theatre’s legacy and look back on some of the moments that have helped shape it.
1982
- Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret opened Theatre Royal Plymouth in May 1982.
- Royal Charity Gala was held, with Leonard Rossiter, Dickie Henderson and Gene Pitney performing.
1984
- Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song & Dance was performed at Theatre Royal Plymouth. This was the first Cameron Mackintosh production to tour here.
1986
- Michael Bogdanov and Michael Pennington founded the English Shakespeare Company, with the inaugural production Henrys premiering here.
1989
- Buddy, co-produced with Paul Elliott, premiered at Theatre Royal Plymouth. This popular show has returned to our stage many times since.
1991
- Sir Ian McKellen appeared in a production of Richard III.
1993
- Act Now campaign – after Arts Council threatened to cut funding, a convoy of 20 coaches travelled from Plymouth to the Arts Council head office, where those opposed to the cuts sang a song from Les Mis and held a torchlight procession.
1995
- The world premiere of Jolson starring Brian Conley was held here.
1996
- Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Young Company and People’s Company were formed.
- Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake was performed on our stage, the first of many Matthew Bourne productions to be performed here.
1998
- Cameron Mackintosh’s The Phantom of the Opera started its UK tour at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
2000
- Union Street, Plymouth’s huge millennium production, was staged at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
2003
- Our world-class production and learning centre, TR2, opened.
- Cameron Mackintosh’s UK tour of Cats began its life at TR2. It was the first major set to be built in the workshop, and the company was the first to use the rehearsal rooms.
2004
- The Lyric auditorium was refurbished, including the yellow seating being replaced with blue seating.
2009
- Engagement and Learning programme, Our Space, began. The project works with adults experiencing multiple disadvantages, including homelessness, mental health issues, addiction, and reoffending.
- The Young Company performed Blackout by Davey Anderson at the National Theatre as part of NT Connections.
2010
- Complicite’s A Disappearing Number was broadcast live across the world from the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
- Engagement and Learning programme, Dialogues, began – this was TRP’s work with refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities and included Dove Tales, Dare to Be Different and Dare to Dazzle.
2012
- Cameron Mackintosh’s tour of The Phantom of the Opera opened here.
2014
- 23 young men from Plymouth and surrounding areas performed in Matthew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies.
- TR2 Workshop were part of the creation team for the famous poppies on display at the Tower of London.
2015
- TR2 Workshop helped with the creation of St Luke’s Hospice’s flower display.
2016
- The first Funky Llama Festival took place on Plymouth Hoe.
- In My Dreams I Dream I’m Dreaming – Our Space’s first show was performed in The Drum.
2018
- Our Engagement and Learning team produced Boots at the Door with the Armed Forces community on The Lyric stage.
2019
- Messenger arrived outside the theatre. She is the largest cast bronze sculpture in the UK, and was created by Cornish-born artist Joseph Hillier. Read more about Messenger here.
2021
- The Drum theatre was refurbished.
- We reopened our doors for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak.
2022
- CEO Adrian Vinken retired after 30 years in the role. James Mackenzie-Blackman was appointed as his replacement.
- TRP celebrated 40 years with a week of special performances, 40 Extraordinary Years.
2023
- Dame Darcey Bussell DBE was appointed Chair of the Board.
- TRP hosted members of the Wampanoag tribe to present their show, We Are The Land, on our Lyric stage.
2024
- Theatre Royal Plymouth co-produced three major productions: The Artist, The Devil Wears Prada, and Tom Fletcher’s The Creakers.
- We declared a Climate Emergency, made pledges to reduce our carbon footprint, and installed solar panels on the roof of TR2.
- We staged The Key, a promenade-style production involving 160 community participants, to celebrate TR2’s 21st birthday.
In 2025, we’re looking forward to opening the world premiere of Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet, a UK exclusive run of The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, and a six-week season of Hamilton this summer.
A theatre can be much more than a building, and Theatre Royal Plymouth is proof of that. It’s been the beating heart of a community for 43 years… and counting.