Leicester Haymarket Theatre

The Leicester Haymarket Theatre is a theatre in Leicester, England, next to the Haymarket Shopping Centre on Belgrave Gate in Leicester City centre.

Leicester Haymarket Theatre
Entrance to the Leicester Haymarket Theatre following refurbishment in 2018
Address1 Garrick Walk, Harmarket,
Leicester
England
OwnerING Real Estate Management
Capacity901 (main theatre) 120 (studio theatre)
Current usePerforming arts centre
Construction
Opened1973 (1973)
Years active1973–2007, 2018–2020
ArchitectBuilding Design Partnership
Website
www.haytheatre.com

History

The Haymarket Theatre was opened by Sir Ralph Richardson and the opening season started with The Recruiting Officer on 17 October 1973, Economic Necessity on 24 October and Cabaret on 21 November. Leicester City Council purchased a 99-year lease of the theatre in 1974.

Between 1974 and 2007 the theatre was operated by The Leicester Theatre Trust. The trust vacated the theatre in 2007 when it moved to the newly built Curve Theatre, Leicester in Leicester's Cultural Quarter. The last show held at the Haymarket by the Leicester Theatre Trust was Wizard of Oz starring Helena Blackman and Ceri Dupree in 2006. The theatre was closed in 2007 and remained so for the next 10 years.

In June 2016 the management of the theatre was taken over by an organisation known as the Haymarket Consortium who undertook that it would be re-opened as a performance, training and e-sports venue.[1][2] The theatre was re-opened for performances on 2 March 2017 and a formal opening ceremony took place later that year. [3] The theatre closed again in March 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic and entered liquidation on 22 May 2020. [4]

Metal Tree sculpture

The Metal Tree sculpture by Hubert Dalwood, at the front of the entrance to the Haymarket Theatre, was the only major piece of abstract sculpture in the city centre for many years. It was unveiled in 1974.[5]

Notable productions
  • Red-brick exterior to the theatre
  • Foyer area demonstrating Brutailst architecture
  • The main auditorium has 901 seats
  • The main stage is the largest in England
  • Metal Tree sculpture

See also

References
  1. "Page Not Found". thestage.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2019. Cite uses generic title (help)
  2. "Disused Haymarket theatre 'could reopen'". 2 June 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  3. "Latest updates: East Midlands Live". BBC News. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  4. "Coronavirus forces Leicester's Haymarket Theatre out of business" – via leicestermercury.co.uk.
  5. http://www.haymarketshoppingcentre.com/sculpture/
  6. http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/LeicesterTheatres/HaymarketTheatreLeicester.htm


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