Take in a show at one of York’s most beautiful venues; the Grand Opera House.
Just a short stroll from the Grand hotel, the Opera House offers world-class entertainment, in a luxurious and atmospheric setting.
The buildings that comprise the Grand Opera House York were not originally intended to be a theatre. The tall section was built as York’s Corn Exchange in 1868 and it was planned to use it as a concert hall from time to time. The auditorium was originally a warehouse opening onto Kings Street. In 1902 after the Corn Exchange failed, the buildings were converted into the Grand Opera House by William Peacock. The theatre opened on January 20th 1902 with Little Red Riding Hood starring Florrie Ford. In 1903 the name became "The Grand Opera House and Empire" because new regulations banned smoking in serious theatre but allowed it in music hall type theatres and smoking was fashionable at the time.
In 1987 the theatre was purchased by India Pru Co. Ltd who spent £4,000,000 restoring it to its former glory. The decor is very similar to how it was in the beginning; the carpet is a rewoven copy of the original with the GOH logo incorporated into it and the light fittings sympathetic to the period style. It was made structurally sound, a new stage was built and a new foyer excavated beneath. The entrance on Clifford Street was made into a Box Office and Cumberland Street became the main entrance. Clifford Street has since been restored as an entrance to the auditorium as well as the Box Office.
Speak to our Hotel Concierge about booking tickets for the latest show, and to find out what is playing during your proposed visit. A visit to the Opera House affords an exhilarating, entertaining evening, which can be rounded off by a drink or two in our exclusive Whisky Lounge.
Visit www.grandoperahouseyork.org.uk for further details.