2-979-520 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Queen's Theatre and Opera-house, Edinburgh, 1857. 'This newly-built theatre, designed by Mr. Bryce, is considered to be creditable to the taste and skill of the architect, both as regards the picturesque frontage of the building, and the commodious and convenient construction of the interior. The house is seated for about 1700, having three tiers of boxes and galleries...The adoption of the semicircular, instead of the horseshoe, form of the house greatly foreshortens the distance between the centre boxes and the stage, and thus enhances both the power of the voice and the effect of the scene. Indeed, from the furthest seat of the gallery the line of vision is perfect, and the actor or vocalist will be distinctly heard in every corner...[The theatre] has been leased from the shareholders by Mr. Black, whose management has been characterised by great spirit and enterprise'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.