A Look Behind the Curtain at Richmond Theatre

By Sam Woodward

There is something very special about seeing a theatre when it is empty. No audience, no pre-show chatter, no rush to find your seat. Just the building itself, subtly showing off. And on Friday, Richmond Theatre had every right to.

We were invited to a press and content creator event at the venue, where we were given a guided tour not just of the beautiful auditorium, but of backstage areas too, including the chance to step out onto the stage itself. For anyone who loves theatre, that is the sort of invitation you do not turn down. And Richmond Theatre really is a gem.

Tucked beside Richmond Green, the building feels completely at home in its surroundings. It has that lovely sense of being part of the area rather than separate from it, and the view of the green from the dress circle bar’s balcony proved this. Richmond itself has a long theatrical history, and we were told during the tour that Shakespeare himself performed in As You Like It for Queen Elizabeth I at Richmond Palace, just a stone’s throw from the current theatre’s location. Long before the current building arrived, theatre in Richmond already had deep roots.

The theatre we see today opened in 1899, designed by architect Frank Matcham, and its first production was, fittingly, As You Like It. From the outside, the theatre is striking, with red brick and buff terracotta detailing giving it real presence. But inside is where it really gets you. The auditorium is gorgeous, full of rich red seating, ornate plasterwork, elegant curves and a chandelier dramatic enough to demand its own moment of appreciation. It is exactly the kind of room that reminds you theatre buildings can be part of the magic too. It is historic, yes, but it does not feel old, worn or dusty. It still feels very much alive and ready to entertain.

One of the most interesting things I learned on the tour was that Richmond Theatre originally seated around 1,200 people, while today it holds around 850. Even so, it still feels wonderfully intimate, and part of that comes down to the design. Thanks to Matcham’s cantilever system, the theatre was built without the kind of restricted views that older venues can sometimes suffer from, which only adds to the sense that it was designed not just to impress, but to be enjoyed properly. So next time you’re booking tickets, remember that every seat in the theatre offers a clear view of the magic happening on stage.

Getting to stand on the stage and look back into the auditorium was a real highlight. From the stage, you feel a theatre differently than if you’re sitting in the audience. You notice the sweep of the balconies, the warmth of the colours, the detail of the decoration, and the scale of the room as a shared space. Empty, it still felt full of character.

The backstage areas were fascinating to see too, not glamorous or polished, but cramped, functional and sometimes uncomfortable. It is a real testament to the cast, crew and theatre staff who navigate these spaces every day to create something so seamless and beautiful on stage. What the visit reminded me is that theatres are so much more than the show you see there on one particular night. They are entire worlds, full of history, hidden routes, backstage life and small details most audiences never get to see. Richmond Theatre has all of that, along with the kind of auditorium that makes simply walking in feel like an event.

A big part of what made this tour so enjoyable was the tour itself, led by Ethan, a young actor, whose enthusiasm for the building and its history made the whole thing feel warm, personal and genuinely fun. It never felt like a dry history lesson. Instead, it felt like being shown around by someone who really cared about the theatre and wanted everyone else to fall a little bit in love with it too.

We also got to see historic programmes, old tickets and archival architectural plans, which gave a real sense of the many lives the building has lived. Richmond Theatre is a place layered with memory, and you feel that as you move through it. There have been several purpose built theatres in Richmond over time, and this one feels like a very worthy part of that legacy.

And perhaps best of all, it is not just a beautiful old building to admire from afar. It is a working theatre with plenty going on. Richmond Theatre offers public guided tours of the venue, a 90 minute all access experience exploring its history, present and future, with selected dates booking through to 27 August 2026. It is a brilliant way to discover more of the building for yourself, especially if you have ever wanted to see what lies beyond the auditorium.

There is also plenty coming up on stage. Upcoming shows include Sunny Afternoon from 31 March to 4 April, Carlos Acosta’s Carmen from 8 to 11 April, Single White Female from 14 to 18 April, Live at Richmond Theatre on 25 April, and Blood Brothers in May. Beyond performances and tours, the venue also hosts choir sessions, workshops, and various educational courses for all ages.

If you have never been, Richmond Theatre feels like the sort of place that could quickly become a favourite. And if you already know it, seeing more of it only makes it more special. I had a brilliant time exploring it and came away with an even greater appreciation for this beautiful local venue.

Richmond, you are lucky to have it.

For more information, or to get tickets, go to https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/whats-on/