Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

Let yourself be transported back to the world of Georgian theatre!

Experience one of the UK’s most significant theatre buildings by visiting the beautiful grade 1-listed Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. Built in 1819, it is the country’s only surviving example of a Regency playhouse. The elegant neoclassical, beautifully decorated building can be explored by a variety of guided tours and is open to visitors four days a week. Since it is a working theatre you might have the additional privilege to take a sneak peak at actors rehearsing for a show or observe technicians setting up the stage for the current production!  

We offer a wide range of contemporary drama, dance, music, comedy and family shows alongside our period productions. If you are interested in historic productions, look out for shows and events labelled ReVisit and Restoring the Repertoire™ – they represent the theatre’s unique offer of heritage-themed period plays, rehearsed readings, lectures, workshops and family events.  

Available Guided Tours
Heritage Tour: lasts approximately one hour and twenty minutes. It will take you through almost 200 years of theatrical history and you may even be able to eavesdrop on conversations between characters associated with the Theatre's past!  

Actors, plays and backstage gossip (from autumn 2009): this newly created tour will entertain you with delightful bits of actors’ biographies and theatrical tittle-tattle. Who was the most famous actor who ever trod the boards in Bury? What is Jane Austen’s link to the theatre and who was Jocko, the Brazilian Ape?  

Theatre Royal children’s tour: This interactive and highly entertaining tour is aimed at 7-11-year olds. For groups of ten or more. For more information and to book, please ring Lynn Whitehead, Head of Learning, on 01284 829935 or email lynn@theatreroyal.org.  

Opening Times
Please note that due to the Theatre’s performance and rehearsal schedule the building will not always be accessible during opening times. You are strongly advised to check in advance with the Box Office!  
 
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Open Doors 2-4pm / Heritage Tour 2pm
Saturdays and Sundays: Open Doors 10.30am-1pm / Heritage Tour 11am  

Admission Prices
Open Doors without guided tour: £1.50. Children under 10 are free.

Guided tour: £6 (£5 for National Trust members, Friends of the Theatre Royal and concessions). Children under 10 are free.

Ticket prices for performances vary. Please call the Box Office on 01284 769505 or visit www.theatreroyal.org for further details.  

Booking
To book guided tours for individuals and groups under 10 please call the Box Office on 01284 769505.

We offer exciting themed packages for groups who would like to make the most of their day out. To find out more about our group offers please visit our website, call 01284 829957 or email grouptours@theatreroyal.org.  

Facilities
Refreshments: The Greene Room bar is open two hours before matinees and evening performances. Refreshments are available during Open Doors and guided tours. Please contact our group tours co-ordinator on 01284 829957 or email grouptours@theatreroyal.org for further details about eating at the Theatre Royal.

Parking: Limited parking in Westgate Street. Nearest car park (Pay & Display) in Swan Lane (546 yards). Please call the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01284 769505 for further parking options.  

Accessibility
Building:
Ramped entrance with full access to Greene Room bar, foyer and Dress Circle; stairs to other levels. Accessible toilets in the foyer.
Accessible Events: Audio described, captioned and BSL performances for blind, partially sighted, deaf, deafened and hard of hearing audiences.

The Theatre offers tours for the visually impaired. Please contact Heritage Manager Helga Brandt on 01284 829 944 or helga@theatreroyal.org for more details.