Heritage Exhibition and Tours
The Grand Opera House has a rich and fascinating history dating back more than 128 years. If you want to know more about the famous entertainers who have appeared on our iconic stage, or the events that have left their mark on this beautiful Grade A-listed building, our Theatre Tours and heritage exhibition are for you.
Theatre Tours
A guided tour of the Theatre, led by one of our Customer Experience Assistants, is the best way to hear the story of the Grand Opera House. Follow in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin, Luciano Pavarotti and Darcey Bussell by walking out onto our famous stage; see what happens behind the scenes during a show, and explore the symbolism and meaning of the gods, elephants, stars and other stunning architectural features inside Frank Matcham’s 1895 auditorium.
The Heritage Exhibition
Completed in 2021 with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Grand Opera House Heritage Exhibition charts the history of the Theatre from its 1895 construction on the former site of Ginnett’s Circus, to the present day.
The exhibition begins in the stalls foyer with a gallery of some of the best-known performers to have appeared on the Grand Opera House stage. In the Grand Circle foyer you can learn about the life and work of the Theatre’s architect, Frank Matcham, and in the Grand Circle Bar you can see photos from some of the biggest shows to have visited in recent years.
The main part of the exhibition is in the Gods foyer, where a visual timeline and interactive touchscreens take you through the key dates and events in the Theatre’s history. Go ‘backstage’ to learn what happens behind the scenes, and join May McFettridge in her dressing room for gossip and acting tips.