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United Kingdom York North Yorkshire Theatre

Grand Opera House York

Grand Opera House York
About

The Grand Opera House in York is a Grade II listed theatre with a colourful history, standing at the corner of Clifford Street and Cumberland Street. Originally built in 1868 as a corn exchange and warehouse, it was transformed in 1902 by architect John Priestley Briggs into a grand music hall and theatre, opening with the pantomime Little Red Riding Hood. Over the decades it staged opera, plays, pantomimes, and early silent films, later becoming known as the Empire Theatre. Like many venues, it faced decline in the mid‑20th century, closing in 1956 before being repurposed as a bingo hall, roller skating rink, and wrestling venue under the name S.S. Empire. After years of neglect, it was restored and reopened in 1989 as a live theatre, returning to its original splendour. Today, under the management of the Ambassador Theatre Group, the Grand Opera House hosts a vibrant programme of touring musicals, drama, comedy, and concerts, continuing its legacy as one of York’s most beloved cultural landmarks.

York United Kingdom
Location

Grand Opera House York is located at the corner of Clifford Street and Cumberland Street, York, YO1 9SW, in the city’s historic town centre. It is close to a variety of popular attractions including York Dungeon, Clifford’s Tower, and the riverside area, with the Jorvik Viking Centre and Fairfax House also within a short walking distance. The venue is surrounded by numerous shops, restaurants, and cafés primarily located along King Street, Castlegate, and Bridge Street, providing visitors with a vibrant cultural and dining scene nearby.

York Castle Museum York Castle Museum York Jorvik Viking Centre Jorvik Viking Centre York Yorkshire Museum Yorkshire Museum York National Railway Museum National Railway Museum York York Art Gallery York Art Gallery York Richard III Experience at Monk Bar Richard III Experience at Monk Bar York Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar York Merchant Adventurers’ Hall Merchant Adventurers’ Hall York Fairfax House Fairfax House York York Theatre Royal York Theatre Royal York Joseph Rowntree Theatre Joseph Rowntree Theatre York Friargate Theatre Friargate Theatre York According to McGee Gallery According to McGee Gallery York Blue Tree Gallery Blue Tree Gallery York Art of Protest Gallery Art of Protest Gallery York The Pyramid Gallery The Pyramid Gallery York Clifford’s Tower Clifford’s Tower York York City Walls York City Walls York Micklegate Bar Micklegate Bar York Bootham Bar Bootham Bar York Walmgate Bar Walmgate Bar York York Minster York Minster York St Michael le Belfrey Church St Michael le Belfrey Church York Holy Trinity Church Holy Trinity Church York St Martin le Grand Church St Martin le Grand Church York St Denys’s Church St Denys’s Church York Shambles Shambles York Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate York Shambles Market Shambles Market York Multangular Tower Multangular Tower York St Mary’s Abbey St Mary’s Abbey York York Observatory York Observatory York Roman Column Roman Column York Constantine the Great Statue Constantine the Great Statue York Treasurer’s House Treasurer’s House York The Mansion House The Mansion House York Museum Gardens Museum Gardens York Rowntree Park Rowntree Park York Homestead Park Homestead Park York Dean’s Park Dean’s Park York

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