The theatre has a capacity of 432 patrons over 3 tiers within the auditorium which is a traditional horse shoe shape. The stage is the smallest in Ireland and is framed with a Proscenium arch. A special Waterford Crystal chandelier, donated by the company in 1951 decorates the ceiling. In 2007 the theatre closed for extensive renovations and reopened to great acclaim in 2009.
The vestibule is a beautifully renovated Georgian room decorated with 3 Waterford Crystal chandeliers and houses the Waterford Municipal Art collection. The theatre now hosts civil ceremonies in the vestibule and the whole building is available for conferences.
The Theatre Royal aims to become the powerhouse for theatre arts in the south east and has been the traditional venue for local and national entertainment down the generations. It is has hosted the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera since its inception in 1958 and is the home stage for long established amateur societies.
The Theatre Royal is increasingly staging its own work and seeking to tour its own productions within the region with the assistance of Waterford City Council and The Arts Council. Theatre Royal Productions led by Director Ben Barnes brings acclaimed artists and creative teams from Ireland and overseas to work closely with local Waterford talent. The aim is to cultivate indigenous artistic expertise and knowledge whilst also producing world class theatre for the city and the region. Recent work included King Lear Review (2010) and Hamlet Review (2011 & 2012) and productions of Jim Nolan’s Sky Road (2007) Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane (2010), Eugene O’Brien’s Eden (2011) and Shelagh Stephenson’s The Memory of Water (March 2012).
Theatre Royal is right in the heart of Waterford historic Viking Triangle, the building is directly across from Waterford Crystal and is situated alongside Bishops Palace and the Waterford Museum of Treasures on the mall.
- Mick Flannery
Mick Flannery Mick Flannery’s songs are fluent in expressing layered aspects of the human condition, its flaws, triumphs, and general uncertainty.
- The Midnight Collective
Arts and cultureThe Midnight Collective LateNight @ The Royal presents The Midnight Collective with Music Generation Waterford featuring The New Brass Kings.
- DirtBirds 'Girls World Tour'
DirtBirds 'Girls World Tour' After their last sell out tour, which received standing ovations across Ireland and the UK, DirtBirds are bringing their highly relatable and spot on observational comedy back to the stage.
- Vixen by Helen Casey
Arts and cultureVixen by Helen Casey VIXEN, written by Helen Casey and performed by Rose Henderson, is a compelling psychological drama of one woman’s resilience, determination and desperation to name the love that was hers, but belonged to another.
- Rebecca O'Connor 'Simply the Best' as Tina Turner
Rebecca O'Connor 'Simply the Best' as Tina Turner Ireland's own international success story, Rebecca O’Connor, is returning once more to the beautiful Theatre Royal in Waterford. Back by popular demand don’t miss this “must see” show on Friday 17 May.
- TheatreBox present Monty Python's Spamalot
Family funTheatreBox present Monty Python's Spamalot TheatreBox are super excited to reveal that their Stage School Musical this year will be Monty Python’s Spamalot! Lovingly ripped off from the classic comedy Monty Python & The Holy Grail.
- One Night of Adele
One Night of Adele One Night Of Adele transports you into the sensational atmosphere of an Adele concert experience, you’ll hear and sing along to your favourite Adele songs… and you may even find yourself dancing in the aisles!
- Pride of the Déise LGBTQIA Festival
Family funPride of the Déise LGBTQIA Festival Join in at the Pride of the Déise LGBTQIA Festival on Friday 31 May 2024 for an all-ages open mic night!