Royal Exchange Theatre

Overview

The Royal Exchange Theatre is a unique theatre-in-the-round housed inside the Grade II* listed Royal Exchange building — once the world's largest room for cotton trading. The futuristic capsule auditorium sits dramatically inside the Victorian hall.

Highlights

• The Module: A steel-and-glass capsule seating 750 people, suspended within the Great Hall.
• Great Hall: The magnificent trading hall with its ornate dome, now a public space with café and craft shop.
• Programme: Acclaimed new writing, classic revivals and experimental work.

History

The Cotton Exchange operated from this site from 1729 until 1968. The theatre company was founded in 1976 and installed the now-iconic module structure. The building was severely damaged by the 1996 IRA bomb and painstakingly restored.

Visitor Tips

• Tickets: From £10; many performances offer £10 tickets for under-26s.
• Café: The Great Hall café is worth a visit even without a show.
• Duration: 2–3 hours (performance).