Open Day at Royal Hall
Release Date: 7 May 2008
Over five and half thousand people filed through Harrogate's
Royal Hall with a queue forming early on that snaked back along
Kings Road for a quarter mile.
Harrogate International Centre, who operate the Royal Hall,
were delighted to give residents and visitors to the area an
opportunity to see for themselves the extent of the magnificent
restoration work on bank holiday Monday 5 May.
A stilt walker and mime act were outside the Hall to entertain
the waiting crowd, whilst inside the Hall local dance schools Ava
Dance, St Eldred Dancers and Katrina Hughes Dancers performed
throughout the day, along with local pianist Martin Moss.
Visitors lingered throughout their tour to take in the
magnificence and the extent of the restoration, which was funded by
a Heritage Lottery Grant of £6m, £2.1m from Harrogate
Borough Council and a sterling programme of fundraising by the
Royal Hall Restoration Trust of £2.7m.
Many of those who came to the Open Day remembered the Royal
Hall from its hey day. Visitor's comments included, "A magnificent
effort, heartfelt thanks to everyone concerned", "We met here
at a dance 53 years ago a beautiful theatre", "Very proud to see it
restored".
The Royal Hall was first opened in 1903 and was designed by
celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham. Originally called the
Kursaal, the name was changed to Royal Hall to reflect a more
patriotic position during World War 1. Kursaal is a German word
meaning cure hall, but in practice it is used primarily for grand
receptions and special occasions. A commemorative book entitled
Kursaal is available from Harrogate's Tourist Information Centre
for those wishing to trace in detail the history of the
building.
The restoration took nearly two years to complete and was
re-opened by HRH Prince Charles on 22nd January 2008.
Three inaugural concerts took place in late April with
performances by the Halle Orchestra, Manchester Camerata and
Honorary President of the Restoration Trust, Edward Fox, performed
in 'Beloved Clara'.
Forthcoming entertainments include comedian Dave Spikey,
indie-rock band D'Nile and The Carnival of Legends by Terrry
Deary.
