To spot His Majesty’s Theatre, look for a grand, granite-clad building with a rounded green copper dome and a gold-lettered sign that reads “His Majesty’s” just above the main entrance-right across from Union Terrace Gardens.
Now, as you stand here, take in the sight of those majestic granite walls-each stone, brought from nearby Kemnay, gleaming in the Aberdeen sun. Imagine the year is 1906, horse-drawn carriages rattling along Rosemount Viaduct, a crowd bustling with excitement outside this glittering new landmark. The theatre was the dream-child of Robert Arthur, a Glaswegian theatre entrepreneur who’d already left his mark across Scotland and England. He looked at Aberdeen and thought, we need a palace for the performing arts-a real showstopper.
So, Robert Arthur partnered up with Frank Matcham, the superstar of theatre architects, and pitched his grand plans to the city council back in 1901. Aberdeen, ever so practical, took a couple of years to say yes, but once they did, there was no stopping Arthur’s ambitions. Construction kicked off in 1904, and just two years later, the doors opened to a jaw-dropping space that could seat over 1,400-making it the biggest theatre in North-East Scotland.
But the story doesn’t stop there. Robert Arthur’s empire hit some money trouble in 1912-let’s call it the “intermission nobody bought tickets for.” That’s when Michael Simons and the mighty Howard & Wyndham theatre company swooped in, keeping the curtain lifted for Aberdeen audiences. Over the decades, the theatre swapped hands more times than a program at interval: from Simons to Walter Gilbert, then to the lively Donald family, who kitted the place out with some cutting-edge 1930s tech-think neon lights, cinema projectors, and even a revolving stage.
Through all this, His Majesty’s Theatre became a gem for drama, opera, pantomime, and everything in between. And here’s a slice of theatre trivia: unlike its London cousin (which changed names to Her Majesty’s when Queen Elizabeth II took the throne), this Aberdeen original always stayed “His Majesty’s”-just like its far-off twin in Perth, Western Australia. The spirit of tradition lives strong in these granite bones!
By the time the 1970s rolled around, the future of the theatre was in doubt. Aberdeen’s city fathers stepped in, bought the building, and, with a sprinkle of council magic (and £3.5 million), gave it a much-needed facelift. In 1982, after nearly two years of silence, the grand old theatre was opened again-this time by King Charles III, then just Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay.
Fast forward to the early 2000s-Aberdeen decided that “timeless” didn’t have to mean “stuck in time.” The city invested heavily in a state-of-the-art extension, adding everything from a shiny glass foyer to extra bars, a new restaurant, and spaces for dance and rehearsal. You’ll spot the modern glass frontage and elegant Kemnay granite used to match the original, all topped off with a pre-patinated copper roof echoing that famous dome above.
Inside, if you could peek, you’d see an auditorium dressed in lush Baroque and neo-Jacobean style, a copper-dome tower, and-perched high above-a dramatic statue of Tragedy and Comedy, which has witnessed more standing ovations than you can count! In 2006, celebrating its hundredth birthday, the theatre was twinned with its Perth counterpart, swapping stories of showbiz and Scottish weather.
Even today, His Majesty’s Theatre is the buzzing heart of the city’s arts scene, managed by Aberdeen Performing Arts, and home to everything from national theatre tours to local productions. And if you fancy a modern treat after the show, the award-winning ‘Terrace Bar’ just reopened in 2022-perfect for a post-performance toast. Just think: for more than a century, from grand openings to stormy nights, laughter, applause, and the occasional dramatic gasp have all echoed through these polished granite walls. Not bad for a night out in Aberdeen, eh?
