Copyright © 2023 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
Mike Hume, Rick Boychuk and I hopped a plane on the morning of Sept. 17, 2023. Our final destination was the Gaiety Theatre and Opera House in Douglas on the Isle of Man.
Our descent to the Isle of Man on Sept. 17, 2023.
A view of the countryside between Douglas and the airport. When the sun comes out, it is paradise.
For quite some time, this theater has been on my bucket list.
Why?
Because of the drop curtain, painted by William T. Hemsley (1850-1918). It is absolutely exquisite, and one of the best examples of historic scenic art out there.
Drop curtain at the Gaiety Theatre.
For years, I have searched for detail images of Hemsley’s painting technique in online photos. My next post will look at the painted composition in detail. This post is about everything else.
Our tour guide was Alex Davidson, Light and Sound Technician at Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre. Both are located along the promenade in Douglas.
Mike Hume, Wendy Waszut-Barrett, Alex Davidson and Rick Boychuk, in front of the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, Isle of Man, Sept. 18, 2023.
For geographical context, here is a map with the location of the theater.
The theater is right near the red box that says ” You are Here.”
The garden across from the theatre, alongside the Promenade.
As the tide comes in later that day.
Another view of the Promenade later that day when the tide is in again.
A view of the theatre from the beach at low tide on the morning of Sept. 18, 2023.
Yes, we saw our share of rain. Especially when Mike and I went to visit the Laxey waterwheel on the morning of our second day in Douglas. By the way, Lady Isabella is the largest waterwheel in the world. Here are a few photos from our side trip.
The waterwheel in Laxey, Lady Isabella.
Another view of the water wheel.
Information about the water wheel.
Mechanical information.
But the sun came out by the afternoon. Back to the Gaiety Theatre…
Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, Isle of Man.
Designed by architect Frank Matcham, the Gaiety Theatre opened on July 16, 1900. It was constructed on the same site of a previous venue; an entertainment pavilion. Matcham’s design utilized many parts of the original structure, including the roof.
The Pavilion Theatre, Douglas, Isle of Man.
Interior of the Pavilion Theatre, Douglas, Isle of Man.
A portion of the Pavilion Theatre’s ceiling still remains in the gallery section of the auditorium.
Our visit to both the grid and dome above the auditorium ceiling gave us an opportunity to examine the original structure.
The original Pavilion Theatre roof and the Gaiety Theatre grid, with Rick Boychuk for scale.
Alex Davidson on the Gaiety Theatre gridiron.
Mike Hume next to the drum for the paint frame.
Drum for the paint frame below.
Above the auditorium dome, designed by Frank Matcham for the Gaiety Theatre. It was placed well below the original Pavilion Theatre roof.
Ornamental iron work remains above the current auditorium doom.
The original Pavilion ceiling was incorporated into Matcham’s design for the ceiling above the gallery.
Part of an original Pavilion Theatre arch was preserved in the stairwell.
Here are some photographs of the auditorium.
Grand drape at the Gaiety Theatre.
The ceiling of the auditorium.
Ceiling detail.
Auditorium boxes, house left.
Auditorium boxes, house right.
View from the house left box.
Another view of house right box and drop curtain.
View from the house right box.
Statuary near house right box.
More architectural details.
More architectural details.
Entrance to the Gaiety Theatre.
Behind the Main Drape.
Movable grooves, so that the wings can be angled.
Movable grooves, so that the wings can be angled.
Upstage. Notice the underside of the paint room and bridge.
Doorway to the paint room.
Paint room at the Gaiety Theatre.
Another view of the paint room.
Skylights for paint room. Alex pulled one of the shades. The angle of the light is perfect so that no shadows are cast on the frame when one is painting.
Movable paint frame.
Paint frame detail.
Paint room sink.
Windlass for the paint frame.
Another view of the windlass.
Under-stage machinery at the Gaiety Theatre.
Here are some images of the machinery below the stage.
Under-stage machinery at the Gaiety Theatre.
Under-stage machinery at the Gaiety Theatre.
The Corsican Trap at the Gaiety Theatre.
A working model of the Coriscan Trap.
A working model of the Corsican Trap. The model researched and constructed by Robert Stafford. The model was designed and painted by John Romayne.
The paperwork for the Corsican Trap Model with history and other information.
Under-stage machinery at the Gaiety Theatre.
Here is a link to see an 8-minute YouTube video of the Gaiety Theatre Traps in action, including the Corsican Model and Corsican Trap: https://youtu.be/-TyNJKbB88g?si=F7p7fEf_3Ah-K-Zh
If you are interested in learning more about this exquisite venue, please consider purchasing “A Full Circle, 100 Years of the Gaiety Theatre and Opera House” by Roy McMillan.
Here is a link to the venue’s website:https://www.villagaiety.com/hire-us/gaiety-theatre/
To be continued…
