Fire of 1856

In 1856 Professor J.H.Anderson, the self-styled “Wizard of the North” rented the theatre for a series of entertainments.  Frederick Gye, the manager of the theatre, expressly refused permission for a bal masqué, but Anderson used Gye’s travel to Paris to disobey.  It was during this unruly masked ball that the theatre was completely destroyed by fire.

Image © Royal Ballet and Opera

Back