THE THEATRE IN SCOTLAND

The earliest known production of any play in Scotland was held in Aberdeen in 1440. The play was called "The Halie Blude". In 1601 a company of English comedians (possibly including William Shakespeare) played a season under the management of Lawrence Fletcher. However, after the Reformation there was some opposition to the theatre and it was not until 1779 that permission was once given for actors to perform in the theatre.

THEATRE ROYAL, ABERDEEN

The Aberdeen Theatre was known originally as the Old Band-Box and then the Theatre Royal. It was built in 1795 in Marischal Street, at a cost of £3,000 ($6000). It could seat 600 people and was purchased in 1812 by John Fraser (father of Jessie Fraser).

Corbet Ryder took over as manager of the theatre in 1817 until his death in C.1839. Corbet brought many prominent actors to the theatre, including Edmund Kean, William Charles Macready, John Philip Keble, Daniel Terry and Sheridan Knowles.

The last season at the Theatre Royal was in 1872-73. In December 1872 a new theatre was opened in Guild Street and was named Her Majesty's Theatre and Opera House.

The old Theatre Royal is now the home of the Elim Pentecostal Church. (Pictured on the right. Photo courtesy of Ian Ryder, 2002).
 

CORBET AND JESSIE RYDER'S THEATRE COMPANY

In 1788 a statute permitted plays to be performed at certain theatres during a short theatrical season. At other times the theatres were occupied by performances of recitals, concerts, etc.

It was during these times that Corbet and Jessie's company travelled around the northern parts of Scotland. This was called "The Northern Circuit".

They would leave Aberdeen when the theatrical season ended, then they would travel to Perth, where they would perform for the next two months. At the end of June, they would leave Perth and play for a few weeks in Montrose.

At the beginning of August they would open at the Dundee Theatre, situated in Castle Street. During August and September they would play a season at Dundee together with performances at the Trades Hall in Arbroath. At the end of September they would return to Aberdeen.

In 1829 Corbet and Jessie's son, Thomas, joined the travelling company and took over the running of the company which allowed Corbet and Jessie to concentrate on their acting. "The Northern Circuit" was extended to include the towns of Forfar, Stonehaven, Inverness and many small places. The company continued to tour "the Northern Circuit" for 30 years.
 

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