Theatre Royal Backstage Tour

The Theatre Royal opened in 1865 and remains one of the UK's busiest regional theatres. This backstage tour takes you behind the scenes into dressing rooms, the fly gallery (where scenery hangs), and technical spaces where shows are controlled. You'll see how a working theatre operates, learn about the building's Victorian architecture, and understand the logistics of staging major productions. Tours are cancelled during performance weeks, so plan accordingly. Best for theatre lovers and performing arts students. This is a moderate activity lasting 1 hour. Group size: 3-10. You meet at Theatre Royal stage door. Key highlights: See a working stage from backstage perspective, Visit dressing rooms and actor preparation areas, Climb to the fly gallery and see scenery rigging.

Price: £12

Duration: 1 hour

Difficulty: moderate

Group size: 3-10

Minimum age: 6+

Best for: theatre lovers and performing arts students

Best time: Tuesday–Friday, 2:00pm–3:00pm. Dark weeks (when no productions are running) have the best availability. Avoid performance weeks entirely, as tours are cancelled. April–May and September–October have lighter schedules.

Meeting point: Theatre Royal stage door

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

2:00pm Meet at stage door; safety briefing and introduction - Confirm group size. Guide explains what you'll see and safety rules for backstage areas.

2:10pm–2:25pm Stage and technical areas tour - See the stage from performers' perspective. View lighting rigs, sound controls, and how technicians operate shows.

2:25pm–2:40pm Dressing rooms and actor spaces - Tour the principal dressing rooms where actors prepare. See how costume and makeup areas are organised.

2:40pm–2:55pm Fly gallery and scenery areas (if safe to access) - Climb steep stairs to the fly gallery where scenery is hung. See how elaborate sets are raised and lowered. Hands-on experience depends on safety conditions.

2:55pm–3:00pm Tour concludes; Q&A with guide - Ask questions about theatre operations, current productions, or building history.

The whole experience takes 1 hour. Difficulty: moderate. You meet at Theatre Royal stage door.

• See a working stage from backstage perspective
• Visit dressing rooms and actor preparation areas
• Climb to the fly gallery and see scenery rigging
• Learn about theatre lighting and sound systems
• Understand 160+ years of Victorian theatre operation
• Accessibility: NOT wheelchair accessible. Backstage areas involve multiple flights of steep stairs, narrow passages, and uneven floors. Fly gallery requires climbing a narrow staircase (approximately 20 steps) with low headroom. Minimum fitness level required. Inform operator of mobility concerns; some alternative routes may be possible.

What is included: Guided tour of backstage areas, Access to dressing rooms (if unoccupied), Fly gallery access (subject to safety conditions), Technical area overview with specialist explanation.

Not included: Front-of-house lobby or seating areas (separate visit), Tickets to actual performances, Refreshments. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Comfortable shoes (stairs and uneven surfaces), Phone or camera for photos, Enthusiasm for theatre operations. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: Tuesday–Friday, 2:00pm–3:00pm. Dark weeks (when no productions are running) have the best availability. Avoid performance weeks entirely, as tours are cancelled. April–May and September–October have lighter schedules..

Tip: No tours during performances

Tip: Steep stairs to fly gallery

Accessibility: NOT wheelchair accessible. Backstage areas involve multiple flights of steep stairs, narrow passages, and uneven floors. Fly gallery requires climbing a narrow staircase (approximately 20 steps) with low headroom. Minimum fitness level required. Inform operator of mobility concerns; some alternative routes may be possible..

Operator: Theatre Royal Nottingham

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Nottingham Contemporary (8 min walk)
• Lace Market (5 min walk)

This activity is run by Theatre Royal Nottingham.

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 7 days before. 50% refund 3–7 days before. Non-refundable within 3 days..

Accessibility: NOT wheelchair accessible. Backstage areas involve multiple flights of steep stairs, narrow passages, and uneven floors. Fly gallery requires climbing a narrow staircase (approximately 20 steps) with low headroom. Minimum fitness level required. Inform operator of mobility concerns; some alternative routes may be possible..

Best time to go: Tuesday–Friday, 2:00pm–3:00pm. Dark weeks (when no productions are running) have the best availability. Avoid performance weeks entirely, as tours are cancelled. April–May and September–October have lighter schedules..

Can I see the Theatre Royal backstage tour during a performance week?

No. Tours are cancelled when the theatre is staging productions. Check the theatre's events calendar before booking. Dark weeks (when no shows are scheduled) offer the most tour availability. Booking 2+ weeks ahead increases your chances of finding an open date.

Is the fly gallery tour safe for people afraid of heights?

The fly gallery involves climbing a steep staircase to approximately 40 feet above the stage. If you're uncomfortable with heights, inform the guide; they can sometimes provide an alternative ground-level tour, though the fly gallery experience will be missed.

How old is the Theatre Royal building?

The Theatre Royal opened in 1865, making it 160 years old. The Victorian building has been continuously operated as a theatre and retains original architectural features like ornate plasterwork and the original fly system for scenery.