EXETER THEATRE FIRE
150 years ago saw one of Britain's worst theatre disasters. Even though the jury reported a verdict of accidental death, was the architect to blame? On the evening of the September 5 1887, an audience of more than 800 was present for the opening night of 'Romany Rye’ at the Theatre Royal in Exeter. But during the fourth Act a fire started on stage.
Smoke and darkness quickly filled the theatre and it developed into one of the worst fire disasters of 19th century Britain. Up in the flys, the area above the stage where sets are rigged and operated, naked gas jets used to illuminate the stage, set drapes alight.
The Theatre Royal opened less than a year before the disastrous fire The theatre was on fire very quickly. The death toll was said to be around 150, mainly from the upper gallery from where there was only one exit, with a ticket office blocking the route halfway down. It was a dreadful night, despite the many desperately heroic acts of bravery.
The Theatre Royal of Exeter had opened less that a year before the disaster. It was designed by one of the most respected theatre architect of the time, Charles John Phipps
The theatre was destroyed, but since that date, stringent safety regulations have been in force in British theatres.
The monument remembers the people who lost their lives in the fire and to the right of the memorial is another one, in memory of the bravery of Bombadier F. Scattergood, who among other brave people died trying to save other lives during the fire, it was erected by his comrades.