Site Event/Activity record ECH4304 - Archaeological investigations at the Royalty Theatre, 20 City Road, Chester in 2002

The documentary assessment demonstrated that the current theatre was built in 1882 to replace an early structure built in 1874. The theatre saw many changes in its fortunes in the 70 years from 1882, and had to cope with several different trends in entertainment fashion, with a wide variety of acts appearing and the introduction of early cinema. In 1956 the interior was completely remodelled and the original ornate seats were removed. Unfortunately, the theatre in general was in something of a decline in Britain by this point, and the Royalty survived by varying its performances even more, and opening less often. By 1990, the theatre had closed and the basement of the building was converted into a nightclub. The building survey was able to recognise several features which related to documented events in the building's history, in particular the major alterations of 1956 and 1990. It also established that the large facade on the west side of the building was probably added shortly after the theatre was built, rather than being part of the original structure. The alterations of 1956 had inadvertently preserved some features behind the decorative side walls, as well as retaining two statues which were part of the original decoration. Several of the rooms on the first and second floors appear to have undergone very little alteration and retained several early fittings and minor structural details. The following archaeological evaluation comprising three linear trenches and six test pits revealed the following: a) No Roman features, but the presence of redeposited 2nd century pottery indicates a Roman presence nearby. b) Remains of structures and rubbish pits indicate the presence of medieval buildings. c) Tanning pits and kiln furnace debris dating the post medieval period. c) Remains of eighteenth and nineteenth century houses.