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Palace of Varieties (1904–1909) | |
 Front facade | |
 | |
| Address | 2-4 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7HR Northern Ireland[1] |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°35′42″N 5°56′06″W / 54.595°N 5.935°W |
| Owner | Grand Opera House Trust |
| Type | Visiting Production |
| Capacity | 1058 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 23 December 1895 1980 (re-opening) |
| Closed | 1972 (first closure) 2006 (for extension) 2020 (for restoration) |
| Rebuilt | Restored 2020 |
| Years active | 1895–1972, 1980–present |
| Architect | Frank Matcham |
| Website | |
| www.goh.co.uk | |
The Grand Opera House is a theatre in Belfast, Northern Ireland, designed by the most prolific theatre architect of the period, Frank Matcham. It opened on 23 December 1895. According to the Theatres Trust, the "magnificent auditorium is probably the best surviving example in the United Kingdom of the oriental style applied to theatre architecture". The auditorium was restored to its former glory, and the foyer spaces and bars were reimagined and developed as part of a £12.2 million project in 2020/2021, generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. [1]
The venue hosts musicals, drama, ballet, opera and comedy performances as well as educational events and tours. The theatre's annual pantomime, which has been performed since its opening in 1895, remains the most popular show each year. The theatre's capacity is 1,058.