 | |
| Long title | An Act for regulating Theatres. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 6 & 7 Vict. c. 68 |
| Territorial extent | Great Britain |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 22 August 1843 |
| Repealed | 26 September 1968 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Plays and Wine Licences Act 1736 |
| Repeals/revokes | |
| Repealed by | Theatres Act 1968 |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Theatres Act 1843 (6 & 7 Vict. c. 68) (also known as the Theatre Regulation Act) is a defunct Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. It amended the regime established under the Licensing Act 1737 for the licensing of the theatre in Great Britain, implementing the proposals made by a select committee of the House of Commons in 1832.
The Theatres Act 1843 restricted the powers of the Lord Chamberlain, so that he could only prohibit the performance of plays where he was of the opinion that "it is fitting for the preservation of good manners, decorum or of the public peace so to do". It also gave additional powers to local authorities to license theatres, breaking the monopoly of the patent theatres and encouraging the development of popular theatrical entertainments, such as saloon theatres attached to public houses and music halls.
- ^ The citation of this Act by this short title was authorised by the Short Titles Act 1896, section 1 and the first schedule. Due to the repeal of those provisions it is now authorised by section 19(2) of the Interpretation Act 1978.
- ^ "Short Titles Act, 1896, Schedule 1". Irish Statute Book. Retrieved 20 November 2017.