WORCESTER Theatre Royal emerged from a major refurbishment at this time a century ago.

The Journal of 1903 explained: "Our Theatre, following extensive reconstruction which makes it one of the most convenient and comfortable places of entertainment in the country, was reopened on Monday.

"A matinee performance of Gay Parisienne was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, the Earl of Coventry with the Countess of Coventry and other members of the Croome Household, and his Lordship declared the house again open.

"The theatre directors, under the vigorous chairmanship of Mr Kilbourne Kay, have admirably fulfilled their responsibility. Mr Arthur Carlton, the new lessee, will now make continuous arrangements worthy of the directors' completed undertaking, and the theatre will deserve both city and county patronage."

The same Journal edition also carried a lengthy feature article on the renovation under the heading "Worcester Theatre Modernised - Elegant Within and Without."

"From a dingy out-of-date building, it has been converted into one of elegance. For actors and audiences alike, conditions of convenience and even luxury have been substituted for those which used to exist, mostly of discomfort. The theatre has taken a new and vigorous lease of life.

"The exterior of the theatre has a vastly improved elevation, and a handsome new iron and glass portico gives grateful shelter to arriving and departing patrons. The main entrance is very inviting, and from the vestibule there is now a broad marble stairway up to the swing doors on each side of the balcony corridor.

"The dress circle and upper circle have been laid with a rich carpet while the pit and orchestra stalls and the approaches to them have been laid with wood blocks, ensuring warmth and an absence of noise.

"For the gallery and 'gods,' rubber treads have been added to the steps to stop the deafening din which was created nightly for years by the up and down stampede.

"The re-arranged theatre will not accommodate more spectators, but it will give far more comfort to everyone to enhance each entertainment. Artistic decorations now meet the eye instead of a dismal daub of a lot of dusty draperies. The seats of the orchestra stalls and the dress circle have been stripped and re-upholstered in blue velvet while the upper circle, previously a much-neglected part of the house, has been entirely re-seated with tip-up seats upholstered in moquette.

"Two theatre lounges have been created, and there are long-awaited cloakrooms for ladies and gentlemen. An entirely new and much larger stage as been erected, and new and improved dressing-rooms will greet actors and performers.

The theatre is lighted throughout with electricity by Mr Santonna of Worcester."