Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

The Royal Exchange Theatre occupies a former commodities trading hall built in the nineteenth century, when the city was a major centre for the global cotton industry. The original structure is large and open, supported by cast-iron columns and covered by a high glass dome that once allowed natural light onto the bustling trading floor. Its scale reflects the economic forces that shaped the city’s development, and much of the historic architecture remains visible today.

In the late twentieth century, the building was adapted for theatrical use through the installation of a modern, self-contained performance module. This seven-sided structure sits within the old hall like a freestanding chamber, supported on legs so that the historic interior remains largely untouched. Its circular auditorium brings the audience close to the stage, creating an intimate setting that contrasts with the vast volume of the surrounding hall. The contrast between the glass-and-metal module and the older ironwork highlights the meeting of industrial heritage and contemporary design.

Public areas around the theatre retain the character of the former exchange. The high ceilings, long sightlines, and surviving decorative details show how traders once moved through the space in large numbers. Today these areas serve as foyers, exhibition spaces, and gathering points before performances, illustrating how the building’s function has shifted while its structure endures.The theatre’s programme spans classical plays, contemporary writing, and more experimental work, showing how it supports both established forms and new approaches.