York Guides

The Theatre Royal was built by Joseph Baker on the remains of St. Peter's Hospital. It became famous under the management of Tate Wilkinson, who was patentee of the theatres at York and Hull, and manager of those at Leeds, Bradford, Doncaster, Wakefield, and Pontefract. These theatres comprised the York circuit.

Tate Wilkinson was a painstaking manager, and was in the habit, when a new piece was being introduced, of viewing it from the gallery. On one occasion, noticing some slovenly acting, he began to hiss vigorously. The "gods", not being so hyper­critical, and not recognizing him, cried, "Turn him out", and turned out he was from his own theatre.

During the Assizes, Races, and the winter, York was the favourite resort of the nobility and gentry of the north; concerts, dances, and card parties at the Assembly Rooms, and plays at the Theatre being the fashionable amusements. John Coleman, a later lessee, is said to have prepared his own playbills, which were couched in grandiose language. In this connection, a story is told to the effect that one morning at rehearsal, he exclaimed to the property man: "Have you all ready for to-night?" "Yes, all except the pedestal." "The what?" thundered Cole­man. "The pedestal," was repeated, "What is that for?" roared the lessee. The property man took down the playbill and pointed out the words: "On this occasion Mr. Coleman will descend from his pedestal and enact the part of Bob Hawkins."