Theatre Royal tickets

These fire- and water-damaged cinema tickets are a reminder of one Exeter’s worst disasters. They were found among the debris of the Theatre Royal building following a devastating fire on 5th September 1887. The gallery, where this ticket holder was seated, was the part of the theatre which saw the biggest loss of life.

The Great Theatre Royal Fire prompted the Government to improve safety precautions at British theatres, including the fireproof safety curtain still used in theatres today.