Exeter and Plymouth Gazette – Tuesday 06 September 1887
DESTRUCTION OF THE EXETER THEATRE
ENORMOUS LOSS OF LIFE
THE DEAD LAID OUT IN ROWS
AGONISING SCENES
Last night, Exeter’s new Theatre Royal was destroyed by fire. Like its immediate predecessor, it succumbed to flames, but the circumstances of this destruction were far more tragic than the previous fire at the old house in 1885.
A large audience had assembled for the first production of Romany Rye in the city. The extremities of the house, particularly the pit and the gallery, were crowded to their fullest capacity. The stalls were also well occupied, though the dress circle had fewer patrons.
At 7:45 p.m., the first act of Mr. Sims’ romantic drama commenced. The audience was highly engaged, and as the third act concluded, the performance appeared to be a great success. At 9 o’clock, as was customary, there was a fresh influx of theatregoers known as “half-timers” into the pit, further cramming the area.
The fourth act began successfully, with Mardon’s Office and The Deck of the Saratoga being staged without any significant hitches. At 10 o’clock, no danger was suspected.
About ten minutes past ten, the marine scene transitioned to a depiction of Ratcliffe Highway. This was not a drop scene but a set piece formed from panels pushed from the sides. A slight hitch occurred in this transition, though it is believed to have had no connection with the tragic events that followed.
Matters were momentarily worsened by the pushing forward of a side curtain. The audience of the Highway was depicted inside, and the rough villains of Philip Regnier were performing a dancing scene. One of them withdrew, and Mr. Powell, portraying the character Strayzer, remained onstage, deep in thought.
At that moment, the curtain dropped suddenly. A slight murmur arose among the stage staff, who had not yet sensed the impending disaster. It was expected that in a few moments, the curtain would rise again. The conductor remarked, “There’s something wrong,” and was about to fill the unexpected interval with a selection of music.
At that moment, the curtain slightly wavered. As it had not yet fully descended, those in the first row of the stalls caught a glimpse of the floor of the stage. Our representative, Mr. G. Hannaford, was among them, and he immediately noticed that something was amiss. He turned to his companion, a fellow journalist, and said, “It looks like a fire.”
Mr. Abbotts, the steward of the Devon and Exeter Club, was seated nearby with some ladies. He, too, observed that something had occurred behind the curtain.
Then, almost immediately, there was another shift in the curtain, followed by the terrible cry of “Fire!” from within the auditorium. Panic ensued, and a desperate rush for the exits began.
Gentlemen in the stalls—among them Colonel Fremantle and his daughters—attempted to keep order, urging those around them to remain calm. The curtain still concealed the stage, but flames were already visible.
Those in the pit made frantic efforts to escape, but the passageways quickly filled with smoke. Before long, flames engulfed the upper sections of the theatre. Many tried to reach the New North Road by the ordinary stairways, but the narrow exits became death traps.
The fire rapidly spread over the roof and the theatre’s main balcony. Flames leapt a hundred feet into the night sky, illuminating the city.
Those who managed to exit spoke of harrowing scenes—people trapped in the corridors, smoke blinding their escape, and cries for help. The exits proved woefully inadequate for the size of the audience.
The dead were laid out in rows outside the theatre, awaiting identification. Initial estimates suggest that upwards of 99 lives were lost in the inferno.
Historical Analysis & Context
The 1887 fire at Exeter’s Theatre Royal stands as one of the most tragic events in British theatre history, resulting in the loss of 186 lives.
The Theatre and the Fateful Night
The Theatre Royal, located in Exeter, was a significant cultural venue. On the evening of 5 September 1887, it hosted the opening night of the melodrama The Romany Rye, performed by Gilbert Elliott’s company. Approximately 800 patrons attended, with around 300 seated in the gallery.
Outbreak of the Fire
At approximately 10:20 p.m., during the fourth act, a scene-shifter noticed that a gauze curtain had caught alight from a gas jet used for stage lighting. In an attempt to contain the fire, he lowered the “drop-scene,” a painted curtain, to separate the stage from the audience. Initially, the audience was unaware of the severity of the situation, mistaking the interruption for a technical glitch.
Rapid Spread and Evacuation Challenges
The fire spread rapidly, fueled by the flammable stage scenery. The opening of stage doors allowed a draft to fan the flames, causing the drop-scene to ignite. Panic ensued as the auditorium filled with smoke. The gallery, which had only a single exit, became a bottleneck, leading to a deadly crush as patrons attempted to escape.
Casualties and Immediate Aftermath
By the following morning, over 130 bodies were laid out at the New London Inn. Local businesses, such as Colson & Co., contributed materials like calico to wrap the deceased. In total, 186 people perished, making it the deadliest theatre disaster and single-building fire in UK history. Among the victims were at least fourteen children aged 16 or under, including a 9-month-old infant. The tragedy left 98 children without at least one parent, and 39 were orphaned, with more than half being under six years old.
Investigations and Inquests
A coroner’s inquest returned a verdict of accidental death but severely criticised the licensing magistrates and the theatre’s architect, C.J. Phipps. The magistrates had issued a licence despite unmet safety requirements, such as the installation of a safety curtain and adequate exits from the gallery. Phipps was criticised for design flaws, including low ceilings and insufficient escape routes.
Legacy and Safety Reforms
The disaster prompted immediate reassessments of theatre safety across the UK. His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen, for instance, faced stringent inspections and was denied a licence until major structural changes were made. Although a 1885 bill aimed at regulating theatre safety had not passed, the Exeter fire spurred insurance companies to enforce detailed inspections and impose higher premiums on non-compliant theatres. These measures led to significant improvements in theatre safety standards.
The 1887 Exeter Theatre Royal fire remains a somber reminder of the importance of stringent safety regulations in public venues.
Victorian Theatre Safety & Fire Regulations (1887)
The destruction of Exeter’s Theatre Royal in 1887 highlights the deficiencies in Victorian-era theatre safety. Theatres were prone to fire due to the use of gas lighting, wooden structures, and flammable stage materials.
At the time, Britain’s theatre regulations were weak. Although the Theatres Regulation Act of 1843 had introduced some oversight, it was primarily focused on licensing rather than safety. It was not until after major tragedies like this one that the Public Health Act 1890 and the London Building Act 1894 began enforcing fireproof construction, mandatory emergency exits, and safety curtains in theatres.
Implications:
- Many Victorian theatres lacked clear escape routes.
- Exits were often bottlenecked, causing deadly crushes.
- There was little enforcement of fire-resistant materials in set design.
The Exeter Theatre fire contributed to discussions on strengthening safety regulations, though real change was slow to come.
People, Occupations, and Businesses Affected
Theatre fires impacted not just audiences but also:
- Actors & Stagehands – They often faced the greatest risk, working close to open flames, gaslights, and flammable scenery.
- Journalists – Reporters like Mr. Hannaford covered these tragedies, influencing public sentiment and political action.
- Emergency Responders – Fire brigades in the 1880s were less equipped to handle rapid theatre fires, relying mainly on manually operated water pumps.
- Local Businesses – Nearby establishments often suffered economic losses after such disasters, either from structural damage or declining public confidence in attending events.
Life in Exeter in 1887
- Exeter was a growing city – Theatres were central to entertainment, with large audiences attending dramatic performances, operettas, and pantomimes.
- The class divide was stark – The wealthy enjoyed the dress circle, while the working class packed into the cheaper pit and gallery sections, which proved deadliest in such disasters.
- Fire safety was an afterthought – With no electricity, gas lamps illuminated theatres, making fire hazards inevitable.
What Can Historians & Family Historians Learn?
- Public tragedies shape safety laws – Fires like this prompted future regulations.
- Social class and disaster vulnerability – The poor in crowded areas suffered the most.
- Theatre culture in Victorian Britain – Theatre was a major form of public entertainment, and its dangers were often overlooked.
- Potential family history connections – Those researching Exeter ancestors may find records of victims, survivors, or responders to this fire.
The Bigger Pictue
The tragic fire at Exeter’s Theatre Royal on 5 September 1887 remains the deadliest theatre disaster in British history, claiming approximately 186 lives.
Casualty List:
While a complete list of victims is challenging due to the extent of the disaster, several individuals have been identified:
- Machean: A boy from Victoria Terrace, Victoria Road.
- Chappall: An elderly man of Rack Street.
- Lizzie Coombes: Resident of St. Sidwells.
- Bessie and Emily Marks: Sisters from Kings Arms, West Street.
- Thomas and Kate Coombes: A married couple from Weir Place.
- William Partridge: Of Paris Street.
- William Parsons: From Coffin’s Court.
- John Branstone (or Vanstone): Resident of Heavitree.
- George Wood: Steward at the Country Club, formerly a porter at the hospital.
A more comprehensive list, compiled from various sources, includes:
- Mark Lockyer: An ostler at the Golden Ball, Mary Arches Street, residing in Rack Street.
- Mary Lockyer: Also of Rack Street.
- John Luscombe: Of Coombe Street; listed as missing and known to have been at the theatre.
- Edward Lyons: A 35-year-old labourer from Ewings Lane.
- James A. McBean: A 16-year-old clerk with Mr. Sharpe, a timber merchant; resided in Victoria Road, St. James; died in hospital on 6 September; identified by his mother.
- Joseph Milman: A 28-year-old fish hawker from 50 Coombe Street; married with two children; listed as missing and known to have been at the theatre; his widow received £7 1s insurance.
- Sarah Grace Minton: From Shaldon; listed as missing and known to have been at the theatre.
- Anne Moore: Of Clarence Street; listed as missing and known to have been at the theatre; mother of Maria Moore.
- Maria Moore: A 12-year-old from 16 Clarence Street; listed as missing and known to have been at the theatre.
Survivor Accounts:
Detailed personal accounts from survivors are limited. However, reports indicate that those in the stalls managed to escape with relative ease, while individuals in the gallery faced dire circumstances due to inadequate exits. Panic ensued, leading some to seek refuge on roofs and balconies, confronting the harrowing choice between facing the flames or leaping to the cobbled streets below.
Memorials and Records:
A memorial stands in Higher Cemetery, Heavitree, commemorating those who perished in the fire. Additionally, the Exeter Theatre Disaster Fund was established to support the victims’ families, with records maintained in the Devon Archives.
For family historians, these records, along with burial registers and newspaper archives from the period, can provide invaluable insights into ancestors who may have been affected by this tragedy.
If you have specific individuals you’d like information on or need assistance accessing these records, please let me know using the online form here.
The Exeter & Plymouth Gazette – A Historical Overview
The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette was a prominent newspaper in Devon, England, with a rich history reflecting the evolution of regional journalism.
Establishment and Early Years
Founded in 1827, the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette began as a weekly publication, serving the communities of Exeter, Plymouth, and the surrounding areas. Priced at two pence, it quickly established itself as a reputable source of news, covering local events, politics, and societal issues.
Transition to Daily Publication
In 1863, responding to the increasing demand for timely news, the newspaper introduced a daily edition known as the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegrams. Initially a single-sheet publication costing half a penny, it expanded over time to include more pages, reflecting its growing readership.
Editorial Leadership
Throughout its history, the Gazette was under the stewardship of various proprietors and editors who influenced its direction and content. Notably, Charles Wescomb, William Brodie, and George T. Donisthorpe were among its early proprietors. Later, George Frederick Gratwicke served as the managing editor and played a significant role in its development.
Content and Contributions
The Gazette was known for serializing novels and short stories, contributing to the literary culture of the time. Authors such as Sabine Baring-Gould, Jean Middlemass, and William Clark Russell had their works featured in its pages, offering readers a blend of news and entertainment.
Legacy and Impact
The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette played a crucial role in documenting the social, political, and cultural life of Devon throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its archives provide valuable insights into the region’s history, serving as a resource for historians and researchers. The newspaper’s evolution from a weekly to a daily publication mirrors the broader trends in media consumption and the growing importance of timely news delivery during that era.
Today, the legacy of the Gazette is preserved through digital archives, allowing contemporary audiences to explore its rich history and the stories it told.
In Brief
🔥 Historic Tragedy: The 1887 Exeter Theatre Fire 🔥
On 6 Sept 1887, Exeter’s Theatre Royal was destroyed in a deadly fire. 99+ lives lost. A tragedy that shaped fire safety laws. #Exeter #History #VictorianTheatre #FireSafety
