| A little bit of history | | | | Not everyone was pleased with the exterior |
| Located on Victoria Street, beside the Europa | | | | apperance of the Opera House, some felt that it |
| Hotel, in Belfast city centre, the Grand Opera | | | | took away from the original design, but the |
| House has had a long and illustrious history. | | | | improved patron facilties have been warmly |
| Designed by renowned architect Frank Matcham, | | | | welcomed. The Grand Opera House re-opened |
| it was originally opened in December 1895. The | | | | with a Gala Event in October 2006. |
| venue was renamed the Palace of Varieities in | | | | Location, how to get here and facilities |
| 1904, but its name was reverted to the original in | | | | The Grand Opera House is located beside the |
| 1909. | | | | Europa Hotel and the city's main bus and train |
| In the years after World War I, the Grand Opera | | | | station, Europa Station, on Great Victoria Street. |
| House played host to a number of popular variety | | | | From here it's only about a 2 minute walk to the |
| acts such as Sarah Bernhardt, Gracie Fields, | | | | Grand Opera House. |
| Laurence Olivier and the National Theatre | | | | If you're driving there's easy access from both |
| Company. During the Second World War, the | | | | the M1 and M2 motorways. From the M1 exit at |
| Opera House amazingly escaped major bombing, | | | | the Boucher Road Junction. Continue along |
| and as one of the celebrations at the end of the | | | | Donegall Road, and then take either Sandy Row |
| war in 1945, the US President Eisenhower and | | | | or Shaftesbury Square. From the M2, go onto the |
| General Montgomery of the British War Council | | | | Westlink and take the Divis Street exit. Take a |
| both attended gala performances here. | | | | right at the traffic lights onto College Avenue, and |
| In 1949 the Opera House was sold to the Rank | | | | continue straight ahead onto Great Victoria Street. |
| Organisation, a British Entertainment organisation, | | | | Just behind the Europa Hotel, is a multi-storey car |
| and it was reopened as a cinema. This led to | | | | park. There's also some limited street parking |
| many lean years for the theatre, due to the | | | | available on Glengall Street, close to the venue. |
| popularity of TV and of course due to "The | | | | Luciano's Restaurant, Café and Bar, cater |
| Troubles". | | | | for guests and party groups to the theatre. You |
| In 1969, the Grand Opera House was damaged | | | | can arrange for pre-event group meals and |
| through paramilitary bombing campaigns, due to | | | | snacks through prior contact with the Opera |
| its proximity to the Europa Hotel. In fact in 1972 it | | | | House. |
| was facing a bleak future of closure and | | | | Bars are located on most levels of the Grand |
| demolition. However, it was given a 'listed building' | | | | Opera House. However it is recommended that |
| status in 1976 and became one of the first | | | | drinks are pre-ordered before show interval |
| properties in Belfast to be listed as being of | | | | breaks. Post show drinks can be enjoyed in |
| historical and architectural significance. Control of | | | | Luciano's. |
| the Opera House was entrusted to the Arts | | | | There are no ATM Machines at the venue, though |
| Council of Northern Ireland in 1976 and it was | | | | all major credit and debit cards are accepted at |
| secured a bright future. | | | | the premises. There is an ATM machine at the |
| A significant restoration project was carried out | | | | Europa Station. Confectionery and merchandise |
| on the venue in 1980, and it's worth noting that | | | | can be purchased at a confectionery stand |
| this project was probably the catalyst to the | | | | located in the Theatre Foyer. Show merchandise |
| redevelopment of Belfast city centre. Since then | | | | can be purchased at locations throughout the |
| it has played host to many of the ballet and | | | | building during shows. |
| singing stars of the time. In 1991 and again in | | | | There are excellent facilities for disabled people, |
| 1993, the Opera House was unfortunately | | | | and for those who are visually impaired. |
| bombed, but nevertheless it continued as normal | | | | Major events at the Grand Opera House... |
| and played host to musicals, plays, pantomimes | | | | Some major international artists, musicals, plays |
| and live music. | | | | and pantomimes have been held at the venue. |
| 1994 saw the administration of the Grand Opera | | | | Music legends such as Van Morrison, Christy |
| House handed to the Grand Opera House Trust. | | | | Moore, Oscar Winner from the Film "Once" Glen |
| 2006 saw major re-development and | | | | Hansard and Martha Wainwright have in the past |
| refurbishments initiated. Improvements to the | | | | performed here, and will perform here later in |
| theatre included increased stage space, | | | | 2008 as well. Popular musicals such as Jungle |
| accommodation for performing acts, better | | | | Book, West Side Story and High School Musical |
| customer facilties and acess for disabled guests. | | | | are to be performed here later this year. Plays |
| The Baby Grand was the name of a smaller | | | | such as Juno and the Paycock, and Christmas |
| events centre created under the redevelopment | | | | Events such as "Cinderella on Ice" will take place |
| project, and Luciano's café bar and | | | | also later this year. |
| restaurant. | | | | |