Frank Matcham is universally recognised as Britain's most prolific and successful theatre architect. Born in Torquay, the son of a brewery manager, Matcham was educated at Babbacombe School. In 1868 he became apprenticed to one Mr George Sondon Bridgeman, a local surveyor and architect.
In the mid 1870's, Frank Matcham moved to London where he joined the architectural practice of Jethro T. Robertson, who was at the time consulting architect to the Lord Chamberlain. In 1877, Matcham married Mr Robertson's daughter and the following year took over the practice after the sudden death of Robertson. His first major theatre project was to complete the Elephant and Castle Theatre in London, which had been started by Robertson. Matcham never qualified as an architect, yet became the undisputed master of his craft.
Matcham's expertise in theatre design was soon recognised nationally and he went from strength to strength designing over 80 theatres. He was also involved in the re-design of countless others including the Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen. The design of each theatre was elegant, imposing and unique. Matcham was renowned for the ability to produce beautiful theatres on awkward sites and as a result became the architect of choice for any prestige theatrical project.
The majority of the Matcham designed theatres in the country have been demolished or vandalised beyond repair. Aberdeen is unique in having two Matcham theatres, His Majesty's Theatre (1906) and the earlier Tivoli Theatre (1872).
