Venue History Tour

Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour and discover the rich history of the Grand Opera House York. Explore the beautiful auditorium, venture behind the scenes into our backstage areas, browse captivating archive material, and stand on the very stage that has welcomed legendary performers including Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Morecambe & Wise, and Jodie Comer. Uncover the stories behind one of York’s most iconic buildings and experience its remarkable heritage first-hand. The theatre has a fascinatingly glorious history as dramatic as the performances it has hosted. This tour promises a glimpse into the magic of theatre. Each ticket includes a hot or soft drink, to enjoy at the conclusion of the tour. Routes may change and do, unavoidably, involve a number of stairs. If you have access requirements, please do get in touch before booking so we can best support you with this experience. Not originally intended to be a theatre, the buildings that comprise the Grand Opera House York officially opened in 1902 with Little Red Riding Hood starring Florrie Ford. Since then it has been owned by FJ Butterworth, the Shepherd of Shambles and the India Pru Co. Ltd who spent £4,000,000 restoring the theatre to its former glory in 1987.