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Quiz about Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre

Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre Quiz

Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre could arguably be called "Britain's other national theatre". This quiz is on this remarkable and exciting venue.

A multiple-choice quiz by sancho_pft. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
sancho_pft

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
244,350

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
298

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In what Victorian building is the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre situated? Hint

The Royal Exchange

The Bourse

The Corn Exchange

The Old Town Hall

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which "ad hoc" theatre company laid foundation to the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre Company? Hint

The Bicycle Theatre Company

The 59 Theatre Company

The Crucible Theatre Company

The Manchester Theatre Company

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Question 3 of 10

3. Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre is a true "theatre in the round". How many sides enclose the main performance space? Hint

Seven

Eight

Six

Five

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the theatre module within the Great Hall most frequently described as? Hint

The Cube

The Hat Box

The Lunar Module

The Tardis

5. The Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre is said to have not one, but two resident ghosts. One is a Victorian lady "with a fondness for drink", but the other has a more direct connection with the theatre. Who is it? Hint

James Maxwell, one of the founding directors

John Rylands, Manchester philanthropist

Pat Phoenix, former "Coronation Street" actress

Richard Negri, the architect of the theatre

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Question 6 of 10

6. A major event in the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre's history occurred on 15th June 1996. What happened? Hint

An anonymous benefactor left the theatre �4 million in his will

The huge glass dome over the theatre collapsed

The theatre company was evicted due to non-payment of rent

The theatre was severely damaged by a terrorist bomb

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre has always attracted the cream of British acting talent. Which of the following actors has NOT appeared at the Royal Exchange? Hint

Kate Winslet

John Thaw

Hugh Grant

Rex Harrison

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which actor, more famous for an evil role in a series of blockbuster movies, was artistic director at the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre in the late 1980s? Hint

Ian McDiarmid

Peter Cushing

Christopher Lee

Glenn Close

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which knighted actor frequently appears at the Manchester Royal Exchange, and is the 'public face' of their development appeal? Hint

Sir Ian Holm

Sir Ian McKellen

Sir Tom Courtenay

Sir Derek Jacobi

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Question 10 of 10

10. When the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre re-opened after its enforced two-year closure, which member of the royal family agreed to become its patron? Hint

Princess Anne, Princess Royal

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex

Prince Andrew, Duke of York

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what Victorian building is the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre situated?

Answer: The Royal Exchange

The theatre is on the old trading floor of the Royal Exchange, once described as "the biggest room in the world". The share prices, as at close of business on the final day of trading, are still displayed.

2. Which "ad hoc" theatre company laid foundation to the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre Company?

Answer: The 59 Theatre Company

The 59 Theatre Company (later to transmogrify into the 69 Theatre Company) enjoyed great success in London, Manchester and 'on the road', before securing a permanent home.

3. Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre is a true "theatre in the round". How many sides enclose the main performance space?

Answer: Seven

The seven-sided theatre has 400 seats at stage level, with two upper levels, each slightly off-set to the stage level, each seating 150. This makes it the largest "theatre in the round" in the UK, and what is more remarkable is that no seat is more than seven metres away from the stage.

4. What is the theatre module within the Great Hall most frequently described as?

Answer: The Lunar Module

The steel and glass module, suspended from the huge marble pillars of the hall, bears a startling resemblance to the Apollo moon missions lunar landing module.

Answer: James Maxwell, one of the founding directors

James Maxwell, Richard Negri, Michael Elliot, Caspar Wrede and Braham Murray were the founding directors of the Royal Exchange Theatre Company. Maxwell died in 1995, and is said to watch over the ongoing productions.

6. A major event in the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre's history occurred on 15th June 1996. What happened?

Answer: The theatre was severely damaged by a terrorist bomb

On Saturday, 15th June 1996, the IRA detonated the largest bomb to explode on mainland Britain since World War II, a mere 50 yards away from the theatre. The theatre suffered major damage - the performance module lifted over six feet into the air before dropping back into place. The main theatre was closed for over two years for repair.

7. The Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre has always attracted the cream of British acting talent. Which of the following actors has NOT appeared at the Royal Exchange?

Answer: Rex Harrison

Rex Harrison was booked to appear, but was taken ill during rehearsal; he never appeared and died before being able to return. The list of those who have appeared, and continue to appear at the Royal Exchange is impressive - even Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear from 'Starsky and Hutch') played there in 2006.

8. Which actor, more famous for an evil role in a series of blockbuster movies, was artistic director at the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre in the late 1980s?

Answer: Ian McDiarmid

Ian McDiarmid, who played the Emperor in the "Star Wars" films, was appointed associate artistic director of the theatre in 1988. He directed and appeared in some memorable presentations in the late 1980s.

9. Which knighted actor frequently appears at the Manchester Royal Exchange, and is the 'public face' of their development appeal?

Answer: Sir Tom Courtenay

Tom Courtenay describes the Royal Exchange as his favourite theatre, calling it "remarkable and challenging".

10. When the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre re-opened after its enforced two-year closure, which member of the royal family agreed to become its patron?

Answer: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex

Prince Edward has long been interested in the theatre, and when the Royal Exchange re-opened after its �32 million refurbishment following the devastation by the 1996 IRA bomb, he willingly accepted the invitation to become patron. He attends several of the productions each year.

Source: Author sancho_pft

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Beatka before going online.
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