The theatre has a capacity of 432 patrons over 3 tiers within the auditorium which is a traditional horse shoe shape. The stage is the smallest in Ireland and is framed with a Proscenium arch. A special Waterford Crystal chandelier, donated by the company in 1951 decorates the ceiling. In 2007 the theatre closed for extensive renovations and reopened to great acclaim in 2009.
The vestibule is a beautifully renovated Georgian room decorated with 3 Waterford Crystal chandeliers and houses the Waterford Municipal Art collection. The theatre now hosts civil ceremonies in the vestibule and the whole building is available for conferences.
The Theatre Royal aims to become the powerhouse for theatre arts in the south east and has been the traditional venue for local and national entertainment down the generations. It is has hosted the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera since its inception in 1958 and is the home stage for long established amateur societies.
The Theatre Royal is increasingly staging its own work and seeking to tour its own productions within the region with the assistance of Waterford City Council and The Arts Council. Theatre Royal Productions led by Director Ben Barnes brings acclaimed artists and creative teams from Ireland and overseas to work closely with local Waterford talent. The aim is to cultivate indigenous artistic expertise and knowledge whilst also producing world class theatre for the city and the region. Recent work included King Lear Review (2010) and Hamlet Review (2011 & 2012) and productions of Jim Nolan’s Sky Road (2007) Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane (2010), Eugene O’Brien’s Eden (2011) and Shelagh Stephenson’s The Memory of Water (March 2012).
Theatre Royal is right in the heart of Waterford historic Viking Triangle, the building is directly across from Waterford Crystal and is situated alongside Bishops Palace and the Waterford Museum of Treasures on the mall.
- Songwriters In The Round
Songwriters In The Round Backstage at The Royal presents Songwriters In The Round featuring Megan O'Neill, Gráinne Hunt and Emma Longford on Saturday 12 July 2025.
- The Highwaymen Reincarnated
The Highwaymen Reincarnated Experience the electrifying tribute to country music legends Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, & Kris Kristofferson in The Highwaymen Reincarnated.
- Tom O'Mahony - O'My Honey
Tom O'Mahony - O'My Honey Comedian Tom O'Mahony presents O'My Honey, where Tom tries to make sense of the very weird place we find ourselves today. With support from Gerry McBride.
- National Youth Orchestra of Ireland
Family funNational Youth Orchestra of Ireland National Youth Orchestra of Ireland with Chamber Music Concert Series, at Theatre Royal Waterford on Sunday 20 July 2025.
- Nathan Carter
Nathan Carter Nathan Carter is a talented Irish singer, songwriter, and performer known for his captivating blend of country, folk, and pop music.
- Mother of All the Behans
Arts and cultureMother of All the Behans Join Imelda May for an evening of songs & stories celebrating the life of Brendan’s Mammy, based on the book by Brian Behan.
- Glue by Niamh Fennessy
Arts and cultureGlue by Niamh Fennessy Glue, written and performed by Niamh Fennessy, is a vignette of the life of a girl caught in the typical throes of young adulthood.
- Samhradh starring Glen Murphy
Samhradh starring Glen Murphy Enjoy Samhradh starring Glenn Murphy with Musical Director David Hayes at Theatre Royal, Waterford this August.