Gaiety Theatre

Shimla’s Gaiety Theatre was once part of the large town hall complex. Designed by the renowned English architect Henry Irwin, it was constructed in the Gothic style and opened its doors in 1887 to accommodate more than 300 people. The room has superb acoustics, and though it has undergone some minor renovations, the screen used is still the same as the one designed by its architect. With a rich history to its credit, the theatre was the centre for entertainment and socialisation, where Viceroy Lord Lytton wrote and staged a play called ‘Walpole’, and Rudyard Kipling acted in ‘a scrap of paper’. Even today, several drama societies actively use the space, which has also hosted renowned Indian actors and singers. The only Gothic theatre in Asia, and amongst just six in the world, it’s definitely worth a visit.