Royal Theatre

Benton, United States

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

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The Royal Theatre at 111 S. Market Street in Benton, Arkansas began as the "Imp" theatre in 1920, then underwent an extensive Moderne-style renovation in 1948–49 designed by Little Rock architects Frank Ginocchio and Edwin B. Cromwell. The architects repurposed the distinctive sign and marquee from a Royal Theatre they had designed in Little Rock for this Benton renovation. The theatre gained renewed prominence in 1996 when actor Jerry Van Dyke purchased and renovated the building as part of a broader revitalization of the surrounding block, adding complementary commercial spaces including a soda shoppe, candy store, and antique shop. Van Dyke transferred ownership between 2000 and 2001, ultimately donating the theatre to the Central Arkansas Community Players, who renamed it the Royal Players and continue operating it as a performance venue. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.