It was the first permanent theatre in Lublin and one of the first ones in Poland, erected in 1822 according to the design of Łukasz Rodakiewicz - the owner of the theatre. The building was given modest classicist ornamental details: arches, masks and handles. The auditorium could sit 334 people in total. The Old Theatre operated until 1887, i.e. till the elegant City Theatre (Teatr Miejski) was opened at today's ul. Narutowicza. At the dawn of the 20th century, the building was converted into a cinema called 'Theatre Optique Parisien', subsequently 'Rialto', 'Wiedza', 'Panteon' and 'Adria'. After the Second World War until the 80's, it functioned as the 'Staromiejskie' cinema. Films were shown here until the 80's, since then the building gradually fell into decay.