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____________________________________________________________________________________________ Milton Colosseum, Cowcaddens Cross,
Glasgow
Above - Photograph of the Auditorium of the Grand Theatre, Cowcaddens Cross, Glasgow, built on the site of the former Milton Colosseum and Prince of Wales Theatre - Courtesy Graeme Smith.
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In the 1860s the Hall within the Milton Arcade at Cowcaddens Cross was operated by James Baylis as the MILTON COLOSSEUM CONCERT HALL. In its advertising he offered "popular prices, good companies, and temperance refreshments." Under his own ownership he built the new SCOTIA HALL, Stockwell Street and the new Theatre Royal complex at the head of Hope Street which he first named the ROYAL COLOSSEUM & OPERA HOUSE. When his lease of the Milton Colosseum expired his landlord Mr Hannay took over, and built on its site the PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE designed by the architect William Spence in 1869. It held 3000 people and staged variety, pantomime and melodrama. To see a programme for the Prince of Wales Theatre Click here... In 1881 it was rebuilt as the GRAND THEATRE accommodating 2000 people and presented seasons of opera, plays and pantomime. The Carl Rosa Opera Company became frequent visitors. To see a programme for the Grand Theatre Click here... During World War I it changed to cine-variety and was rebuilt in 1919 after a fire. Renamed the New Grand Picture House it was renovated in the moderne style in 1926, finally closing in 1959. The above text was written by Graeme Smith and kindly sent in for inclusion on the site in 2008, and is from his forthcoming book 'THE THEATRE ROYAL: Entertaining a Nation' www.glasgowtheatreroyal.co.uk |
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