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Olympia Theatre of Varieties, Bridgeton Cross, Glasgow

Glasgow Index

Above - The Olympia Theatre of Varieties, Glasgow - Courtesy Graeme Smith

Situated on the corner of Orr Street at Bridgeton Cross the Olympia Theatre of Varieties opened on 1911 in an impressive red sandstoned building designed by architect John Arthur, with its auditorium designed by Frank Matcham in French Renaissance style. There were two tiers of gallery and marble balustrades and the lush plasterwork which Matcham employed. It had a sliding roof to let air in and smoke out.

After the Great War it changed to cine-variety and to a full cinema from 1924.

A modern auditorium was installed by ABC in 1934, and in latter years it became a bingo hall.

A programme of the Olympia Theatre can be seen on the excellent Glasgow Story Website here.

The above text was written and kindly sent in for inclusion on the site by Graeme Smith, whose new book 'THE THEATRE ROYAL: Entertaining a Nation', is detailed here.

The Theatre's future is uncertain and recently there has been some interest in restoring the building. The Theatres Trust are currently carrying the following information on a proposed restoration:

"Bid for cash could benefit Glasgow ex music hall. 28th July 2009

Communities in the East End of Glasgow are bidding to win a multi-million share of a new Government fund to improve local high
streets. One of the four groups, the local regeneration agency, believe the cash could bring the ex-Olympia Theatre of Varieties back to life and transform a neglected crossroads by restoring it to its former architectural glory.

The money would allow Clyde Gateway to buy the building from its current owners and make it secure, saving it from further deterioration, then look closer at the possible options for use stating that to leave it as-is is no longer acceptable. It has been vacant for 16 years.

The £1.9m bid from the fund would fund the purchase by Clyde Gateway and then another £3.6m would be invested to start refurbishment work, with the likely use being a sports facility or office space for local businesses and services.

Ms Carlin added: "The ambition is to have public access to the building again. If it was turned into a residential development it would mean the loss of a community facility. Competition for the cash is high with the £60million fund attracting 133 bids from around Scotland totaling£125m. Source: Evening Times.

Above text from the website of The Theatres Trust.