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______________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Hulme Playhouse Theatre, Warwick Street, Manchester Formerly - The Hippodrome - Later - The Grand Junction Theatre / Junction Picture Theatre / Playhouse / BBC Playhouse / Nia Centre.
Above - The Hulme Hippodrome and Playhouse Theatres in November 2011 - Courtesy K.R. |
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The Hulme Playhouse was constructed next door to the current Hulme Hippodrome and originally opened as the Hippodrome Theatre itself in 1902. The Theatre was designed by J. J. Alley who also designed the Theatre next door and both were connected by an arcade. Alley also designed several other Theatres in Manchester, including the Metropole, the Royal Osborne, the Hulme Hippodrome, and the Queens Park Hippodrome along with the Pavilion Theatre in Liverpool, and several others in the Broadhead Circuit.
Right - The Auditorium of the Hulme Playhouse, Manchester during its time as a BBC studio in November 1985 - Photo Courtesy Ted Bottle. In 1905 the Theatre was renamed the Grand Junction Theatre whilst the Theatre next door, originally called the Grand Junction Theatre and Floral Hall, was renamed the Hulme Hippodrome. Both Theatres effectively swapping names. In 1929 the Theatre was converted for Cinema use and renamed the Junction Picture Theatre. In 1951 the Theatre was renamed again, this time to the Playhouse and was in use as a live Theatre again. |
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The James Brenhan Players at the Hulme
Playhouse in 1955
Above - The Procenium and Auditorium of the Hulme Playhouse, Manchester during its time as a BBC studio in November 1985 - Photo Courtesy Ted Bottle.
His favourite part is Archie Fellows in "The Shop
at Sly Corner" and he has an ambition to play Bobby Dariver in
"As Long as They're Happy", as it was once his ambition to
become a crooner_ Right - A programme for the James Brennan Players in 'A Murder Has Been Arranged' which commenced at the Playhouse Theatre, Hulme on Monday the 18th of April 1955 - In the cast were Faith Owen, Gale Howard, Jack Medley, Andree Evans, Adele Loraine, Nicholas Grimshaw, David Kerr, Zita Jenner, and Anthony Booth, (father of Cherie Booth, mentioned in the article above at age 6 months, Cherie would go on to become the wife of the future British Prime Minister Tony Blair).
Above - A programme and ticket stubs for the James Brennan Players in 'A Murder Has Been Arranged' which commenced at the Playhouse Theatre, Hulme on Monday the 18th of April 1955 - In the cast were Faith Owen, Gale Howard, Jack Medley, Andree Evans, Adele Loraine, Nicholas Grimshaw, David Kerr, Zita Jenner, and Anthony Booth, (father of Cherie Booth who would go on to become the wife of the future British Prime Minister Tony Blair). |
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In 1956 the Theatre was renamed again, this time to the BBC Playhouse and used from 1956 to 1987 by the BBC as a Radio and TV studio. The Theatre was also used as a Studio by the Northern Dance Orchestra (NDO), and more information on this can be found here.
"The very latest collection of music from the Northern Dance Orchestra Featuring Johnny Roadhouse and Norman George. A unique, limited edition CD, produced from the only known master tapes of the band, now in private collections. 56 tracks in all. It was thought that because of contractual arrangements, which meant that band numbers were played twice then wiped, that none of this material remained. The NDO project uncovered some wonderful recordings, now totaling some 400, from which these CD’s were made. The quality of the recordings is excellent, the playing superb, the solos sublime - this is quite some double CD. It has been very well received by professional musicians and enthusiasts alike. Available now by ordering direct from the website or by post from:- MWC, PO box 143, Marple (LDO), Stockport, SK6 9AD. The CD’s cost £9.99 + post, packing and ins charge of £2.99, but since the CD’s are produced on a non profit making basis you might like to give a donation to Nordoff Robbins Music therapy charity, £ 2-5 is suggested to help this cause. Please give generously!" Ian Reed.
Above - The Auditorium of the Hulme Playhouse, Manchester
during its time as a BBC studio in November 1985 In 1991 the Theatre was renamed yet again, this time to the Nia Centre, and converted internally for mid size touring productions but the stage depth was made smaller and the site lines were compromised and the venture failed. The Theatre closed in 2000. The Hulme Playhouse is Grade II Listed and its current capacity is 700 but sadly it stands empty today and is slowly decaying. |
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The
Theatre was smaller than its neighbour but had a similar auditorium
with two straight Balconies, but this Theatre has slips running to the
proscenium from the upper Balcony. The Theatre originally had a capacity
of 1,500.
Anthony
Booth's first stage appearance (at school) was as Portia in Shakespeare's
"The Merchant of Venice". Since then he has progressed to
male parts! Before joining this company he has played in repertory in
