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The Theatre Royal and Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham

Formerly Parliament Street

Above - The Theatre Royal and Concert Hall, Nottingham in 2011 - Courtesy Ralph Stephenson

The Theatre Royal, Nottingham was originally constructed by J. and W. Lambert and opened on the 25th of September 1865. The Theatre was designed by the well known Theatre Architect, C. J. Phipps and built on Parliament Street which now forms part of Theatre Square. The Concert Hall, which now stands next door to the Theatre Royal, was built in 1969 on the site of the former Empire Theatre which was itself built in 1898.

The year after the Theatre Royal opened shares were offered in the Company of 2,000 at £10 each and the prospectus, part of which is shown right, was printed in the ERA on the 1st of April, 1866, saying: 'In the rapid development which, since the passing of the Inclosure Act, has taken place in the Town of Nottingham, and the increased number of its Inhabitants - exceeding, with those of the immediate neighbourhood, 110 thousand - the want of a New Theatre, adequate to these changes, was long felt to be a desideratum.

This want has been met in the erection, by Messrs J. and W. Lambert, of the New Theatre in Parliament-street - one of the most complete and attractive, perhaps, to be found within the Provinces.

The House, which is constructed to seat 2,200 persons, has been erected from designs by C. J. Phipps, Esq., F.S.A. of London and Bath, and possesses all those constructive advantages which characterise the best Theatres of the present day.

In embarking originally in this undertaking the Messrs. Lambert were actuated by a desire to elevate the popular taste, and erect a Theatre worthy of their native town. They believed that they should best accomplish this by accepting, in the first instance, the entire responsibility, and they accepted it accordingly, relying upon their fellow-townsmen, when the building should be finished to join them in the undertaking, and to assist them in their endeavours to make the Theatre - what they are satisfied it may be made - a place of innocent recreation and of moral and intellectual culture.

Left - A poster for the Pantomime 'Cinderella' at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham from the 24th of December 1935. - Courtesy Stephen Wischhusen.

Having completed their work, and started the enterprise under such circumstances as to afford every guarantee of success, they have now determined to apply to it that Joint Stock principle which is so successfully and generally in operation in regard to almost every form of enterprise and investment, and which appears peculiarly applicable to an undertaking of this description. Arrangements have, therefore, been made for a transfer to a Joint Stock Company, Limited, of the Theatre, with the Saloons and Dwelling-house adjoining and the outbuildings and approaches thereto, for the sum of £15,000, and of the extensive Machinery, Scenery, Properties, and Effects, belonging to the Theatre for the sum of £3,000, the amount expended thereon by the Messrs. Lambert.

Right - The auditorium of the Theatre Royal, Nottingham - Courtesy David Garratt.

To provide for these amounts not more, it is believed, than one half of the proposed Capital of the Company will have to be called up, as a considerable portion of the purchase money may, if required, be borrowed on security of the property.

From the success which has attended the Theatre since its opening on the 25th of September last, there cannot be a doubt that the undertaking will prove a highly remunerative investment.

In the arrangement for purchase Messrs. Lambert have agreed to accept £5,000 of the purchase money in Shares marked fully paid, and to act, in the first instance, as two of the Directors of the Company. The remaining shares (except such as have been already subscribed for by the other Directors), are now offered to the General Public.

Left - The Theatre Royal, Nottingham - From an early postcard

Each application for Shares, in the annexed form, must be accompanied by the payment of 10s. per Share, which may be paid to the Company's Bankers. Should no allotment be made the money so paid will be returned, free of any deductions; or, if the allotment made be less than the number of Shares applied for, the amount so paid will be applied towards the payment of the deposit on allotment of such number of Shares as may be allotted.

Applications for Shares may be addressed to the Solicitors of the Company, of whom Prospectuses may be obtained.'

The above text in quotes was first published in the ERA, April 1st 1865 - Courtesy B.F.

In 1870, just 5 years after the Theatre first opened, C. J. Phipps was called back in to the Theatre to alter his original auditorium. Works included replacing the pillars either side of the proscenium, which were previously considered huge and ugly, by new light and elegant ones, which also made the stage a little wider and the view from the sides of the auditorium better. A new Act Drop by Gordon was also created to finish this off. The front of the stage was also lowered at this time, something which would happen again in 1897 so the site lines of this Theatre seem to have been a continuous problem in the early years. New boxes were also added either side of the auditorium so that the previous three boxes on either side now became two tiers of four on either side plus two slips on either side of the Dress Circle, bringing the total boxes up to twelve. And the whole auditorium was cleaned and redecorated.

In 1897 the Theatre Royal was extensively reconstructed and refurbished by Henry Vickers, of Nottingham, to the designs of the renowned Theatre Architect, Frank Matcham. Reconstruction included lowering the stage and pit floor by some 2 foot and removing and replacing the original upper circle, gallery, and boxes, altering exit and entrance staircases, altering the stage house and rebuilding the dressing room block, basically a complete reconstruction of the Theatre.

Above - The auditorium of the Theatre Royal, Nottingham - Courtesy David Garratt.

The Theatre Royal reopened with a production of 'One of the Best' on Monday the 22nd of August 1897 and the ERA reported on the changes to the building in their 28th of August edition saying: 'The Theatre Royal, Nottingham, which was erected in 1865, and is to be reopened on Monday, with One of the Best, has been undergoing extensive alterations. The pit floor has been lowered about 2f., as also has the stage, which has been given a slight shade more dip from the back to the front. This alteration has necessitated the shortening of all the timber supports, and the cellars underneath have had to be lowered accordingly. The stage is about 64f t. wide and 50ft. in depth. A new orchestra, part of which is concealed under the stage, has been built.

Right - A programme for Hamilton Dean and his company performing in 'When we were young' at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham on July 24th 1933.

The upper circle is now reached by a new staircase, which replaces the old one, and, emerging into the crush room is another elaborate staircase, which is to be used as an exit. The staircase leading to the gallery is built outside the building, and is connected by a sloping corridor. It is a fine structure, and is about 6ft. in width. The old gallery, which accommodated 800, and the upper circle and dress-circle, each capable of seating about 300, have been removed, and new ones of more modern construction have taken their places.

The arrangement of the gallery will enable its occupants to get a much better view of the stage than they formerly had, as the steppings, numbering nine, have a rise of nearly 18in. each. The same remark applies to both the upper circle and dress-circle, where the construction has been steeper, though much more modified than the gallery. The new level to the dress-circle is 2ft. higher than the old one, and is approached by four steps leading from the foyer room.

The dress-circle saloon is now entered by a new entrance, and access to the gentlemen's lavatory is gained from the saloon, whereas it was formerly entered from the front of the building. New ladies' cloak rooms and lavatories have been erected in close proximity to both the dress-circle, upper circle, and gallery, the latter having been provided with a saloon on a large scale. The corridors which were formerly in use in the dress-circle, upper circle, and gallery have entirely disappeared, and the space taken up by the same has been added to the auditorium.

Left - A postcard showing the Theatre Royal, Nottingham in 1905.

All the boxes have been removed, and new ones fixed in their places. The old staircase leading to the gallery is to be used as an early entrance and exit only from this part of the house. The old marble staircase is about the only old part remaining intact. It has been thoroughly overhauled, and the extensive decorations carried out in connection with it make it appear bright and attractive. While the entrance to the pit remains in the same position slight improvements and alterations have been made. There are two alarm exits from the floor of the theatre, one through the crush room, and the other by way of the old early entrance adjoining the Clarendon Hotel.

The whole of the dressing-rooms have been cut off, and a new block has been built at the rear of the stage. They are exceedingly well fitted up, and will, doubtless, be found more comfortable than the old ones, which presented a dismal appearance.

Right - The Auditorium ceiling of the Theatre Royal, Nottingham - Courtesy David Garratt.

New carpenters' shops have been built, and the modern constructed scenery docks, with movable doors, will enable the scenery shifters to carry out their duties expeditiously. The whole of the steps are of artificial stone, specially cast in position, and will not be so liable to accident as the ordinary stone steps. The decorations, which have been made from new designs prepared by Mr Frank Matcham, the architect, are in fibrous plaster, and of the period of Louis XIV. The cost of the alterations will make a " big hole" into five figures. The theatre, which will accommodate about 3,000, will be lighted by electricity on an extensive and artistic scale. Mr Henry Vickers, of Nottingham, is he contractor.'

The above text in quotes was first published in the ERA, 28th August 1897 - Courtesy B.F.

Above - The Theatre Royal, Nottingham during the run of 'Can-Can' on the 25th of June 1956 - Courtesy Gerry Atkins

The Theatre Royal remains in pretty much its 1897 form today although it has been refurbished on several occasions including in the 1970s when backstage areas were rebuilt and the frontage of the Theatre altered slightly. The Theatre now forms part of the 'Royal Centre' which incorporates the Theatre itself and the Royal Concert Hall, which was built in 1969 on the site of the former Empire Theatre next door.

You may like to visit the Theatre Royal's own website here.

The Empire Theatre of Varieties, Theatre Square, Nottingham

Formerly South Sherwood Street

Above - A postcard showing the Empire Theatre, Nottingham, and the Theatre Royal to the left of the picture

The Empire Theatre, Nottingham was built as a variety Theatre for Oswald Stoll in 1898, next door to the 1865 Theatre Royal, and opened on Monday the 28th of February 1898 with two performances of an opening variety show. The Theatre was designed by the renowned Theatre Architect, Frank Matcham who had in 1870 reconstructed the Theatre Royal.

Right - A Variety Programme for the Nottingham Empire on Monday may 27th 1935 - Acts included the Barry Twins and Molly, Mr. Thomas, The Vive Cleveres, Connie Graham, Nat Gonella and His Georgians, Stan Pell and Stan Little, Steffani and his 16 Singing Scholars, Art Frank, and D'Amsell and Boy.

The ERA printed a report on the opening of the Empire Theatre in their 5th of March 1898 edition saying: 'It is only bare truth to say that the Nottingham Empire Theatre, opened on Monday evening, rivals in internal elegance and in the comfort of its arrangements the best music halls in the provinces. Indeed, the cities are very few which can boast a variety hall so well arranged and so charmingly furnished and decorated. The interest of all local amusement-seekers had been for some months centred on the structure in South Sherwood-street daily progressing towards completion, but it is safe to say that their anticipations were more than fully realised when, as the curtain rose on the Dolce Quartet prepared to sing the National Anthem, the full power of the electric light illumined a really brilliant scene.

It will be remembered that when at the close of 1896 the Theatre Royal changed hands it was expected that it would be turned into a music hall, but the syndicate which purchased it came to the conclusion that it would be a pity to divert from its ancient channel of amusement a theatre so popular as the Royal, and the offer to take it on a long lease coming apropos from Mr Robert Arthur, it was thought advisable to accept his offer and build a new up-to-date music hall on the land adjoining the theatre which had been included in the original purchase. Thus the Theatre Royal and the Empire Palace are absolutely distinct interests. The Theatre Royal is leased for a long term of years to the Robert Arthur Theatres Company (Limited), whilst the Empire is the undertaking of the Nottingham Theatre of Varieties, Limited, of which Mr H. E. Moss, a gentleman widely known in the music hall profession for enterprise and acumen, is the chairman, while the managing-director is Mr Oswald Stoll, of Cardiff, representative of a family which for many years has held the highest position in the world of variety entertainment.

The ground immediately adjoining the Theatre Royal on the South Sherwood-street side was selected as the site destined for the reception of the future variety theatre, and active operations were commenced in June last year. The architect was Mr Frank Matcham, whose experience in regard to theatrical designing is probably unique. The first steps were, of course, to pull down the shops before mentioned, which extended from the dress-circle entrance of the Royal to the yard leading to the entrance of the Royal to the yard leading to the present stage entrance to the theatre. The greatest obstacle to this portion of the operations lay in the disposal of the immense quantity of scenery stored in the Royal scene dock, which was likewise situated among the shops. This difficulty overcome, and the alterations entered upon by Mr Robert Arthur once completed, the work of erecting the music hall was rapidly proceeded with.

Left - A Variety Programme for the Nottingham Empire on Monday 28th November 1938 - Acts included The Vanstrattans, Harry Coady, Frank Marx & Iris, Gaudsmith Brothers & Company, Bill Rolls & Dorothy, Kingsley & Forde, and Henry Hall & His Orchestra.

The auditorium presents a remarkably gorgeous spectacle. The scheme of decoration is Oriental in character, and Indian methods in regard to art have been largely drawn upon. The two boxes which flank the stage are surmounted by pagoda-like gilded domes, and two grinning idols guard each side of the procenium. The ceiling and circle fronts are resplendent with blue and gold colouring, the hues which are the predominating features of the scheme. So far as the ceiling itself is concerned, there is sufficient work of an interesting nature to occupy the eye for a considerable time. The general effect is so exceptional that it is impossible by a detailed description to give a really adequate idea of the work, but a few of the leading designs may be briefly indicated. Large models of elephants' heads stand out boldly at each corner, supporting the ceiling, and there are four huge tablets representing Indian tapestry, depicted in the peculiar colours which are characteristic of this material. Finely-executed hand-painted designs upon various subjects are let into the ceiling here and there, and nearing the centre are more representations of Indian gods and sun rays, displayed in relief. Exactly in the centre is fixed a glass sliding roof, after the style of the Pavilion and Canterbury, among other London halls. This can be removed and replaced in the short space of time of half a minute, the mechanism being extremely simple. There are upwards of 100 electric lights in the auditorium, most of which are in the form of "shower" electroliers. Over forty descend from the ceiling, while thirty are fixed round each circle.

The entrances are all situated in South Sherwood-treet. The visitors to the grand circle and fauteuils are admitted from the street to a crush-room. A wide and easy flight of stone steps leads to a well-appointed lounge, which extends from one side of the circle to the other. At each end is placed a cloak-room, that destined for the use of ladies being to the right hand. The staircase and lounge walls are covered with thick leather paper of very handsome appearance, in maroon and gold. At the back of the grand circle a series of roomy boxes, similar to those at the London Empire, have been placed.

Right - A Bill for 'Call Us Mister!' at the Nottingham Empire in the 1950s - Courtesy Maurice Poole.

The seats in the grand circle, stalls, and fauteuils are all on the tip-up principle, upholstered in old gold plush, which imparts to the auditorium a very warm and comfortable appearance. The fauteuils are reached from the circle, the arrangement in this respect being similar to that which obtains at the Theatre Royal. A pierced barrier, carved into small balustrades, surrounds the circle, which contains six rows of seats. There are three rows of the fauteuils, and many rows of stalls. The pit has several rows of well-cushioned benches, while the balcony is provided with seats which are similarly padded. Behind the balcony is situated the gallery, which is able to accommodate a large number of occupants. The line of sight throughout the building is admirable, and there is not a seat in the theatre which does not command an uninterrupted view of the stage. Ample attention has been given to the exit doors, several of which will, of course, only be requisitioned in case of emergency. Should necessity arise the hall should be cleared in two and a-half minutes, so that the safety of the audiences is practically ensured. There is also an emergency staircase from the balcony to the street.

At the back of the stage the arrangements are of a most complete character. The stage, which is 35ft. wide, with a 30ft, proscenium opening, is equipped with every appliance necessary for the production, if required, of a spectacular piece. There are bridges, cuts, traps, and vampires. The flies are 53ft. from the stage. The electric light is to be used for the footlights and battens, while electric projectors take the place of the limes. Bulbs of three colours constitute the foot and proscenium lights. The electric switchboard is, in fact, a very elaborate affair. A complete instalment of gas has, however, been laid on, in the event of any mishap with the electrical plant. The dressing-rooms, which are ten in number, have been arranged with a view to the comfort of their temporary inmates, and contain both hot and cold water.

The façade in South Sherwood-street certainly does not prepare the passer-by for the ornate appearance of the auditorium. Before leaving the subject mention should be made of Mr J. Greenman, who, in the responsible position of resident clerk of the works for Mr Matcham, has superintended the erecting of the music hall from the commencement. Mr Greenman has accomplished much valuable work in connection with the building operations. Smartly uniformed attendants on Monday looked after the bestowal of visitors, and in every respect the hall presented the aspect its title implies - a theatre of varieties.

The performance at each " house " was exactly the same, and there was a big audience at each, certain members of the Corporation being present at the first "house'' by invitation. Miss Lydia Yeamans-Titus sang and acted delightfully. Mr F. J. Titus accompanied her with taste and skill. Stelling and Revell on the triple bars were clever and comical; Kara did some almost incredible jugling; Miss Rose Elliott's singing was pleasing; and Crowley, a male soprano, excited astonishment and applause. A capital turn was that of the Welsh Prize Glee Singers, who sing with great taste and sweetness, Fratelli Riccobono exhibited their marvellously trained horses and dog; Little Major Leslie's eccentricities were amusing; and the darkey doings of Beatty and Bentley were droll to a degree. The acting-Manager is Mr James Wynes, and the deputy acting-manager, Mr T. Gerald Morton.'

The above text in quotes was first published in the ERA, 5th of March 1898 - Courtesy B.F.

The Empire Theatre continued as a variety Theatre for many years but eventually found itself home to girly shows and the like. The Theatre was demolished in 1969 and the Royal Concert Hall now stands on its site.

Right - A Bill for 'Peep Show' at the Nottingham Empire in 1957 - Courtesy Maurice Poole.

Arthur Lloyd is known to have performed at the Nottingham Empire Theatre in 1900.

The Empire and Theatre Royal, Nottingham
From 'Moss Empires' Theatres in the Fifties' by Donald Auty

Above - Early postcard of Theatre Square, Nottingham showing the Hippodrome (Centre), the Theatre Royal, (Right), and to the far right of the image, part of the Empire Theatre.

These two theatres adjoined each other, the Empire was a Matcham house and the Theatre Royal was originally Phipps but rebuilt by Matcham at a later date. The Empire housed variety and the Theatre Royal musicals and plays.

Tim Tillson was the manager of both houses and a martinet of the first order. He moved to the Palace Manchester shortly after the Empire closed. I had many a row with him because the man was entirely inflexible and also used to try and levy absurd contra charges at the end of the week A friend of mine once put on the settlement sheet on a Saturday night 'signed under duress' and there was a great rumpus back at the head office in Cranbourne Mansions on the following Monday morning.

Harry Hackworth was musical director at both houses and furnished pit orchestras of any size as required from a pool of local musicians.

The dock doors of both theatres were side by side and there is a story of how the show loads went into the wrong theatres one morning and it was not discovered until a cloth for a Shakespeare production was hung at the Variety Empire. I bet the stage staff loved transferring the loads and made sure that it never happened again.

Uncle Bob was stage manager at the Theatre Royal at the back end and spent most of his time in the Turf Tavern across the Road. We used to load him onto a bus with instructions to the driver to put him off outside his house on most nights.

When Tim Tillson moved to Manchester Frank Mathie took over. He came down from the Glasgow Empire when it closed. He used to enter the theatre through the stage door in the morning as all old time managers did in order to make sure that all the backstage staff were there and working and insisted on the safety curtain being raised during the morning so that he could see what was happening on stage. They don't make them like Frank any more.

When Frank retired Lenard Claxton the assistant took over and fought valiantly for the theatre and was in a lot of ways responsible for its survival. He stayed on when the corporation took over and retired a few years ago.

The Empire was demolished in the sixties (1969) and the concert hall now stands on the site.

(The Stage Manager at the Empire was George Rainburn who went to Brighton Hippodrome when the Empire closed - Alan Chudley.)

The Theatre Royal was refurbished with a magnificent new backstage and part of the frontage when the corporation took over in the seventies. It is still an extremely vibrant theatre. With the auditorium as it was in the Phipps days. The plaster work is specially listed and protected and you cannot drill into it in order to put up lamps or Kirby wires.

The above text on the Theatre Royal and Empire, Nottingham is from 'Moss Empires' Theatres in the Fifties' by Donald Auty and was very kindly sent in by him for inclusion on this site.

First Theatre Royal, St Mary's Gate, Nottingham

Later The Royal Alhambra Music Hall

Not to be confused with the Theatre Royal which is still operating in Nottingham today, (described above) there was an earlier Theatre Royal in St Mary's Gate which was built in 1760.

Right - A Bill for a Benefit for Mr. Pope and a performance of 'Provoked Husband' and 'No Song, No Supper' or 'The Lawyer in the Sack' at the St Mary's Gate Theatre Royal on August the 12th 1804 - Courtesy Alan Chudley.

This Theatre Royal became the Royal Alhambra Music Hall in April 1856, and then a restaurant in the 1880s.

The restaurant later closed due to it becoming a haunt of prostitutes and then became a Lace Warehouse around the turn of the Century.

The building was destroyed by bombs during the war.

This information on the St. Mary's Gate Theatre Royal, Nottingham was kindly sent in by Alan Chudley.

If you have any more information or images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact Me.

The Former Playhouse, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham

Formerly Pringles Picture Palace / Goldsmith Street Picture House / New Repertory Theatre / Little Theatre

Above - The Little Theatre during the run of 'The Merchant of Venice' Circa 1945 - Courtesy Alan Chudley

The first Playhouse Theatre in Nottingham was built in Goldsmith Street and originally opened as Pringles Picture Palace in 1910. This Theatre was built as a Cine-Variety Theatre and was equipped with a very small stage of only 12 foot deep by 18 foot wide, with a height of just 20 foot and no fly tower.

Right - Programme for 'Arms and the Man' at the Nottingham Playhouse - Courtesy Alan Chudley

By the 1940s it was in use as a repertory Theatre called the Little Theatre or New Repertory Theatre.

Left - Programme for 'Lucky Dip' at the Little Theatre, Nottingham in 1945 - Courtesy Alan Chudley

In 1948 the building became the Nottingham Playhouse whose company, led by Val May and Frank Dunlop, became very successful despite the hugely limiting effects of the Theatre's tiny stage. Eventually the Playhouse Company had a new Theatre built for them in 1963 (See Below) and the original Theatre became a furniture retail shop before being converted into a public House.

If you have any more information or images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact Me.

The Current Playhouse, Wellington Circus, Nottingham

The current Nottingham Playhouse was built by Peter Moro who was involved with the designs of the interior of the Royal Festival Hall in London. The Theatre opened in 1963 with Sir Tyrone Guthrie’s production of Shakespeare's Coriolanus. The Theatre was built with a conventional proscenium arched stage and an auditorium which seated 770 and was constructed from concrete which was visible in its interior walls.

To see a 360 degree image of the stage and auditorium today click here.

In 1996 the Playhouse received a Grade II Listing, and in 2004 the Theatre received Heritage Lottery Funding and other grants totaling nearly £2 million to fund the building of a new bar and restaurant for the Theatre called 'Cast' and a new educational space. The Playhouse currently seats 750 people.

You may like to visit the Playhouse's own website here...

If you have any images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact Me.

The Malt Cross Music Hall, 16 St James Street, Nottingham

The Malt Cross in Nottingham's St. James Street was built in 1877 as a Public House and Music Hall by William Taylor
for a Mr. Welson who was actually a plumber by trade.

The Hall, on the ground floor of this three storey building is around 45 foot long by 30 foot wide. There is a balcony around the three sides opposite the stage supported by iron columns. There was also another balconied space built below the main hall which was used as a restaurant. Music Hall ceased at the Malt Cross by 1914.

In 1997 the Hall was restored and now functions as a bar, restaurant, gallery, and performance venue.

For a 360 degree image of the Malt Cross today click here.

You may like to visit the Malt Cross Website here.

If you have any images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact Me.

The Hippodrome Theatre, Nottingham
Later - The Gaumont Cinema

Above - Early postcard of Theatre Square, Nottingham showing the Hippodrome (Centre), the Theatre Royal, (Right), and to the far right of the image, part of the Empire Theatre.

The Nottingham Hippodrome was designed by the respected Theatre Architect Bertie Crewe in 1908 and opened on the 28th of September that year.

The Theatre was the last of the Hippodromes to be built for Thomas Barrasford who died in Brighton in 1910, within two years of the Nottingham Hippodrome being built. He had a thing about building his Large Hippodromes on Oswald Stoll's doorstep. Stoll at the time was managing Director of Moss Empires. The Nottingham Grand was also owned by Moss Empires for many years, being turned over to Gaumount British in 1946. The Hippodrome had a stage 60 feet deep.

Right - APoster for the Leon Salberg Pantomime 'Bo-Peep' at the Nottingham Hippodrome for January the 21st 1924, a production which was performed with a similar cast at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre the following year. - Courtesy Stephen Wischhusen.

The Nottingham Hippodrome was later converted for cinema use and renamed the Gaumont but closed in 1971 and was demolished in 1972.

Some of the above information was kindly sent in by Alan Chudley

Hippodrome, Nottingham, Memories
by Ralph Stephenson

The Hippodrome, Nottingham was a big Theatre, the exterior in the later Victorian style – even if it was built in Edwardian times; ignore the sign and it could have been an insurance company or bank head office.

The interior was all Georgian revival period; lots of ornate gilt paint with red plush, not only on carpets and seats, but lining the front of the balconies and the drapes in the two-tier side boxes which augmented the classic “horseshoe” shaped auditorium with three circle levels above the stalls; a dress circle, circle and the upper circle (or ‘the gods’ as they were known) so high that only the ceiling, chandeliers and projection box were higher. The tier angle up there was 33 degrees! Never plush in its day, they were the cheap ticket area with separate access staircases, box office, bar, toilets and exits. There weren't even seats but terraced benches -Victorian values indeed!

Left - The Nottingham Hippodrome can be seen to the right of this early postcard.

It had long been closed when I arrived at ‘The Hippo’ in 1962, aged 15, as a trainee projectionist at The Gaumont cinema (Rank second circuit) as it was by then - and had been for some time. Projection staff did have access to the gods, our “other” route down to the backstage and backyard entrance, but it was also somewhere to watch the week’s films from on breaks in the 12 hour day!

Quite a lot remained functioning backstage while the auditorium was almost completely untouched. Changing to cinema function then didn't mean becoming a two or three screen multiplex, that was still nearly four years in the future when Rank’s first circuit Odeon in Nottingham became the UK’s first major twin screen house.

Part of the stage, in front of the cinema screen with the sound speakers behind, was still used for regular presentations of live music acts included in our Saturday morning Rank Teen Club, mainly ‘pop’ or ‘beat’ groups (this just before ‘rock band’ took over as a term.) A local DJ also hosted dancing to ‘records’ first, and after the musical mayhem came the movies.

The stage control board in the stage-right wings still operated the screen ‘tabs’ (curtains) providing background to stage acts, and the stage footlight tabs. Along with the footlights and sidelights, the safety curtain had, by law, to still function too. Rows of indicator lights on this board showed systems for backdrops, cueing and even the trapdoors still worked.

Officially, because of my age, I was not allowed backstage alone very often, my role in Teen Shows was operating a high ‘key’ spotlight up on the front of ‘the gods’ – however, on other days during my breaks I sometimes cautiously explored those areas. Extra front stage was actually the boarded-over orchestra pit but underneath I found it still existed, although the entrance doors were locked. I was once given a glimpse inside by the Polish caretaker and boiler stoker, Jan, who had the keys. Very dusty chairs and music stands were still in place awaiting the orchestra that never returned! A grand piano stood by the stage left in the auditorium and was routinely kept tuned but I never heard it formally played.

Backstage areas in old Theatres all have common aspects which I first found at the Gaumont; the brick walls are likely painted a unique shade of green to about 5ft. in height divided by a thin once-white line and peeling paint of a sad cream shade, long darkened by dust above that. Black electricity conduit piping is everywhere along walls and all corridor lighting is in frosty glass fronted ‘bulkhead’ fixtures, alongside gas lighting too - still required then for all Exit sign boxes in the building. Floors are usually stone and cold. All steps are red Cardinal brand polished with white lines on the edges and sides and there is always the universal background smell of the same disinfectant. Behind the screen and speakers there was a vast stage area and the scenery “dock” high doors remained with their electric drives still working too. Cleared of most paraphernalia it was still kept clean once a month. Overhead were the ‘fly’ walkways. Our small army of women cleaners kept the screen clean once a week with a special extension tube vacuum brush working from a stage outlet of the house vacuum “ring main” the compressor supplying this was in the boiler room basement area along with the two generators which supplied the DC current for the film projector carbon arc lighting. Heavy backdrop frames must still have been up in the flys because there were the usual clusters of ropes coming down to the wooden tie-off frames either side of the stage and steel weave cables descending to hand driven geared cranking winches.

Underneath, corridors of dressing rooms, band rooms and open, wire mesh fronted, store rooms held a variety of disused equipment, amongst which was an early Trix public address system amplifier and microphone I yearned to own from the first time I saw it. Daring to ask one day if it could be sold to me our Chief said he’d think it over but had reached no decision before I left. Safely escorted by another projectionist in the course of daily work we’d occasionally go along the same corridors, I pretending to see the areas for the first time!

Above - A Company Photograph for an unknown production at the Nottingham Hippodrome - Courtesy Noel Skinner, who says: 'My Grandfather, stage name Harry Cassidy, was on the music halls and I believe among other people he worked with were Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel, he is standing 3rd from the right in the natty bowler in this Photo.' If you know who any of the people in the cast or on the posters behind them were, or can pinpoint the date please Contact me here.

In the auditorium three chandeliers were suspended, the central one a real Phantom of the Opera behemoth, one could imagine Lon Chaney sending crashing into the stalls. Somewhat akin to the mother ship in Close Encounters when lit and seen from the gods, funnily enough, its nickname was “the UFO”! The two flanking chandeliers were only a third the size. All were lowered in one week, once a year, for bulb replacement and cleaning of the many glass compartments. They were controlled by hand cranked winches in the space between the auditorium ceiling and the roof called “the voids” – I was never allowed in there!

A “winch down night” meant that two projectionists stayed on for an hour’s overtime to lower “the UFO” carefully to the auditorium floor, because of its weight. This saved time for cleaning it and raising it again the next day. The smaller chandeliers only needed half an hour and one man per winch to lower.

Above - Early postcard of Theatre Square, Nottingham showing the Hippodrome (Centre), the Theatre Royal, (Right), and to the far right of the image, part of the Empire Theatre.

The film storage and rewind room of the projection box had been added to the roof where several wooden duck-board walkways provided safe routes to the void's door and also to the dome high above the main entrance on the corner of Goldsmith and Woollaton Streets. This was an open to the air cupola serving no purpose other than decoration and shelter for pigeons but had wonderful views of Nottingham to offer, day or night, perched as it was atop the hill that forms a main artery city junction still called Theatre Square. Originally, The Hippodrome shared the square with (going clockwise) the County Hotel, Theatre Royal, The Empire variety Theatre, The News Exchange music hall pub, The Scala Theatre (and later cinema) and a music hall on Upper Parliament Street that became The Odd Hour News Theatre in the 1930s but closed in the mid ‘50s. Their rear entrance on Woollaton Street faced the south side of the Hippodrome.

To return to our main entrance, the steps would survive demolition and become part of the replacement building. The box office was on the right and a sales kiosk to the left, stairs by both led to an immaculately curved (and preserved) dress circle corridor lounge, in light Wedgewood Regency blue with gold wall fittings against striped wallpaper. Centre to these staircases was the broad one down to the stalls. The lobby was staffed by the ticket box lady and the sales kiosk lady, the senior and junior uniformed commissionaires and assistant manager in evening dress! The stalls and circles also had two uniformed usherettes each – full employment indeed.

My last visit, as a customer once more, was in 1969 (The Thomas Crown Affair, Steve McQueen) and not much had changed except the upper circle had closed, possibly a couple of years previously, doubtless due to declining regular audience.

Notice to close came from Rank Theatres Division in mid-1971 “quite suddenly” according to the last manager, and demolition followed in 1972. By then I’d lived in Brighton, then London for two years and never saw that ultimate indignity of any large building which always seems especially poignant when it’s a cinema or Theatre under the wrecking ball.

The above article on the Hippodrome, Nottingham was kindly written for this site and sent in for inclusion on it by Ralph Stephenson in March 2011.

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The Grand Theatre, 2, Radford Road, Hyson Green, Nottingham

Later - Nottingham Repertory / Grand Cinema

The Nottingham Grand Theatre was built for Councillor Morrison by E. Long and opened on Monday the 1st of February 1886. The Theatre was about a mile from the City Centre on Radford Road, Hyson Green. The first Lessee of the Grand was Emily Kennion, of the Theatre Royal, Leicester. The Grand's stage was deeper then the Theatre Royal's at 85ft., and had a width of 57ft, 6in. The width of the proscenium opening was 28ft with a height of 32ft. The Theatre's auditorium was built on three levels, stalls and pit, dress circle, gallery, and two boxes on the ground floor, and could accommodate 2,600 people, seated and standing. The Theatre was equipped with a scene painting gallery some 30 foot above the fly floor, and had a basement beneath the stage of 32 foot so that scenery could be lowered under the stage. Accommodation for artistes was very large with 17 dressing rooms reached from corridors on either side of the stage, a large ballet room on stage left, and a green room behind the stage with store rooms, an armoury, and rooms for management also included.

The ERA reported on the Theatre in their 6th of February 1886 edition saying: 'In previous issues we have given descriptions of the progress made with this building in its course of construction, and this week we are enabled to announce its practical completion and opening to the public. For an account of this last named our readers are referred to our provincial columns. The building has been erected by Mr Councillor Morrison, and is situated in a thickly populated part of the town. It is, however, a considerable distance from Nottingham Market-place; but whether this circumstance will militate against its future success or popularity can be proved only by experience. There is a service of trams running from the centre of the town past the theatre, and this we understand is to be increased. Nottingham, is now well provided with theatres, and no doubt between the Royal, with its brilliant history, and the new theatre there will be a friendly rivalry for patronage, which we hope may prove of advantage to the public and to the pecuniary benefit of both establishments. The lessee of the new theatre is Mrs Emily Kennion, of the Theatre Royal, Leicester, and the general manager is Captain T. R. Kennion.

The theatre is a handsome structure, with most of the latest improvements. The auditorium consists of dress circle, pit, and gallery, there being no upper circle or amphitheatre, as in many such like buildings. The whole of the seats are so constructed that a view of the entire stage can be had from all parts of the house. The floor of the pit rises with a considerable pitch, which will be found a great advantage to the occupants of that region. Seating accommodations here provided for 800, and, in addition, there is a promenade at the back giving room for 300 more. The Seats in the pit are comfortably upholstered, and provided with back rails. The dress circle is arranged to seat 500 people, and at the back, from side to side, runs a promenade. This is 57ft. long, and from all parts of it a full view of the stage can be had. The seats are upholstered with crimson velvet, and the space is ample between the rows to allow of easy passage in and out. The gallery has seating capacity for nearly 1,000 persons.

The auditorium is lighted by a magnificent sun-light, supplied by Messrs Strode, of London. Attached to it is a ventilating shaft to carry off the products of the gas consumption. Of private boxes there are but two, and these are on the ground floor, close to the proscenium, and overlooking the orchestra. Opening off the entrance corridor to the pit is a large refreshment-bar, and there is a smaller bar on the dress circle level.

Ventilation is a matter that has been well attended to. The stage in depth measures 85ft., and in breadth 57ft, 6in. The width of the proscenium is 28ft., with a height of 32ft. Over the flies, about 30ft. above the stage, is the scene-painting gallery. Beneath the mezzanine floor (8ft. below the stage floor) is a depth of 32ft., so that the largest piece of scenery can be lowered out of sight.

Staircases ascend from the stage to corridors leading on the one side to the actors' and on the other to the actresses' dressing-rooms, of which there are seventeen, including two special rooms for "stars," These rooms are warmed with gas stoves, and water is laid on in each. The green-room is at the back of the stage, and there are also property and furniture store-rooms, armoury, managers' rooms, &c. Adjoining the left hand corridor is a large dressing-room for members of the ballet. All these apartments have fireproof floors and walls. The same precaution has been taken all through the building where possible. Should a fire unfortunately occur, there are two tanks of water above the stage, holding 1,500 gallons each, which can be made to discharge their contents almost instantaneously. There are also two hydrants available.

As to the decorations, they are characterised by good taste. The prevailing tint of the 'walls is French grey. The ceiling is of rectangular shape, with a large central panel round the sunlight, and smaller ones on each side. The centre panel is ornamented with a mythological painting, and at the corners are busts of Macready, Bacon, Shakespeare, and Byron. The smaller panels are embellished with floral designs. The front of the gallery is covered with classical figures, whilst the dress circle in front is ornamented with chaste embossed work. Over the proscenium are the words "All the world's a stage." An act drop has been specially painted, representing King Charles raising the standard in Nottingham, most of the figures on the picture being taken from authentic sources.

Means of egress and ingress are apparently ample, it being estimated that a full house could he emptied in three minutes. The most attractive features of the entrance are an ornamental iron portico, illuminated by two large and tastefully constructed lamps, and handsome iron gates, which admit the public to a spacious and brilliantly decorated corridor. This is ornamented with seventeen large mirrors, fitted into arched spaces, eight on each side, and a large one at the end reaching to the floor. The walls are faced with Minton tiles for about 4ft. high, whilst between the mirrors above are chaste pilasters. In the entrance hall, at the foot of the grand staircase, is a handsome fountain, and groups of statuary, the lighting being by means of an elegant chandelier.'

The above text in quotes was first published in the ERA, 6th of February 1886 - Courtesy B.F.

The Grand Theatre continued in this form until it was closed on the 12th of June 1920 for refurbishment and then reopened on the 20th of September as the Nottingham Repertory Theatre. However, this was not very successful and the Theatre closed again on the 28th of June 1924 and was sold to Gaumont British who converted it for Cinema use. The Cinema opened on the 19th of October the following year, 1925, and in January 1926 the Theatre was renamed the Grand Cinema.

In 1946 the building was taken over by Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd and was then run by them for a decade until they closed the Cinema on Saturday the 29th of September 1956.

The Theatre's final end came when it was demolished in 1964.

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Crown & Cushion, Nottingham

Later Walker's / Coleno's Varieties

The Crown & Cushion Theatre was built in 1876.

The Theatre was working until 1908 and was eventually demolished.

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The Bulwell Olympia Theatre was built by Frederick Bull and opened on Monday May the 17th 1915 with a Variety show and a showing of the film 'Revenge of Thomas Atkins'. The Theatre continued in this vein until it closed in March 1922, and then remained closed until January 1928 when it reopened as a home for Drama.

Right - A Variety Programme for the Olympia Theatre, Bulwell - Courtesy Alan Chudley.

In October 1931 a Coal Mine beneath the Theatre subsided forcing the Theatre to close in December but the building was repaired and reopened the following February. Subsidence occurred again in May 1939 however, and large cracks in the supporting walls of the building began to appear, and the balcony front started to sag. This forced the Theatre to close again and it remained so until the end of the war when it was reopened as a Cinema.

The Theatre returned to live shows in January 1949 when Cecil Grace refurbished the house and re-equipped the Theatre with a new lighting system by Furse of Nottingham.

Productions included Variety and Pantomime but the Theatre soon resorted to showing mostly touring 'Girlie Show'.

A guesthouse in Bulwell was a regular home for the artistes of these shows whilst staying in the town, run by a Mr and Mrs Household, whose Guestbook can now be seen on the site here.

The Bulwell Olympia closed for the last time on Saturday the 12th of July 1952. The Theatre was then demolished to make way for a Woolworth's store which opened in December the following year. Apparently there are still some fragments left standing.

Above - A Programme for 'A Date With Eve' at the Olympia Theatre, Bulwell in October 1949 - Courtesy Alan Chudley.

Some of this information on the Bulwell Olympia was provided by Alan Chudley, and some details gleaned from the 'This is Nottingham' Website where you can also see a small photo of the Theatre. Also see - The Bulwell Olympia Guestbook.

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King's Theatre, Market Street, Nottingham

Formerly - The Gaiety Palace of Varieties - Later - The Scala Cinema - Classic - Cannon

Above - The Gaiety Palace of Varieties, which was later to become the King's Theatre - Courtesy Alan Chudley

The King's Theatre Nottingham was in Market Street, on the left hand side as one approached the Theatre Royal, and was within 60 yards of the Theatre Royal. The Theatre was built in 1878 and originally opened as The Gaiety Palace of Varieties, and was a conversion from a former skating rink.

The name was changed to the King's Theatre after the opening of the Empire Theatre and was part of the Frank Mac Naughton Circuit.

The Theatre was later adapted for Cinema use and was renamed The Scala Theatre, and used as a second release Cinema.

A visitor to the site, Ralph Stephenson, says: 'The Scala cinema closed in mid 1963 and was due for demolition but was reprieved and reopened as the Classic 1 & 2 in December 1964 as a twin cinema, where one section was a news and cartoon theatre and the other a full single screen house (in the style of Studios 1 & 2, Oxford street, London) showing first runs, often of 'Continental' releases - the staple diet of the later years of the Scala - boasting a licensed bar and luxury 'armchair' style seating, so references elsewhere to the Odeon being the first twin screen in the UK are not strictly true, the Scala had beaten Rank by a year! The news and cartoon theatre side of the operation was rather over-optimistic as Pathe News, Pathe Gazzette and News of the Week (formerly 20th Century Fox News) newsreels ended the same year or shortly thereafter leaving only Movietone which amazingly lasted another decade. The building was later taken over by Cannon who then ran it until its closure in 1966. Interestingly, the Classic group also took over and renamed the previously mentioned Studio One & Two in Oxford Street as Classic 1 & 2 and obviously got on a roll by opening similar houses in the provinces only to have got the news theatre side of it badly wrongly timed of course. - Ralph Stephenson.

The Theatre was demolished in 1993.

Some of the above information was kindly sent in by Alan Chudley and Ralph Stephenson.

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Albert Hall, Nottingham

Above - An early Photograph of the 1910 rebuilt Albert Hall, Nottingham

Nottingham's original Albert Hall was designed by a local Nottingham architect Mr. Watson Fothergill and was commissioned by the Good Templars as a Temperance Hall. Building work began in September 1873 and despite some early problems with funding the Hall was eventually completed at a cost of £14,000.

Above - An early Photograph of the interior of the original Albert Hall, Nottingham

In 1901 the Hall was sold to a syndicate of local business men for £8,450 and converted into a Wesleyan Methodists Mission Hall which reopened in the following year.

On the 22nd of April 1906 this original Albert Hall was totally destroyed by fire.

Right - Postcard showing the fire which destroyed the Albert Hall, Nottingham on the 22nd of April 1906.

The back of the postcard (right) reads: 'I expect you would read about this in the paper. I didn't know about it untill after Chapel, but I went to have a look. It was still burning, It's the first time I have seen one burning. They were throng there with the water. This is just as it was when burning. Annie had asked me if I wanted to go to the Albert Hall instead of Wesley, on Sunday night but we didn't. If we had we should have got there to see it blazing. I have never been there and shant now. From M D Ri.'

Undeterred by the fire however, the Methodists set about a rebuild, this time employing the architect A. E. Lambert, who had previously designed the Midland Station. The new Albert Hall which was built in the style of a Music Hall or Theatre opened on the 15th of September 1910 and many concerts and other entertainments were put on there over the following years.

In 2008 the Albert Hall is still going strong and is billed as Nottingham and the East Midlands' Central Conference Venue. You may like to visit the Hall's own Website here.