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Peckham Theatres Crown Theatre, Peckham High Street
Above - The Crown Theatre, High Street, Peckham - From an early Postcard. The Crown Theatre in Peckham High Street was built by the well known Theatre architect, Ernest Runtz and opened on the 31st of October 1898. Two days before the Theatre was opened to the public, the ERA printed a review of the newly built Theatre in their 29th of October edition saying: 'A very large number of visitors were welcomed by Mr Isaac Cages, the managing director of the Crown Theatre Company, at the private view on Friday afternoon of the handsome new building which has been erected in High-street, Peckham, from Mr Ernest Runtz's beautiful designs. Refreshments were served on the stage which, like the auditorium, was densely crowded; and general admiration was expressed at the handsome decorations and excellent arrangements of the new theatre, which, we understand, will hold, at popular prices, nearly £200. Entering by the crush room, which is 20ft. 6in. by 19ft., and is panelled in oak and with mosaic floor, on the left is the box-office, and immediately facing the same is the staircase to the grand circle and balcony, while opposite the entrance doors is the stairway to stalls. Leading from the crush room is an antique saloon, 35ft. by 31ft., decorated with genuine antique Flemish carved oak wainscot, a magnificent specimen of eighteenth century wood carving. The walls above are decorated in a self-coloured rich red flock, for the display of stags' heads, old armour, ancient halberds, &c. The bar fittings have been designed in keeping with the period, and the old oak furniture is a feature of the equipment of the room. A quaint fireplace is at one end of this chamber and a bow window with leaded casements at the other. An attempt has been made to give this room a mediaeval effect. The general equipment also presents many interesting specimens of old porters, brasses, &c. The artistic furnishing and drapery have been supplied by Messrs Wolfe and Hollander, of Tottenham-court-road. Returning to the crush room, a short but broad staircase leads to the orchestra and pit stalls - thirteen rows in all - and there is an emergency exit from the opposite side leading into Stafford-street and a subway or lounge under the orchestra giving access to the saloons. There are the usual stage boxes. Ascending the stairs to the grand circle level, one reaches first the foyer (32ft. by 20ft. 6in.), having at the High-street end an open balcony with French casements, between which is a fountain. The foyer in treated in modem Renaissance style, and is columniated on two sides. There are ample retiring-rooms leading from it, and it is furnished in the Sheraton style; it is intended mainly for the use of ladies and for the service of tea and coffee, and no smoking will be allowed here. At the staircase end is a lofty saloon, of the same dimensions as the antique saloon below; the dado and counter front are of luminous vitreous mosaic, giving a charming mother-o'-pearl effect. The walls are covered with rich brocaded paper, and a modelled frieze and ceiling complete the scheme. The furnishing here is also of the Sheraton type. The grand circle tier consists of eight rows of seats with ample gangway or lounge, the latter arcaded with ornamental loggias at each angle, wherein are the fire hydrants and exhaust ventilating fans. There are four roomy private boxes, and two communication stairs to the stalls. The amphitheatre and gallery are approached from Stafford-street, and consist in all of nine rows, with two large private boxes. There is a spacious saloon, 26ft. by 21ft., with open balcony for use in the summer months. The pit is approached by a flight of seven steps down from High-street, and consists of seven rows of upholstered seats with backs. There is on the east side a commodious saloon decorated in the Japanese style, and with retiring rooms therefrom. It has been the desire of the architect, Mr Ernest Runtz, in designing the auditorium to avoid all garishness. He has endeavoured to give refinement to the decoration, and to convey also an idea of comfort and rest to the eye. The scheme of colour ranges from deep blue to neutral green, with old rose draperies and upholstery. The box and circle fronts are in ivory and gold, and are modelled in low relief. The mural decoration consists of a wall paper, especially designed by Mr Argent C. Breden, having the "Crown" intertwined with a flowing design. The stage boxes being of marble, and the superstructure is of turned and modelled pilasters, with detached colonettes in the rococo style, carrying a deep coffered arch. The "Imperial Crown suggested the decorative treatment on the auditorium ceiling. The four panels symbolise the colonies (India, Africa, Australia, and Canada); over each shine the rays of the sun which never sets on the Queen's dominions and Cupids hold crowns over each colony. On the panels India is represented by a potter and his wife in the foreground, and an elephant in the back ground. Africa is represented by an Egyptian preparing to cross the desert. Australia by a gold-digger, With native attendant and kangaroo, Canada is represented by moose-hunting. The remaining panels represent "Art," "Music" (a woman with lyre and birds), "Poetry" (a woman with scroll, books, and a star of inspiration), and "Drama," (a woman with dagger and poison-cup). The proscenium is of marble and modelled plaster, having over it a painted frieze, 37ft. in length, representing "Peaceful Britannia," with Scotland and Ireland on either side, indicative of a "United Kingdom," and surrounded by "Abundance, Flora, Music, Poetry," on the one side, and "Literature, Art, Science, and Botany," on the other. The paintings have been done by Mr Charles Buchel, silver medallist of the Royal Academy, 1897. The dimensions of the auditorium are: width, 62ft.; depth, 58ft. The stage is 40ft. deep and 38ft. across. The grid is 62ft. above the stage level, and the mechanical appliances are thoroughly up to date. There is a paint-room (top-lighted), with wells, &.c., below the floor, 26ft. deep, two full-sized paint-frames and a smaller one, and an artistes' room. This is cut off from the stage by a fire-proof curtain On the prompt side is a property-room, 25ft. by 12ft., similarly isolated, and on the O.P. side is a comfortable green-room. The stage entrance is on the prompt side, and leads to eight large dressing-rooms; on the 0. P. side are six dressing-rooms, heated by hot water, and made extremely comfortable. The stage-manager has a room to himself, and the carpenters and orchestra are seperately accommodated. The exterior of the building is designed in Spanish Renaissance. The material used is terra-cotta and red brick. There are two exits to every part of the house, and twelve exits in all throughout the theatre. All the staircases and tiers are of fireproof material, and a complete system of hydrants is installed. The electric light is adopted throughout the house, and ventilation is secured by electric exhaust fans. For warming the theatre there is an adequate low-pressure system with radiators. Mr Ernest Runtz and Messrs Colls and Son, the contractors, are surely to be congratulated on the successful result of their labours.' Above text in quotes from the ERA, 29th of October 1898 - Courtesy BF. The Crown Theatre was later renamed the Peckham Hippodrome, and from 1912 it was converted for use as a Cinema and renamed the Hippodrome Picture Palace.
Above - A Drawing of the Hippodrome Theatre, High Street, Peckham - From 'The Builder.' Sadly this beautiful Theatre was demolished completely in the 1932, only 32 years after it was built, to make way for the building of a new Cinema, called the Gaumont. The Gaumont Cinema itself closed in 1961 and the building was then converted for use as a Bingo Hall. Bingo ran for many years until even that ceased to be commercially viable and the building was then demolished to make way for a block of flats named Gaumont House which is still standing today, (see photograph below.)
Above - Gaumont House, Peckham High Street in July 2008, which was built on the site of the former Gaumont Cinema, and previously the Crown Theatre, the Peckham Hippodrome, and the Hippodrome Picture Palace - Photo M.L If you have any more images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact me here... |
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