I am basically interested in cinemas and theatres in the Black Country and have revived an intention of publishing a two part book on the subject in 2011 and welcome interaction with others who might share this interest. Meanwhile it is great to come across an informative site like this and to read what others know as there is so much "interconnecting" in this subject.

Just a small observation on the site's description of Scarborough's Futurist Theatre. The two boxes, one either side of the proscenium, which are said to have been created in 1968 and from which there is no view of the stage, are not boxes at all and have no public access. Although they do have the appearance of boxes, here is why they were created. Originally, the archways high on either side of the proscenium were accessed behind the proscenium by vertical steel ladders from stage level and dancers/showgirls would emerge from them before descending "semi-spiral" ornate steel stairways to stage level. The stairways were a feature of the "super cinema" as built and were certainly there later than 1968. The treads of the stairs were latterly glass, each one lit from below, and girls in elaborate costumes descending slowly (and doubtless very carefully!) to stage level added considerable spectacle to the shows. They were always used during the summer season spectaculars of the '50s, '60s and early seventies - notably by the Television Toppers who appeared there in several versions of "The Black and White Minstrel Show". When season-long summer shows became confined to history and the Futurist instead hosted one night stands, concerts and short-run "shows" with local or club performers and occasional touring shows for short runs, the concept of West End style productions (often with scenery and equipment previously seen at the London Palladium for example) was finished and this was when the stairways were considered obsolete. Their removal left the two archways disconnected from the stage and looking rather odd so each were given a semi-circular moulding which matched that of the balcony front to give them the appearance of boxes in an attempt to transform them into a small architectural feature but boxes they are not. Mock boxes perhaps?

Fascinating to see so many photographs of the Opera House. During the '50s and 60's when the lease was held by York Citizens Theatre Trust and two or three plays were presented in rotation for the summer season by York Theatre Royal's repertory company, it was widely felt that little money was spent on the Scarborough theatre with most of the income going into the York theatre's coffers. When York Theatre Royal was refurbished and a new foyer wing built in 1967, the still fairly new house curtain was taken to Scarborough and hung in the Opera House and this is the curtain (flame coloured velour with gold and silver appliqued satin - including the rose of York) we see in some of the Opera House views, towards the theatre's end. The previous house curtain at the Opera House was a less impressive, maroon one and over in York, the 1967 auditorium scheme was in numerous shades of green, five of which were incorporated into the "new" house curtain there - since followed by at least three different sets of "tabs".

Great Site. I just discovered that my Great Grandfather - Frank Westcott was leader of the Hoppodrome Orchestra, Newcastle-on-Tyne from 1910-1923. It was lovely to be able to see a photo of the building on your site and also useful to see the photo as it is today.

Regards
Susan

Wolverhampton Theatres are definitely on the list and will be added in due course. Matthew Lloyd.

Wonderful site, however, I would like to see more information on Wolverhampton Theatre's

1 The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton (Still a working theatre and Grade II listed building) C J Phipps Architect
2 Wolverhampton Hippodrome - Queen Square (originally the Empire Palace)destroyed by fire February 1956 and subsequently demolished.
3 Theatre Royal (aka Clifton) - Bilston Street - Demolished 1981
4 Bilston Theatre Royal (Not to be confused with the Theatre Royal in Bilston Street) Demolished 1961

Hello
In the mid 80s it was also used as a night club although I believe that it had a bad rep with trouble makers. Also, it is on Ashton Old Road, Higher Openshaw, not Old Ashton Road, Upper Openshaw.
Thanks for the research into its history, I used to walk past this building quite often.

Regards
Lun

How heartwarming to read about the Empress Hall. I went in 1955 to see the Red Army choir but I had forgotten the name of the Hall until I read a review in a 1955 'Punch'. I am grateful to you for your work on this site.

Thank you so much for this site-as a keen theatregoer I look at it regularly.

Just a piece of news that you might be aware of - the Regal cinema Kingston (Gala Bingo) - Grade II listed, is now closed and boarded up.

what a fantatic site, and its been so well thought out and put together.. colours and type are wonderful too... was looking at all the old threatres of Glasgow and noticed the Olympia, it said still in use as Bingo.. but of course that was some years past now... its not been taken over by the Clydegateway in their regeneration project for Bridgeton I have photos if you d like them of the Cross and Umberella being dug up last year and the old toilets filled in as well as Caithness stone being put down as paving.. looking good now with the Olympia in most of the shots..

Thank you for this great website
My 4XGrt Grandfather Samuel EDWARDS b 1740 Wine Merchant and Proctor in Doctors Commons mentioned in his Will his Property in Fountain Court and Beaufort Buildings.
He died in 1807 at 8 Beaufort Buildings

From Helen in OZ

My grandfather, Gaetan Bournon, managed The Hippodrome in the late 1920s. I don't know what - if any - information might be available.

I was so suprised to see how many Theatres there had been in Kidderminster. I worked backstage at The Playhouse 1966,7,8 and in fact was working on that last night. It was so sad to loose this Theatre although Kidderminster people never supported it very well. The Operatics could fill it, which I was in at this time. John Citron was a very interesting manager for the last years; he signed up a young ladf to fill in as stage manmager when we lost one, it was his start in theatre, Derek Thompson. I actually worked on the Babes in the Wood Panto you have put the programme of on the website. There is a very comprhensive souvenier programme for 1968 tracing all the plays. It would be nice to mention the very characterful Bill Morris who was Kenneth Roses Stagemanager from 1946 and his son who did the lighting.
I used to live opposite The Grand Cinema in Mill Street and saw Dumbo as probably my first ever visit to the cinema ( it was rather dirty in those days, there was an even dirtier cinema in the Horsefair, Kidderminster known as the flea pit. I never actually visited it. My mother was in Floradora but a later amateur version and my father was a stalwart of the Amateur Operatics from 1930 onwards. I have just planted a tree in Brintons park in their memeory. Unfortunately I do not live in Kidderminster anymore. If you want any details of The Playhouse please ask. My sister worked backstage when John Osborne was writing Look back in Anger there.

Just like to say thanks Matthew for putting archive photos of the Windmill from Maurice Poole who has been a great help with his knowledge of the Windmill.

Many thanks,
Gary Tearney

Thank you for spending the time to add this information to your website. It is sad that this came about from a disaster but good that it has probably saved countless lives. This is probably one of those inventions that is taken for granted like countless others. This is an inspiration.
Matthew Williams

My wife died in 2008, she left several diaries one entry in 1952 which read: January 7th Monday "Nana had just got there when arrived at 7.15. Show started at 8 o'clock . . .Wonderful costumes %26 skating very clever. Finished 1045 approx . . "
I also found the seating tickets for 7th January 1952 Empress Hall Block J row K 26/28. House price per seat 8/6 including tax!
Without your web site I would not have known it was 'Ranch in the Rockies' that that impressed her that evening. Thankyou. David

i am looking for 2 flyers from the pier theatre bournemouth they are no sex please were british 1973 and dont dress for dinner 1995 marti caine colour e mails most acceptable please reply to kevintheatre@live.co.uk thank you

I love your site. I have always enjoyed music hall songs and your site is so informative ,easy to use and good to look at!
I particularly appreciated the pictures of the inside of the old Pavilion theatre in Liverpool, burnt down in 1986....I have an aunt of 84 who remembers good times in this theatre! Keep uo the good work!

I must say I love your site and the amount of work you must have put into it. My interest in the Empire is that I had two stints of working there - the first one was when "Ben Hur" was on and as you say on the site it closed the old Empire and then I went back and worked there when "Doctor Zhivago" was there.

I now live near Perth in Western Australia and I came here because I met an Australian girl who sponsered me here under the old ten pound plan in 1968. I have been happily married to my husband Geoff for nearly 40 years and I thank the Empire and Connie (the Aussie girl) for that.

A wee story for you. Albert Sidi the manager who was there both times I was working there should have been a dipolmat - he was the most charming man and was great at smoothing ruffled feathers.
I had a situation one night during "Ben Hur" when I had three couples who had tickets for the same seats (it was in row S I can remember that) Well they were wild and he calmed them down and had them eating out of his hand in no time - it was amazing to watch. He had the use of the Ritz and they all went to see "Gigi" instead of "Ben Hur" that night!! They were given tickets for "Ben Hur" at a later date. The reason for the triple booking was the tickets were issued from Keith Prowse. I am sure that these agents are greatful for the computer bookings these days. I still have my "Ben Hur" programme signed by the staff of the day.I also have two "Doctor Zhivago" programmes - one for the premier and the nornmal one.

Keep up the great work.

Cheers

Philomena Trevor-Hunt,

I was brought up in Coventry between ages 2 and 16 and have very many memories of the Hippodrome. My father regularly played Canasta with Harry Bannerman, the stage manager, and often with the stars who appeared there. Harry made sure we got excellent seats for Pantos, summer shows and variety and I acquired. many autographs and artifacts including one of Ted Ray's stage violins!
Its a long, long time since I left Coventry but I have many happy memories of those Renaissance years leading to the consecration of the utterly wonderful Cathedral. What a vibrant artistic city it was in those days.
Only today have I learned that the Hippodrome has been demolished. How could that possibly be allowed to happen? It was a fine art deco building for God's sake. What philistines were responsible for such sacrilege??
I just can't believe it!, I was actually planning to visit it again.
Please tell me that there is a full archive of Hippo material and artifacts somewhere, and if so, where?