In today’s Urbandoned video,
we are documenting an abandoned theatre at night, which we explored in Summer 2020.
Dating back to the early 1900s, the building is a rare example of Art Deco features that were
introduced before WW2. Despite closing in the mid 2000s, the property has avoided attention
with most items and furniture untouched inside, in a time capsule condition.
Join us as we wander through the complex to see what remains.
Last time, we asked the question ‘Would you be interested in a closer
look at different film sets for popular shows, abandoned or not?’
We had many positive replies that simply told us that we should look into more of these
types of site, like Stephanie’s comment here. There are a few we have in mind,
and we will look into recording them for the channel in the future.
This time, with this video being one we have held onto for a long time, we are asking,
‘Do you notice a difference between older content and newer videos we have filmed
recently? Let us know if you have below to possibly feature in our next video.
In the late evening of 2020,
you join us outside this dated building located in England, besides a busy pub.
Constructed just after the crossover into the 20th century, the premises
was designed as a purpose-built theatre. It was significantly renovated before WW2 and
has since survived as a pre-war structure with an abundance of rare Art Deco details.
Nowadays, it isn’t looking as tasteful as it once did.
The front facade has deteriorated with chipping paint and blank signage,
with the rear of the theatre appearing even worse. We had attempted the infiltration twice prior,
once having to deal with the members of the pub next door, but today our luck
would finally change after getting a shout that the building was accessible, if only briefly.
Alistair: All the signs are still up. This is what visitors would have been welcomed by.
Disregarding the faint sounds of cars passing by, we first took in the silence inside the complex.
There was no working power either, making the dark, echoey spaces quite eerie at times.
Alistair: The curtain at the entrance.
Jesus Christ! All the seats are still intact.
This is probably the most untouched theatre we have done.
Theo: Has to be.
It was incredible that beyond the darkness, the auditorium’s 1262 capacity was still achievable
with every chair left behind. The red, white and gold colour scheme was only improved
by many ornate depictions on the walls and ceiling, to emphasise the grandeur of the hall.
Alistair: These are typical in theatres, especially the ones we have explored from this era - these
little details besides the stage. These ones are really nice though and actually quite different.
The interior seems identical to photographs shot during it’s occupancy.
It didn’t last long after the conversion as a theatre initially,
operating as a cinema for more than 40 years until the 1970s. Following a plan
to use it as a bingo hall that didn’t come into fruition, it was relaunched as a theatre a few
years later and would manage to stay true to it’s original purpose until it closed down.
Alistair: They were showing ‘Phantom of the Opera.’
That’s cool! Such a classic. I wonder if there is a theatre that hasn’t shown that at least once.
Alistair: This is the level above the entrance.
The colours are so nice - this is one of my favourite colour schemes I’ve seen in a theatre.
Theo: This is kind of like a foyer with a bar.
Alistair: Yeah, I like the seats. This would have been where the audience would come during
an interval at a performance.
Alistair: It is well and truly trashed in here.
Alistair: More nice doors that is going to take us into the circle bar.
This is really nice! The chandeliers,
little bar stools - I really like this room. So far, this place is pure gold.
Alistair: ‘Drinks in plastic cups may be taken into the theatre during performances.’
‘Please place your drinks orders for the interval at the bar.’ -
and then the same, it’s just repeated. It would have been packed in here
during the interval with the audience coming in to get their food and drink.
Wandering around the theatre’s foyer and various bars, it was impressive to see how many small,
artistic remnants the architects had been able to squeeze into the relatively cramped property.
We were fascinated by the old-fashioned assets
and more so with how they had survived years of dereliction.
Alistair: I assume this would have been the kitchen for the bar.
Yeah, that’s a fridge there where they’d have beer from the sign.
Alistair: Wow!
It’s actually not a massive balcony. I don’t think it’s the same size as the lower floor.
Still, from up here, you can get a better view of the architecture.
The rims of every cove are always really well designed in theatres like this.
Alistair: I can already see something in that projector room. Hopefully, that’s a good sign.
On the balcony, we were presented with the best view of the auditorium, appreciating the
vintage safety curtain, chandeliers and unique details on the circle’s rim and proscenium.
In the late 2000s, the theatre would shut its doors after failing to sign a contract
for it’s management. A performance group even offered to run the structure for free
until a new owner was found, but the council unfortunately refused
explaining that the upkeep of the dated cinema was unaffordable.
Alistair: There’s an awful lot of white mould forming around the seats. I wonder if there is a specific
material used in their making that causes it.
Wow - this is cool! Look at the state of that radiator. It’s massive… In such a large
space with so many people, they must have had trouble keeping everybody warm on a cold night.
Alistair: Again, we have these designs of the landscape. We saw these in the theatre
we did earlier in the year - the one with power. Actually, it had a similar colour scheme to this
one, but that must have been a common theme, maybe the same architect or a similar design style.
Alistair: This is like a miniature projector room, maybe a more modern one.
It’s low in here. Yeah, this is awesome!
Why’s there so many clocks?
Alistair: There’s two old monitors up on that top shelf.
Alistair: Oh wow! There is a projector, and it is old and massive.
Look at the size of those wheels - the amount of film that could go on them.
Jesus Christ! It’s one of those situations where you are like ‘as if this was just left.’
We had never seen such a dated projector in perfect condition. With the cinema’s
occupation lasting until the 1980s, and new technology increasing competition for the best
viewing quality for their customers, we would imagine that this machine is over 50 years old.
Alistair: More wheels of varying sizes
and a dartboard. I don’t know why that’s here. It’s strange though - it’s made out of-
actually, I think it’s just a normal dartboard but it’s deteriorating.
Alistair: This is backstage. These are the levers for the ropes that would lift the curtains.
Theo: So many levers. It’s nice to see everything intact.
Alistair: There’s like five different curtains they had.
Theo: Yeah.
Alistair: Probably would have the sets back here ready to go on stage.
Alistair: What are they? They are little masks from that one
play - I can’t remember what it’s called. This is going to be backstage.
Theo: It’s kind of creepy.
Alistair: Yeah, these are dressing rooms.
Not the most ornate, but this is what the actors had to deal with.
We had moved towards the opposite side from the projection suite. Here, a more modern
development contained countless dressing rooms for actors and talent who performed in the theatre.
Alistair: Just corridors and corridors of dressing rooms.
What do we have here? These are CCTV monitors. Looks like a recreational room for staff.
There’s quite a lot of stuff in here. It’s like a kitchen with a dartboard on the wall.
Alistair: I’ve noticed that there is mirrors everywhere
for the actors to check out their outfits, make sure everything’s all good,
maybe practise their lines as well. This corridor is really similar to the other one
with these masks. I wonder if these were actually used during performances and then hung up.
Yeah, it’s more of the same, though. Dressing room after dressing room - must have been huge casts.
After completing the exploration of the theatre and with it getting especially late,
we decided to make our leave. It had been a real pleasure documenting the interior
of the building that had thwarted us twice in the past, making the visit much more sweeter.
As for the complex, a year onward after it’s closure,
demolition was imminent unless new buyers came forward. However, thankfully,
the premises was soon recognised and made Grade II listed, saving it from being torn down.
False announcements have occurred over the last few years stating that it would be opening again
soon, ran by a charitable trust. As of now, it still remains abandoned, a perfect timeline of
a historic building that’s construction is too outdated to be cost-efficient today.
Here are some of our photographs captured at the abandoned theatre.
If you like the look of them, check out our Instagram page,
where we share images from our explores months before they are seen on YouTube.
Thanks for watching! Next time, we are delving into our fresh folder
of abandoned Ireland from our recent trip. We can’t wait to show you some
newer content and it is definitely one of our best! See you next time!