Support the Trust's Spot Listing of Nelson Palace Theatre

2nd August 2009

You can help us to prevent the demolition of Nelson Theatre by writing a letter of support to ApplicationsNorth@english-heritage.org.uk EH is considering our urgent application on Monday 3 August.

The theatre has a beautiful interior and a full fly tower – the building is in very good condition with a new roof, repointed and the interior perfectly preserved by a private bingo operator who has now sold it to the local council so that it can be demolished for a multi-storey car park.

The “Curtains!!! of A New Life For Old Theatres” (entry written by Christopher Brereton of English Heritage) stated that:

“Auditorium approximately 1,400 with two deep, slightly-curved balconies, the fronts of which are both divided into panels decorated by cartouches. The upper balcony directly abuts the side walls, with the decorative treatment of the front continued along the walls as panels. The first balcony has short slips which run into the principal visual feature of the auditorium – a single box on each side between giant Ionic columns supporting a broken segmental pediment. Rectangular proscenium (32ft.) with an enriched frame. Flat ceiling with a circular central panel. Although the level of the stalls floor has been altered and the stage has a false ceiling, the theatre could be relatively easily restored to use.”