Regent (Great Yarmouth)

• Theatre ID
  1025
• Built / Converted
  1914
• Dates of use
  • 1914 - 1982
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Bingo
• Address
  85-87 Regent Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England

Details

Amongst the surprising theatre riches of Great Yarmouth, the Regent is worthy of special attention. This is an unusually well-preserved cinéariety of 1914. Free classical façe with a giant order of Ionic pilasters above ground floor. Semi-circular central entrance arch rising above a projecting canopy into the first floor level. In the centre bay the pilasters are replaced by giant Ionic columns carried on console brackets. They originally supported an entablature, now absent. Relief frieze below parapet. The interiors have most of their fine original plasterwork which, in the rectangular auditorium is concealed at one end only by a modern false proscenium. There are boldly projecting, bow-fronted boxes, four on either side, each carried on a single, slender iron column. Between the boxes, at balcony level, are free-standing columns carrying a five-bay arcade of elliptical arches. The balcony and box fronts have elaborate full relief ornament. The upper walls are ornamented with consoles over the columns, scrolly arch keys and treillage panels and, above this, a frieze with garlanded oiel-de-boeuf motifs, then a cove with rococo mouldings and a flat ceiling with shallow-domed centre. Alterations for bingo have been made sensitively, without compromising the possibility of future theatre use. There is sufficient space at the rear of the site to permit construction of an enlarged stage house.

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• Other names
  Regent Cine Theatre
• Events
  • 1914 - 1982 Use:
  • 1914 Design/Construction:
    • Francis Burdett Ward - Architect
  • 1982 Alteration: converted to bingo
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1990 - 1996 Alteration: Array further alterations
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1914 Design/Construction:
    • Crotch & Son - Consultant: Façade Frieze
  • 1929 Owner/Management: Union (EMI, etc)
  • 1984 Owner/Management: Private operator
  • 1989 Owner/Management: Top Rank
• Capacities
  • Later: 1951: 1650
• Listings
  • Grade II - 1982