Empire (Smethwick)

• Theatre ID
  1199
• Built / Converted
  1910
• Dates of use
  • 1910 - 1923
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Religious centre (temple)
• Address
  St Paul’s Road/St Albans Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, England

Details

Façe, brick and stone, now all painted. Symmetrical in five unequal bays, the centre and outer bays framed by rusticated piers on the ground floor, rising to simplified Ionic pilasters on the second floor, above which a sheer attic is crowned on the outer bays by segmental pediments and on the centre bay by a lower, steeply-raked pediment. Two arched doorways at centre, approached by steps. The plan is rhomboidal rather than rectangular. In the 1930s the auditorium was completely remodelled and the gallery was probably removed at this time, leaving a single balcony. The stage house has been completely absorbed into the rest of the building which is used as a temple.

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• Events
  • 1910 - 1923 Use:
  • 1910 Design/Construction:
    • G Bowden & Son (Smethwick) - Architect
  • 1919 Alteration: stage enlarged; dressing rooms extended
    • G Bowden - Architect
  • 1910 Design/Construction:
    • Mallin & Co - Consultant: Fibrous Plaster
  • 1910 Owner/Management: Smethwick Empire Ltd; B Kennedy, managing director, lessee and manager
  • 1918 Owner/Management: Black & Hicks Ltd, proprietor; A A Hicks, managing director and proprietor
  • 1922 Owner/Management: Edward Hewitson, lessee; Henry Varney, manager
  • 1924 Owner/Management: Alan Hewitson, manager
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Rake
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 28ft Width: 54ft 3in
  • Proscenium width: 31ft 6in
  • Height to grid: 45ft 6in