Gaumont Palace (Taunton)

• Theatre ID
  1270
• Built / Converted
  1932
• Dates of use
  • 1932 - 1981
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Bingo
• Address
  Corporation Street, Castle Way and Tower Street, Taunton, Somerset, England

Details

A large brick building in Art Deco style; three entrance doors under a canopy, three first floor windows to a balcony, centrally arranged within a picture-frame-like façe, the whole flanked by lower, flanking quadrant wings, each with an entrance door. Fly tower at rear. The main entrance to the theatre is in Corporation Street. Staircases at each end give access to small circle foyers which originally led to the cafe. The decorative treatment of the coffered ceiling and marble enrichments, together with the warm-toned Ruboleum floor, combine to create a pleasing atmosphere. The auditorium has a spacious circle, the rear of which extends over the entrance hall. The ceiling is centred on an impressive shell-like formation, with lighting concealed. There is a perimeter band. The massive proscenium arch, emphasised by a ribbed lighting cove on which changes of colour could originally be made from concealed cornices is striking. On the flank splayed walls are two great flower-like features, which run almost from floor to ceiling. The stage is 6.4m (21ft) deep and 22.5m (74ft) wide and would need to be improved to make it suitable for medium-scale tours. Eleven dressing rooms. Well decorated and maintained for its present bingo use.

---

Hide further details

• Other names
  Odeon
• Events
  • 1932 - 1981 Use:
  • 1932 Design/Construction:
    • W T Benslyn - Architect
  • 1981 Alteration: converted to bingo and refurbished
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1932 Design/Construction:
    • Messrs Archibald D Dawnay & Sons Ltd - Consultant: Construction Engineering
    • Mr F H Pride - Consultant: Troughing, Stage Equipment
    • Messrs W W Turner - Consultant: Seating
    • British Acoustic Films Ltd - Consultant: Sound Installation
    • Bryan’s Adamanta Ltd - Consultant: Fibrous Plaster, Colour Decorations & Plaster
    • F Barnes Esq - Consultant: Decorative Panels
    • Newbury A Trent - Consultant: Sculpture
    • Messrs W H Fralet & Son Ltd - Consultant: Marble
    • Messrs Lewis Ltd - Consultant: Ruboleum Floors & Dados
    • Messrs Carter & Co - Consultant: Wall Tiling
    • Venezian Flooring Co - Consultant: Terazzo Work
  • 1932 - 0 Owner/Management: Gaumont British Picture Corporation Ltd, continuing as Odeon
  • 1981 Owner/Management: Rank Leisure Services, later Top Rank
• Capacities
  • Original: 1490
  • Later: 1978: 1272
• Listings
  • Grade II - Listed 1995
• Stage type
  • Pros flat
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: 1932 Depth: 21ft Width: 74ft
  • Proscenium width: 1978: 15.2m
  • Height to grid: 1978: 15.2m
  • Orchestra pit: Original 20