Playhouse (Alnwick)

• Theatre ID
  1426
• Built / Converted
  1990
• Dates of use
  • 1990: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Arts Centre
• Address
  Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1PQ, England

Details

Built in 1926 as a 1000 seat cinema which could be converted to a theatre. Closed in the late 1970s and bought by Northumberland Theatre Company who used it for rehearsals and as administrative offices for their touring productions. Now known as NTC Touring Theatre Company and still based in the theatre. In 1983, a separate Alnwick District Playhouse Trust set about converting the derelict balcony. Opened as the New Playhouse Theatre in December 1990. A lift was installed and further improvements made in 1996, colonising adjoining frontage sites. Presents amateur and professional drama, music, dance and films. Stone built, full height foyer and exhibition space in 1920s idiom. Old auditorium subdivided and boxes removed. Studio theatre occupies former stalls area. Main 262 seat auditorium in former circle. End stage; plaster and vaulted ceiling continuous over auditorium and stage. No flying.

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• Events
  • 1990 Use: continuing
  • 1926 Design/Construction:
    • R Carse & Son (Amble) - Architect
  • 1990 Alteration: Lake & Rees (John Bush), converted to arts centre with performance spaces
    • Bush - Architect
  • 1996 Alteration: new foyer and alterations to provide full access for disabled
    • Dolphin Design (Bruce Murray) - Architect
  • 1929 - 1934 Owner/Management: F A Wilcox, owner
  • 1938 Owner/Management: L S Allen, owner
  • 1939 Owner/Management: T Wilcox, owner
  • 1956 Owner/Management: Alnwick Playhouse Ltd, owner
  • 1989 Owner/Management: Alnwick District Playhouse Trust, leaseholders; NTC Theatre Co, owners
• Capacities
  • Original: 1000
  • Later: 1939: 1083 1956: 1078
  • Current: 262; Studio
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Open end
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: 1951 d: 5.48m (18ft) 2001 d: 7.31m (24ft) w: 10.66m (35ft)
  • Proscenium width: 1951: 6.7m (22ft) Currently no proscenium arch
  • Height to grid: 6.7m (22ft)
  • Orchestra pit: No pit