Empire (Consett)

• Theatre ID
  1542
• Built / Converted
  1912
• Dates of use
  • 1913: Until when not known. 1920s; c.1980 continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (Theatre and cinema)
• Address
  Front Street, Consett, Durham, DH8 5AB, England

Details

The original design drawings (displayed on site) show a differently composed and more decorative façe than that now seen. They also show an auditorium with no balcony but with a raked stage for variety acts. A balcony was added in 1920. The Empire was probably a cine-variety from about 1912 to 1920 and thereafter dedicated cinema. It is now owned by the local authority and again has mixed use as a cinema and theatre, having reopened in 2003 after refurbishment and improvements. The major building change was the creation of a single-storey extension on the front of the theatre over the wide pavement. This provides a roomy bar and exhibition space with full disabled access and facilities. The entire theatre has been refurbished and re-roofed and the legends EMPIRE THEATRE on the façe and EMPIRE PALACE on the rear elevation have been restored. As now seen, the theatre has a modest thinly classical pedimented façe, in front of which the fully glazed foyer extension has pedestalled doric columns supporting a broad, shallow-arched pediment. The auditorium is intimate with one balcony; a slightly raked stage with 10 hemp sets; two dressing rooms.

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• Other names
  Empire Palace
• Events
  • 1913 Use: Until when not known. 1920s; c.1980 continuing
  • 1912 - 1913 Design/Construction: Array
    • Joseph W Wardle - Architect
  • 1920 Alteration: new circle installed
    • Howard Hill - Architect
  • 1929 Alteration: operating box installed
    • Murray & Hurd - Architect
  • 1966 Alteration: converted for cinema and bingo
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 2003 Alteration: total refurbishment and improved front of house facilities
    • Cullen & Nightingale - Architect
  • Owner/Management: Consett Theatres Ltd, owners
  • 1920 Owner/Management: Consett Electric Theatres, owners
  • 1936 Owner/Management: Consett Cinemas, owners
• Capacities
  • Original: 878
  • Later: 1914: 928 1921: 1207 1930: 1205 1951: 1100 1980: 589
  • Current: 535
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium slight rake
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 6m
  • Proscenium width: 11.28m
  • Height to grid: 6.1m