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Lyric

1553

Red brick, three-bay façade with gauged brick and terra cotta crowning balustrade. Central entrance with flanking shops; residential flat over. Built in 1910 as a music hall, complete with fly tower (removed during the last war). Seating on one level only but balconies on three sides for technical staff. Open roof trusses and wooden panelled ceiling. Elaborate proscenium arch with Corinthian pilasters and a broken pediment over the flattened arch in the manner of the Dunfermline Opera House. The top part of the arch and the wooden ceiling are now hidden, but undamaged, by a false ceiling dating from the mid 1960s. The floor is now flat; a sprung dance floor was installed c.1920 but rostra are laid to form a rake for stage productions.

The Lyric had many ups and downs (including prosperity as a dance hall, closure, use as a Salvation Army citadel) until 1962 when it was purchased by the local council. Since then many improvements have been made. In 1980 the Milner Lounge was added, used as a bar, meeting room and dressing room! It is now in need of further updating. Proposed improvements include new extended stage with tower, restoration of original ceiling and proscenium arch, disabled access and facilities, new dressing rooms, etc. It is currently used for professional and amateur productions.

Built / Converted
1910
Dates of use
Current state
Extant
Current use
Theatre
Address
-
Website-
Further details
Other names
Picturedrome
Events
  • Owner/Management:
  • 1910 Design/Construction:
    Unknown
    - Architect
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    300
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    300
Listings
  • Listing
    Not listed
Stage type
Proscenium flat
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 6m Width: 12.8m
Proscenium width: 7.25m
Height to grid: 4.9m
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: None