Garrick (Southport)

• Theatre ID
  1987
• Built / Converted
  1932
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Bingo
• Address
  Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, England

Details

Built on the site of the Opera House and said to be George Tonge’s finest design. A massive building in red brick with stone dressings in what was described, loosely, as Italian Renaissance style, but actually a splendid Art Deco invention. Frontages to Lord Street and Kingsway are linked by a curved corner with skyscraper-like ornamental pilasters. Many tall windows with shouldered heads. The Lord Street entrance was originally surmounted by a high canopy with an open colonnade above at first floor which served as a promenade. The now modified foyer had a domed ceiling and niches in Egyptian style. Spectacular Art Deco auditorium has a rounded proscenium with a vast splayed anti-proscenium almost engulfing the four boxes on either side. Curved ceiling follows the contours, previously lit by trough lighting; splayed, panelled walls and, at stalls level, panels with recessed lighting. The ceiling has a decorated centre-piece which surrounded the chandelier. The original colours were yellows and golds with green and black. The exterior is largely unchanged. The interior remains intact, save for modifications for bingo and alterations to the foyer. The stage is about 12m (c.40ft) deep with a 12m proscenium opening. Grid still in situ.

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• Other names
  Essoldo, Lucky 7, Top Rank, Mecca
• Events
  • 1932 Design/Construction:
    • George E Tonge - Architect
  • 1932 Owner/Management: Southport Theatre Company
  • Owner/Management: Later: Garrick Theatre Southport, Ltd
  • 1957 Owner/Management: Essoldo
  • Owner/Management: Ladbrokes
  • 1984 Owner/Management: Top Rank
  • Owner/Management: Later: Mecca
• Capacities
  • Original: 1800
  • Later: 1948: 1800 1957: 1500
  • Current: est. 1200
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed - Recommended for listing in December 1999
• Dimensions
  • Proscenium width: 50ft