Garrick Theatre (Southport)

• Theatre ID
  1987
• Built / Converted
  1932
• Dates of use
  • 1932 - 1963: as theatre (with films from 1957).
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Bingo
• Address
  Garrick Parade, Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1RP, England

Details

Built on the site of Frank Matcham's 1891 Opera House, the Garrick Theatre opened in December 1932, said to be local architect George Tonge's finest design. A massive building in brown brick with Portland stone dressings in Art Deco style, originally flood-lit to enhance its magnificence. The frontages to Lord Street and Kingsway were linked by a curved corner with the name GARRICK at attic level. The Lord Street entrance is divided by columns and was surmounted by a high canopy. A canopy at a lower level surrounded the remaining ground floor, below which there were shops as well as exits. There was an open colonnade on the Lord Street elevation at first floor which served as a promenade. The now modified foyer had a domed ceiling and niches in Egyptian style. The 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, giving the effect of a golden glow. The interior remains intact, save for modification for bingo, and alterations to foyer. The exterior is largely unchanged. The stage house is said to be intact.

Hide all images

See all images

Hide further details

• Other names
  Essoldo, Lucky 7 Bingo, Top Rank, Mecca Bingo
• Events
  • 1932 Design/Construction:
    • George E Tonge - Architect
  • 1932 Owner/Management: Southport Theatre Company (later Garrick Theatre Southport Ltd).
  • 1932 - 1963 Use: as theatre (with films from 1957).
  • 1957 Owner/Management: Essoldo
  • 1957 Alteration: closed 19 January for installation of projection suite for cinema.
  • 1973 Owner/Management: Ladbroke Group, owners
  • 1984 Owner/Management: Top Rank
  • 1999 Owner/Management: Mecca
• Capacities
  • Original: 1800
  • Later: 1948: 1800 1957: 1500
  • Current: est. 1200
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Dimensions
  • Proscenium width: 50ft