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Garrick Theatre

1987

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.

Built / Converted
1932
Dates of use
  • 1932 - 1963: as theatre (with films from 1957).
Current state
Extant
Current use
Dark (Bingo closed)
Address
Lord Street & Kingsway, Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1RN, England
Website-
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 - 2021 Owner/Management: Mecca, leaseholder and operator
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    1800
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1948: 1800
    1957: 1500
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    est. 1200
Listings
  • Listing
    II
Stage type
-
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: -
Proscenium width: 50ft
Height to grid: -
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: -