Empire (Burnley)

• Theatre ID
  2012
• Built / Converted
  1894
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  disused (last used for bingo)
• Address
  St James Street, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 1NL, England

Details

When bingo moved out of this theatre in 1995 there were fears that it would be vulnerable to neglect and vandalism. The disused upper level already shows signs of fairly extensive water penetration. The more immediate risk seemed, however, to be that it would be sold for some highly profitable non-theatre activity, removing a splendid building from any prospect of a return to its designed use. There was much local pressure for the opportunity for reopening to be grasped and the local authority and The Theatres Trust contributed to the cost of a feasibility study. Narrow, altered façe. The auditorium is unelaborate but pleasing. As reconstructed by Crewe in 1911, it has two slightly-curved wide and deep balconies, terminating in superimposed stage boxes framed between Corinthian columns. Segmentally-arched proscenium, now with a false ceiling inserted half-way over stage. Flat, panelled ceiling with circular centre panel. Restrained plasterwork on balcony and box fronts. Three boxes and the upper balcony have been partitioned off, but could easily be reopened. The theatre could be readily restored to use, but the narrow stage would need to be extended back over a narrow stream at the rear. Front of house would need improvement. Not a cheap return to use, but the possibilities could be excellent for a town with no large theatre, serving a quite extensive area. It would complement Burnley Mechanics (1986) perfectly, to the benefit of both.

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• Other names
  Empire Music Hall, Empire Theatre of Varieties, New Empire, Gala Bingo
• Events
  • 1894 Design/Construction:
    • G B Rawcliffe - Architect
  • 1911 Alteration: auditorium reconstructed
    • Bertie Crewe - Architect
  • 1938 Alteration: converted to cinema
    • ?Lewis & Co of Liverpool - Architect
  • 1894 Owner/Management: W C Horner of the Victoria Opera House, Burnley
• Capacities
  • Original: 1935
  • Later: 1912: 2100 1945: 1808
  • Current: est.1200
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Dimensions
  • Building dimensions: 1894: 97ft x 49ft 6in
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 8m (26ft) at centre Width: 65ft
  • Proscenium width: 1894: 26ft 8in 1911: c.11.5m (c.38ft)
  • Height to grid: est. 19.8m (50ft)
• Unreliable anecdotes
  The figures given in 1912 Stage Guide relate to the building as it existed prior to the 1911 rebuild