Opera House (Workington)

• Theatre ID
  2016
• Built / Converted
  1888
• Dates of use
  • 1888: Until when not known.
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  disused (bingo relocated September 2004)
• Address
  Pow Street, Workington, Cumbria, CA14, England

Details

Originally opened as the Queen's Jubilee Hall & Opera House - a small theatre with two balconies. Gutted by fire in 1927 and rebuilt completely as a cinéheatre except for part of the structural walls on one side. The narrow street front has been rebuilt in aluminium and glass. Fine, wide auditorium with one balcony intact from 1927 rebuild. Ornamental ceiling with sunburst and mask. Stage has false ceiling. Understage used as bar with entry through orchestra pit and band doors. Modernised foyer now sold/let as retail outlet with no access to theatre. Apart from the ceiling and a frieze running the full width of the proscenium wall there is little in the way of plaster decoration. The theatre has good sightlines and a large stage, and is situated centrally in the town centre, so with careful (and minimal) adaptation the building could function well as amateur theatre or community facility. Planning application received in March 2010 to demolish the Opera House and three adjoining retail units.

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• Other names
  Queen's Jubilee Hall
• Events
  • 1888 Use: Until when not known.
  • 1888 Design/Construction:
    • T L Banks & Townsend - Architect
  • 1897 - 0 Alteration: reconstructed after explosion (architect unknown).
  • 1927 - 0 Alteration: reconstructed after fire (architect unknown).
  • 1963 - 0 Alteration: façade rebuilt (architect unknown).
• Capacities
  • Original: 1330
  • Later: 1950: 1219
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 9.14m
  • Proscenium width: 11m
  • Height to grid: 14m
  • Orchestra pit: Original for 16