The Theatres Trust

Alhambra (Penrith)

  • Theatre ID
    2067
  • Built / Converted
    1906
  • Current state
    Extant
  • Current use
    Cinema (Cinema and bingo)
  • Address
    Middlegate, Penrith, Cumbria, England

Details

Stone gabled façe matching adjoining properties. A simple hall with little pretension. The cinema closed in February 1971 (in favour of the Regent) for conversion to bingo. The circle conversion to cinema took place in March 1984 when the Regent closed. There is a shallow balcony of 4-5 rows with slips returned to proscenium. False proscenium hides the original above stalls including the lay light. Rear stalls were originally stepped up behind balcony front division with own entrance. Foyer is not original (from 1930s) but the original plasterwork exists approx. 1.8m (c.6ft) above. The exterior condition is good. The interior is fair. A second cinema screen is to be added.


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  • Other names
    Lonsdale Cinemas & Opera Bingo
  • Events
    • 1906 Design/Construction:
      • Unknown - Architect
    • 1984 Alteration: converted to cinema in circle/bingo stalls
      • Unknown - Architect
    • 1906 - 1971 Owner/Management: Alhambra Theatre and Picture House Ltd (Graves were majority shareholders by 1940s)
    • 1974 Owner/Management: continuing Graves (Cumberland) Ltd
  • Capacities
    • Later: 1948: 800
  • Listings
    • Grade Not listed
  • Stage type
    • Proscenium
  • Dimensions
    • Stage dimensions: Depth: 5.2m Width: 14m
    • Proscenium width: 9.83m

Of the period

Streetscape showing the site previously occupied by The Euston Music Hall, London, 1988
Euston Theatre Of Varieties
London

Have you seen?

Box at the former Hippodrome, Brighton, 1988
Hippodrome (Brighton)
Brighton

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