Theatre Royal (Blackpool)

• Theatre ID
  2114
• Built / Converted
  1868
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Licensed premises (Public house)
• Address
  Talbot Square, Blackpool, Lancashire, England

Details

The building opened in 1868 as the Arcade and Assembly Rooms, said to be ‘magnificent’. It contained a basement arcade of elegant shops, refreshments and a billiard-rooms, together with a spacious hall with a gallery on three sides, and a stage for theatricals and entertainments. Becoming the Theatre Royal, the plays were of the highest quality, and at one point, there was a stock company. It was one of the first places in Blackpool to show animated pictures, and by 1907 it became the Tivoli Electric Theatre. Exterior basically intact on a triangular site at the junction of two streets. Low, octagonal tower on corner site elevations subdivided by piers, framing recessed panels and crowned by a modillion cornice. First floor at corner now has glazed conservatory. After cinema and bingo use, it became a ‘wine lodge’, with live entertainment, often of music-hall style with local entertainers. The former theatre space is much altered.

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• Other names
  The Arcade & Assembly Rooms, Tivoli Electric Theatre
• Events
  • 1868 Design/Construction:
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1868 Owner/Management: Assembly Rooms Company, owner
  • 1895 Owner/Management: Thomas Sergenson, lessee (also of Prince of Wales Theatre)
  • 1912 Owner/Management: Yates Bros Ltd, probably owners
  • Owner/Management: later: various lessees
• Capacities
  • Later: 1912: 800
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • (now) Platform
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: 1912 Depth: 30ft
  • Proscenium width: 1912: 20ft