Empire (Rotherham)

• Theatre ID
  2385
• Built / Converted
  1913
• Dates of use
  • 1913 - 1921
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  converted to other use (nightclub/warehouse)
• Address
  Westgate (High Street Corner), Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England

Details

The theatre occupies a large corner site. The foyer block, largely separate from the auditorium is in a free Classical style, faced in white faience which is in remarkably good condition. Prominent stage house. The tall auditorium was altered as a cinema in 1921, but retained three levels. In 1974 the circle and balcony were closed off with just the stalls in use, again as a cinema. In 1978 the stage area was partitioned and sublet, the stalls cinema reduced in size and the balcony (top level) re-opened with a wall at the end as a 314-seat cinema. Both closed in 1990. No trace of the Empire remains in the nightclub or bar but remains may possibly survive in the upper levels.

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• Other names
  Essoldo, Classic, Cannon
• Events
  • 1913 - 1921 Use:
  • 1913 Design/Construction:
    • Chadwick & Watson - Architect
  • 1921 Alteration: extensively altered to cinema
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1954 Owner/Management: Essoldo
  • 1972 - 1990 Owner/Management: Classic-Cannon
  • 1974 Alteration: circle and balcony closed off
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1978 Alteration: converted to cinema
    • Unknown - Architect
• Capacities
  • Later: 1948: 1143 1978: 314 & 294
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Rake
• Dimensions
  • Proscenium width: 9.84m