Playhouse (Brighton)

• Theatre ID
  2405
• Built / Converted
  1920
• Dates of use
  • 1947 - 1949
• Current state
  Fragmental remains
• Current use
  converted to other use (Residential)
• Address
  Sudeley Place, Kemp Town, Brighton, East Sussex, England

Details

Always clearly showing its chapel beginnings, the Playhouse had six high arched windows down the side of the corner site and a tiny entrance of double doors into a small foyer. Either side of the entrance was a largely bricked-in smaller arched window with a range of windows at first floor level, two outer rectangular and two central arched, and a superimposed projection box at second floor level - well into the eaves of the sloping tiled roof. Inside the roof had the original open timber trusses and the arched window openings were highlighted for decorative effect with dummy arches down the wall adjoining the neighbouring property. There was a single balcony. Little else in the way of decorative features, but the auditorium had a certain innate charm and a vibrant intimacy. It is not certain if the stage was part of the 1920 conversion (probable) or a later addition, but for the size of the theatre it was quite spacious. A professional weekly repertory company was established in 1947 for Playhouse Productions Ltd. Over sixty productions were staged before the building reverted to a cinema in 1949. In 1986 the death of the owner (Miles Byrne) forced a sudden closure. This was only a few months after a complete refurbishment. After lying empty for many years, during which time a return to stage use as a home of the National Youth Theatre was discussed, the Continentale was sold to developers who retained the exterior walls and roof whilst turning the auditorium into three town houses with a fourth on the site of the former stage and dressing room block, which were completely demolished.

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• Other names
  Kingscliff, Picture Playhouse, Metro, Continentale
• Events
  • 1947 - 1949 Use:
  • 1891 Design/Construction: as chapel
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1920 Alteration: converted to cinema
    • Denman & Matthew (Brighton) - Architect
• Capacities
  • Original: 400+
  • Later: 1964: 380
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium flat
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 6m
  • Proscenium width: 6.4m
  • Inside proscenium: c.6m
  • Orchestra pit: original