Stephen Joseph Theatre

• Theatre ID
  3000
• Built / Converted
  1996
• Dates of use
  • 1996 - 0: as theatre - continuing
  • 1936 - 1970: as cinema
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Westborough, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England

Details

The Stephen Joseph Theatre was created within the shell of the Grade II listed modernist Odeon of 1936. To some the demolition of much of what was a complete Odeon interior was vandalism; to others the creation of a theatre in-the-round together with an end stage studio theatre was an exciting use for a redundant cinema. The development phases included demolishing the front circle to allow for the creation of a full height atrium between the end stage and the round spaces; the establishment of a new studio/cinema in the area previously occupied by the rear circle seating and the refurbishment of the public areas. Major works were required to build the in-the-round space. The concept was to develop a new stage lift which could carry full stage trucks down to the workshops, rehearsal rooms and storage levels. This involved excavations for 6m x 6m stage and the slip stage store to the order of 2,500 tons of soil, taking the basement level down some 10m. Seating arrangement for the in-the-round auditorium was designed to have great flexibility, partly because of the possibility of ‘parking’ the stage at various levels. The seating in the McCarthy Studio is more traditional. The Stephen Joseph Theatre is an important addition to the stock of modern British theatres and especially theatres in-the-round.

---

Hide further details

• Other names
  Odeon
• Events
  • 1996 - 0 Use: as theatre - continuing
  • 1936 - 0 Design/Construction: as Odeon Cinema
    • Mollo & Egan - Interior design
    • Harry Weedon With Cecil Clavering - Architect
  • 1996 Alteration: creation of theatre-in-the-round etc
    • Henry, Osborne, Osborne Christmas Architects - Architect
    • Shepherd Construction (York) - Contractor
  • 1996 Owner/Management: Scarborough Theatre Development Trust
  • 1936 - 1970 Use: as cinema
  • 1936 - 0 Owner/Management: Odeon
• Capacities
  • Original: 1711
  • Current: 404; McC 165
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Formerly proscenium
  • Now in-the-round