Skip to main content

Odeon

3045

The auditorium features a moulded stepped-down ceiling with spectacular stalactite light fittings. At either side of the proscenium were intricate grillework squares forming an ante-proscenium, by Mollo and Egan, originally with decorative lighting. The stage was equipped with a Conacher organ in 1946, the original Compton having been damaged by bombing whilst in transit.

It was tripled in 1975 with the two smaller screens 2 and 3 contained within the under-balcony area of the rear stalls. Odeon closed the cinema in 1998 until it was bought by Basil Newby who converted the building and reopened it as a nightclub and showbar complex in March 2002.

The building now comprises of a cabaret theatre called Funny Girls in the stalls area and the lower half of the original circle. It has been creatively adapted retaining the original side grilles (with boxes placed in front) and the proscenium arch, modifying the stage area for performance. A seated dining area has been formed in the lower half of the original circle. At the centre of the circle, a vertical wall has been constructed to separate the rear of the auditorium, itself converted into a nightclub called Flamingo's utilising the original stalactite light fittings. The former circle café has been converted into a bar called Buzz.

This is a good use of an old building, the drag cabaret burlesque showbar a popular entertainment venue in Blackpool.

Built / Converted
-
Dates of use
  • 1939 : Until when not known. Occasional
Current state
Extant
Current use
Licensed premises (Nightclub)
Address
Dickson Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Website-
Further details
Other names
-
Events
  • Owner/Management: Odeon
  • 1939 Use: Until when not known. Occasional
  • 1939 Design/Construction:
    Harry Weedon with W Calder Robinson
    - Architect
  • 1946 Alteration:
    Conacher organ (with grand piano) installed
    - Architect
  • 1975 Alteration: tripled
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 2002 Alteration: Basil Newby converted to nightclub and showbar complex
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    3088
Listings
  • Listing
    II
Stage type
Proscenium flat
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: -
Proscenium width: -
Height to grid: -
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: -