New Cross Empire

• Theatre ID
  3240
• Built / Converted
  1899
• Dates of use
  • 1950 - 1959: Until when not known.
• Current state
  Demolished
• Current use
  demolished
• Address
  New Cross Road, Lewisham, London, SE14 6TQ, England

Details

One of Matcham’s dozen or so London suburban new-built (rather than rebuilt or remodelled) theatres. It was just across the road from Sprague’s Broadway Theatre which opened two years earlier. The Empire was a variety theatre on a site with street frontages on three sides. The front to the Broadway with its two little corner towers above the façe was far less impressive than the Sprague theatre, but internally was prime Matcham. It was still operating as a variety theatre into the 1950s. Insult was added to the injury of its demolition by the fact that its replacement was a filling station named New Cross Empire.

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• Other names
  Deptford Empire (proposed name)
• Events
  • 1950 - 1959 Use: Until when not known.
  • 1899 Design/Construction:
    • Frank Matcham - Architect
  • 1899 Design/Construction:
    • Waring - Consultant: Decorative Work
  • 1899 Owner/Management: Edward Moss & London District Empire Palaces Ltd
  • 1912 Owner/Management: by Moss Empires
• Capacities
  • Later: 1912: 3000 1946: c.1700
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: d: 34ft w: 84ft
  • Proscenium width: 32ft x 32ft (19ft to pelmet)
  • Height to grid: 48ft 45 hemps
  • Orchestra pit: for 16