Theatre Royal (Ramsbottom)

• Theatre ID
  3431
• Built / Converted
  1991
• Dates of use
  • 1991: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Smithy Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire, BL0 9AT, England

Details

The Theatre Royal is the second building on the site and owes its existence to the Blakeborough family. In the late 1890s a cinema was converted from a stables (hence Smithy Street) which was later destroyed by fire. E E Blakeborough replaced this in the 1930s with another cinema. Films ceased c.1968 and the building was used for snooker. It was then acquired by the Summerseat Players, so named because they performed at a church hall in Summerseat, which they later purchased and converted into a little theatre. More recently in 1991 came the opportunity to relocate to the Theatre Royal, which has been transformed into another little theatre, this time multi-purpose in order to accommodate conferencing and hire. The performance stage is created with rostra forming an apron, and seating is in three blocks with side aisles. The auditorium is completely plain, but there is a cosy foyer with bar and green room. Dressing rooms at rear. Externally, red brick flank elevations; the front elevation rendered, five windows wide at first floor level; the centre three, with the entrance below framed by slightly projecting piers supporting a faintly pedimental parapet; modern replacement windows.

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• Events
  • Owner/Management: Blakeborough Entertainment Ltd
  • 1930 Design/Construction: as cinema
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1991 Use: continuing
  • 1991 Alteration: conversion to theatre
    • Unknown - Architect