Ritz (Rushden)

• Theatre ID
  397
• Built / Converted
  1936
• Dates of use
  • 1936 - 1976
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Bingo (occasional live performance)
• Address
  College Street, Rushden, Northamptonshire, England

Details

The theatre opened in 1936, with the intention of replacing the Palace. In 1976 it became a bingo house. Three-bay façe in brick and artificial stone, the centre bay advanced with a big mullioned window above the entrance canopy and topped by a recessed frieze and overhanging coping, giving a slightly Egyptian flavour. Blind windows with balcony panels to the outer bays. Fly tower and easily accessible get in. The balconied auditorium is almost unaltered, quite plain with decorative grilles flanking the proscenium arch. The stage is the largest for many miles around, with a 11.9m (39ft) proscenium and 10.6m (35ft) depth. The Ritz could easily return to live theatre use but local enthusiasm for such a move has been subdued. The big stage and large capacity have deterred the local operatic societies who have used it in the past from joining any campaign for its revival.

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• Events
  • 1936 - 1976 Use:
  • 1936 Design/Construction: Brown & Fisher (Wellingborough)
    • Paul J J Panter of Talbot - Architect
  • 1936 Owner/Management: The Palace (Wellingborough) Co Ltd, owners
  • 1968 Owner/Management: The Palace Company, owners; L Jaffa, managing director
• Capacities
  • Original: 1191
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 35ft Width SL: 33ft 6in SR: 30ft 6in
  • Proscenium width: 39ft x c.22ft 9in high
  • Height to grid: 41ft 9in
  • Inside proscenium: 45ft