Royal County (Bedford)

• Theatre ID
  463
• Built / Converted
  1899
• Dates of use
  • 1945 - 1960
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Religious centre (Church)
• Address
  147 Midland Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England

Details

Converted in 1899 from Central Hall. Façe altered on conversion to bingo hall in 1964, although there is still some ornamentation surviving over the stage door in Grafton Road. Originally debased classical, red brick with stone dressings. The interior retains an altered stage which has been cut right back from the proscenium which is now merely a feature (and perhaps holds up the roof!) with a promenade between the back of the proscenium and the stage. The auditorium is like a 1930s cinema theatre conversion with one balcony and boxes, but interestingly the rear of the circle is like a separate space with rows of lesser length (cf Phipps’s Exeter design).

---

Hide all images

See all images

---

Hide further details

• Events
  • 1945 - 1960 Use:
  • 1893 Design/Construction: as auction house
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1898 Alteration: converted to Central Hall
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1899 Alteration: converted to theatre
    • Henry Young - Architect
  • 1957 Alteration: fascia altered; Victorian features removed
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1964 Alteration: converted to bingo
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1898 - 1949 Owner/Management: Edward Graham-Falcon
  • 1946 Owner/Management: succeeded on his death by daughter Rose Newton
  • 1949 Owner/Management: Russell, owner
  • 1977 - 1995 Owner/Management: Mecca, lessees?
  • 1996 Owner/Management: Zion Church
• Capacities
  • Original: 1000
  • Later: 1908: 1500 1912: 1166 1946: 679
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium flat
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 25ft
  • Proscenium width: 26ft
  • Height to grid: 45ft
  • Orchestra pit: Original - 16 places