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Royal County

463

Converted in 1899 from Central Hall. Façade 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).

Built / Converted
1899
Dates of use
  • 1945 - 1960
Current state
Extant
Current use
Religious centre (Church)
Address
147 Midland Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England
Website-
Further details
Other names
-
Events
  • 1893 Design/Construction: as auction house
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1898 Alteration: converted to Central Hall
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1898 - 1949 Owner/Management: Edward Graham-Falcon
  • 1899 Alteration: converted to theatre
    Henry Young
    - Architect
  • 1945 - 1960 Use:
  • 1946 Owner/Management: succeeded on his death by daughter Rose Newton
  • 1949 Owner/Management: Russell, owner
  • 1957 Alteration: fascia altered; Victorian features removed
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1964 Alteration: converted to bingo
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1977 - 1995 Owner/Management: Mecca, lessees?
  • 1996 Owner/Management: Zion Church
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    1000
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1908: 1500
    1912: 1166
    1946: 679
Listings
  • Listing
    Not listed
Stage type
Proscenium flat
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 25ft
Proscenium width: 26ft
Height to grid: 45ft
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: Original - 16 places