New Theatre & Opera House (Hippodrome)

• Theatre ID
  56
• Built / Converted
  1886
• Dates of use
  • 1887 - 1930
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  dark (Used from 1867 as a multi-purpose hall, little drama)
• Address
  George Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England

Details

Opened in 1868 as St George’s Hall, essentially a concert hall with two levels of seating. Enlarged 1886 to become the St George’s Hall and Theatre and rebuilt as a theatre in 1902. Remaining in theatrical use until 1930. Again rebuilt in 1935, in enlarged form, as a cinema. Tripled in 1974. All that remains of the former theatre buildings are a section of wall of the 1860s on the right flank and the former front of 1902, now at the rear and of little interest. The latter is in two storeys, originally described as ‘in Jacobean style’, brick and terra cotta in three main bays, each of three small arched windows at first floor level. It was operated for a number of years by the Robins cinema chain but closed at the end of 1999. Its future remains uncertain.

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• Other names
  The Hippodrome (only for variety dates), St George’s Hall, St George’s Hall & Theatre, Opera House, Opera House & Hippodrome, Ritz, Gaumont, Odeon
• Events
  • 1887 - 1930 Use:
  • 1867 Design/Construction: Nicholl & Goodwin (Birmingham)
    • Essex - Architect
  • 1888 Alteration: enlarged theatre; new stage; new scenery (by T H Hall of Birmingham Royal)
    • Adams - Architect
  • 1902 Alteration: Nicholl and Goodman (formerly attrib. E Forshaw), rebuilt
    • Essex - Architect
  • 1906 Alteration: converted to music hall
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1935 Alteration: rebuilt as a cinema; building turned round 180 degrees; new entrance in Guild Street
    • Thomas Jenkins and John Fairweather (Glasgow) - Architect
  • 1974 Alteration: tripled
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1887 Design/Construction:
    • Pickering - Consultant: Interior Decoration
  • 1885 - 1886 Owner/Management: Fred Brown, lessee
  • 1886 Owner/Management: H T Brickwell, manager
  • 1886 Owner/Management: F Walton, proprietor or lessee
  • 1888 - 1889 Owner/Management: J Wood, general manager
  • 1889 Owner/Management: W J Drewery, proprietor or lessee
  • 1898 - 1899 Owner/Management: J Wood & W Payne Seddon, lessees
  • 1902 Owner/Management: W Harry, manager
  • 1902 Owner/Management: L A Long, manager
  • 1903 Owner/Management: A E Boddy
  • 1903 - 1907 Owner/Management: John Waller, manager
  • 1934 Owner/Management: Burton Picturedrome Ltd, propietors
  • 1955 Owner/Management: CMA
• Capacities
  • Original: 800
  • Later: 1908:1800 1902: 1500 1912: 1250 1935: 1500 1955: 1355
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Raked
• Dimensions
  • Building dimensions: 1867 Interior 68ft x 47ft floor to apex
  • Stage dimensions: Depth 1887: 32ft, 1902: 30ft to 45ft Width SL: 1888: 23ft 6in; 1902: 25ft-30ft SR: 1887: 23ft 6in; 1902: 25ft-30ft
  • Proscenium width: 1888: 24ft; 1902: 30ft; 1935: 48ft; Present 27ft
  • Height to grid: 1902: 52ft; now 50ft