Pomegranate

• Theatre ID
  653
• Built / Converted
  1879
• Dates of use
  • 1879: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Corporation Street, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7TX, England

Details

Built in 1879 as the Stephenson Memorial Hall, it was enlarged in 1898 and given a proper stage. In 1910 the hall achieved its present dimensions, with a raked auditorium. The original hall was intended for a multiplicity of uses, public concerts, etc but was poorly equipped for theatrical performance. By 1910, theatre use was fully achievable but was still one of many uses. Since the further improvements carried out in 1949, it has operated as a theatre, financed by the borough council. The theatre forms part of a larger block with museum, etc, all in uniform style, brick and stone with gothic windows and door openings; tower with spire. The stage extension with its low fly tower, built in 1898, employed matching materials. In addition to the theatre the complex now contains the local museum. The auditorium as now seen is the result of a series of past alterations. Still visible, the fine arched trusses of the 1879 hall. Balcony and slips fronts in five straight sections with ornamental panels; plain walls; proscenium framed by square columns supporting a low-arched tympanum. Raked stalls; orchestra pit for sixteen players. There is evidence of the former existence of wood stage machinery, but none remains.

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• Other names
  Public Hall (within the Stephenson Memorial Hall), Corporation Theatre, Civic Theatre
• Events
  • 1879 Use: continuing
  • 1879 Design/Construction:
    • Smith & Woodhouse (Manchester) - Architect
  • 1898 Alteration: large stage and dressing rooms added at east end
    • W H Wagstaff - Architect
  • 1910 Alteration: auditorium floor raked; orchestra pit formed
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1949 Alteration: improved
    • Chesterfield Corporation (E Bonsall) - Architect
  • 1982 Alteration: redecorated
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1990 Alteration: major repairs to roof and trusses
    • Chesterfield Corporation (David Botton) - Architect
  • 1993 Alteration: minor improvements
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1994 Alteration: reseated and recarpeted
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1879 Design/Construction:
    • Chadwick & Co - Consultant: Decorations
  • 1898 Design/Construction:
    • McCullen & Bond - Consultant: Painted Borders Etc
  • 1949 Design/Construction:
    • George Kennedy - Consultant: Consultant Architect For Alterations
  • 1889 - 1994 Owner/Management: Chesterfield Corporation, owners
  • 1910 Owner/Management: Henson and Davis, lessees
  • 1926 Owner/Management: Hippodrome (Chesterfield) Ltd, lessees
  • 1949 Owner/Management: Ian Vogler, manager
• Capacities
  • Original: 500
  • Later: 1898: 1000 1912: ‘over 1000’ 1949: 737 1970: 622
  • Current: 546
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Proscenium raked 1:24
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 10.4m (34ft 2in)
  • Proscenium width: 7.73m (25ft 5in)
  • Height to grid: 13.4m (44ft)
  • Orchestra pit: Enlarged