Athenaeum (Warminster)

• Theatre ID
  670
• Built / Converted
  1912
• Dates of use
  • 1912: (?earlier)-1997; 2000 continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Arts Centre (Centre for the community; mostly cinema 1912-64)
• Address
  18-22 High Street, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 9AE, England
• Website
  • http://www.athenaeumcentre.org.uk

Details

The Athenaeum, a literary institution, was built in 1858 to designs by local architect W J Stent. It included a large lecture room, a reading room, classrooms and a librarian’s residence. In 1879 it was largely rebuilt behind a slightly modified façe. The architect for these works was T H Wyatt. In 1895 the building was handed over to the Urban District Council. In 1912 Albany Ward took on the lease of the lecture room (the Bleeck Hall) and fitted it with the latest lighting and cinematograph equipment, refurbishing the seating and reopening as the Picture Palace. As well as films, the Palace also presented plays, pantomimes opera and music and productions of the Warminster Operatic Society. Further improvements were made in 1935. In 1969 the Warminster and District Arts and Civic Society refurbished the building at a cost of £10,000. In 1986 it became the West Wiltshire Arts Centre, serving the local community with theatre, film, music, dance, art and lectures. The attractive gabled stone front has been well preserved with its iron entrance canopy. The proscenium is plain but attractive, and the auditorium well-maintained. The balcony is iron-fronted and supported on two iron pillars. Closed in 1997, it reopened in 2000 as the Athenaeum Centre for the Community, once again serving the local community with theatre, film, music and educational classes. A programme of refurbishment, begun in 2000, continues.

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• Other names
  Electric Picture Palace, Palace, Athenaeum Arts Centre, West Wiltshire Arts Centre, Athenaeum Centre for the Community
• Events
  • 1912 Use: (?earlier)-1997; 2000 continuing
  • 1858 Design/Construction: as Athenaeum Literary Institution
    • William J Stent - Architect
  • 1879 Alteration: rebuilt behind façade
    • T H Wyatt - Architect
  • 1901 Alteration: extended to incorporate technical school
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1912 Alteration: converted to cinema
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1935 Alteration: reading room removed to make new entrance; lounge converted from billiards room
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1966 Alteration: refurbished
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1969 Alteration: converted to arts centre
    • Eric G Stevens - Architect
  • 1993 Alteration: modified to provide exhibition room etc; redecorated
    • Chris Walker (District Council) - Architect
  • Owner/Management: (NB building has technically always been held in Trust)
  • 1857 Owner/Management: Warminster Arts & Civic Society
  • 1895 - 2000 Owner/Management: Warminster Urban Disrict Council/West Wiltshire DC
  • 1912 Owner/Management: Albany Ward, lessee
  • 1927 Owner/Management: Charles Rowe, lessee
  • 1966 Owner/Management: Warminster Arts & Civic Society, lessees
  • 1986 - 1997 Owner/Management: West Wiltshire Arts Centre, lessees
  • 2000 Owner/Management: Warminster Athenaeum Trust, trustees
• Capacities
  • Later: 1966: 250
  • Current: 226
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Proscenium, slight rake. Cyclorama (not quite full size)
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 6.4m Width SL: 1.22m SR: 1.22m
  • Proscenium width: 7.31m x 3.66m
  • Height to grid: 6.7m
  • Orchestra pit: 2 rows stalls removed when space required