Savoy Theatre

• Theatre ID
  731
• Built / Converted
  1927
• Dates of use
  • 1987 - 1983: 1995 continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (Cinema and theatre) <br> (site in theatre use from 1830s, with breaks)
• Address
  18 Church Street, Monmouth, Gwent, Wales
• Website
  • http://www.savoytheatremonmouth.co.uk

Details

The site has had a splendidly varied history. The Flannel Exchange and Assembly Rooms were built at the old Bell Inn in the 1830s (a granary still standing at the rear bears the date 1751). J F Rogers opened the New Theatre in this building in 1851, by which time it was known as the Bell Assembly Rooms. The Assembly Rooms were converted into a skating rink in 1875. In 1910, the much altered building was converted to a picture house. It served briefly as a place of worship in 1911, then, after various changes of cinema ownership, it was totally rebuilt as a cinéariety house in 1927 by Albany Ward. The 1927 building is still entered through an altered late Georgian three-storey three-bay building which has a plain rendered façe with a shop front to the left of the cinema entrance. It is a fine and complete example of a richly detailed cinéariety house with a single balcony. Segmental vaulted ceiling with enriched ribs and grilles. Plaster-panelled walls with garlanded figure medallions. Stage is 5.4m (18ft) deep. Flying height is limited and cloths need to be rolled or tumbled. A few items of old scenery are stacked in a corner of the stage. The orchestra pit would probably accommodate twelve musicians.

---

Hide further details

• Other names
  Flannel Exchange & Assembly Rooms, Oddfellow’s Hall, Bell Assembly Rooms, New Theatre/Theatre Royal, Corn Exchange, The Bell (rink), Rinkeries Living Picture Palace, Palace, Scala Cinema, New Picture House, Magic Lantern Theatre
• Events
  • 1987 - 1983 Use: 1995 continuing
  • 1832 Design/Construction: as Flannel Exchange and Assembly Rooms
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1849 - 1851 Alteration: Array converted to Assembly Rooms and New Theatre
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1875 Alteration: converted to skating rink
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1910 Alteration: converted to cinema
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1917 Alteration: redecorated and entrance moved to Church Street
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1927 Alteration: completely rebuilt as ciné-variety
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1987 Alteration: refurbished and reopened as Magic Lantern Theatre
    • Unknown - Architect
• Capacities
  • Original: 1994: 180
• Listings
  • Grade II - 9.2.1989
• Stage type
  • Rake
• Dimensions
  • Building dimensions: Auditorium 55ft 9in x 40ft 9in
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 17ft 9in Width: 40ft 9in
  • Height to grid: No grid
  • Orchestra pit: Original