Odeon

The Odeon opened in 1921 as Wood’s Palace, with full stage facilities. Two-storey frontage in Lichfield Street faced with faience. In 1937 it became an Odeon and was later used for wartime concerts. It closed as a cinema in 1964 and reopened the following year as a bingo hall. The tall fly tower and a three-storey dressing room block were preserved. The auditorium floor was levelled with the stage and the decorative plasterwork to the ceiling was entirely concealed by a false ceiling at circle front level. The walls have some traces of original decorative plasterwork. After over 30 years as Bingo the venue closed, and reopened as a function/events venue. Although the stage house was generous for its day, any reversal of the alterations to reinstate live theatre use would be difficult and expensive.