Forum (Cannock)

• Theatre ID
  858
• Built / Converted
  1912
• Dates of use
  • 1962 - 1984
• Current state
  Demolished
• Current use
  demolished
• Address
  Market Hall Street, Cannock, Staffordshire, England

Details

Opened in 1912 as the Hippodrome, it was showing pictures and presenting variety from 1915. Reopened with repertory in 1917 but converted to a Palais de Danse in 1925 with a levelled floor and caféelow. Later re-raked and given an extended stage and orchestra enclosure it was used by 1939 for dancing, films and stage plays. The stalls were again levelled in 1955 and it reopened as a dance hall. It was purchased by the local council in 1961 for eventual demolition in a town centre ‘improvement’ project, becoming an amateur theatre (but with numerous other uses) the following year, retaining the flat floor but with raised rear stalls. It closed in 1984 when the Prince of Wales Centre opened. No architectural description yet found.

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• Other names
  Hippodrome, Palais de Danse, Forum, Cannock Picture House
• Events
  • 1962 - 1984 Use:
  • 1912 Design/Construction:
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1925 Alteration: converted to dance hall
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1931 Alteration: unspecified alterations
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1955 Alteration: reopened as a dance hall, stalls levelled again
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1962 Alteration: converted to theatre again
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1912 Design/Construction:
    • Albert Derry - Consultant: Interior Decoration
  • 1912 Owner/Management: Ben Kennedy, lessee
  • 1915 Owner/Management: Richard Jones, lessee
  • 1916 Owner/Management: Jervis Bros, lessees
  • Owner/Management: early 1920s-1923 Ben Kennedy, lessee
  • 1924 Owner/Management: Roland Barton, lessee
  • 1932 Owner/Management: A K Hawtin, proprietor
  • 1961 Owner/Management: purchased by council (due for demolition in town centre rebuild, scheduled for 1971)
• Capacities
  • Original: 800 or 1300 (sources differ)
  • Later: 1947: 658 1962: 385 1967: 490
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • proscenium
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: d: 30ft w: 44ft
  • Proscenium width: 24ft
  • Height to grid: unknown; full flying just possible