Art Theatre

• Theatre ID
  908
• Built / Converted
  1911
• Dates of use
  • 1911: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (Amateur theatre)
• Address
  Jodrell Street/Wood Street, New Mills, Derbyshire, SK22 3HJ, England

Details

The theatre opened in 1911 as a cinéariety house, became a cinema in 1939 and returned to live theatre use in 1948. Cinema use ceased completely in 1959 when the present company took over. The main building is rectangular with no fly tower. A building of irregular plan form fronts Jodrell Street; pebble-dashed with slated roof. The interior is pleasing with a single circle, 10m (33ft) deep curving round to two projecting flat-roofed boxes on each side, one lower than the other, linked by a dummy balcony front. The boxes adjoining the proscenium arch are not used by the public. The arch itself is framed by a ribboned, reeded moulding. The ceiling has all-over low relief ornament. The balcony fronts have pretty wreaths and garlands.

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• Other names
  Empire and Hippodrome
• Events
  • 1911 Use: continuing
  • 1911 Design/Construction:
    • John Fraser & J B Fraser of Chapel-en-le-Frith - Architect
  • 1921 Alteration: major reconstruction
    • Albert Winstanley - Architect
  • 1983 Design/Construction:
    • Clare Ferraby - Consultant: Interior Design
  • 1911 Owner/Management: David MacIntosh, lessee and manager
  • 1920 Owner/Management: Walters & Law, owners
  • 1922 Owner/Management: Art Picture Playhouse (New Mills) Ltd, owners
  • 1959 Owner/Management: New Mills Operatic & Dramatic Co, lessees
  • 1966 Owner/Management: New Mills Operatic & Dramatic Co, owners
• Capacities
  • Original: 300-400
  • Later: 1994: 511
  • Current: 511
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Pros Rake 1:18
• Dimensions
  • Building dimensions: Side walls exterior 114ft x 50ft
  • Stage dimensions: Depth 1911: 15ft 15in 1921: 22ft 8in Width SL: 26ft 11in SR: 26ft 11in
  • Proscenium width: 1921: 23ft 6in
  • Height to grid: 27ft
  • Inside proscenium: 38ft
  • Orchestra pit: Enlarged