Playhouse (Paxton Suite)

• Theatre ID
  961
• Built / Converted
  1889
• Dates of use
  • 1889: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  —
• Address
  Pavilion Gardens, St Johns Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN, England

Details

Part of the Pavilion Gardens, Winter Gardens and Opera House complex, it was known popularly as ‘the old theatre’ after the Opera House, which it immediately adjoins, opened. Long, low stone street façe running the full length (59m/193ft) of auditorium and stage, the four centre bays divided by rusticated pilasters with finials. Elaborate Baroque gable at left hand end (right wall of stage). Pitched roof overall, with no visible flytower (but limited flying is possible). The auditorium is, at first sight, heavily altered, but without, in fact, much loss of original fabric. A sloping false ceiling rises from the curving front of the balcony, which now forms a storage space, from which it is still possible to see a painting over the proscenium. The main floor has been raised in a series of terraces off the the old raked stalls. This is now a multi-function room. There is no fixed seating. The stage is complete but is rarely used, apart from the flat, shallow forestage where there was once an orchestra pit. It would not be difficult to restore the Playhouse to its original appearance, but a return to theatrical use seems rather unlikely.

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• Other names
  Entertainment Stage, Pavilion, The Old Theatre (popular name), by Hippodrome, The Palace Theatre & Hippodrome Cinema, Playhouse, Paxton Suite
• Events
  • 1889 Use: continuing
  • 1889 Design/Construction:
    • W R Bryden with Ed Milner - Architect
  • 1894 Alteration: extra dressing room accommodation (2 rooms) added
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1889 Design/Construction:
    • Plastic Decorations and Papier Mache Ltd (London) - Consultant: Proscenium Front
    • George Collier - Consultant: Drop Scene Of Chatsworth House And The Bridge
  • 1889 Owner/Management: Buxton Gardens Society, owner; J Willoughby, manager
  • 1912 Owner/Management: Buxton Gardens Co; Allan Milton, manager
  • 1975 Owner/Management: Buxton Theatre and Arts Trust
• Capacities
  • Original: 850
  • Later: 1912: 1500 1946: 600 1975: 600
  • Current: 250
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Proscenium Raked (1:65)
• Dimensions
  • Building dimensions: Auditorium 80ft x 50ft
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 9m (30ft) Width: 50ft
  • Proscenium width: 8.08m (26ft 6in)
  • Height to grid: c.9m (33ft)
  • Inside proscenium: 60ft
  • Orchestra pit: None
• Unreliable anecdotes
  The Stage Guide (1912) dimensions for proscenium and stage depth and width are at variance with measured and other published material