Building Name

Crown Theatre: Church Street Eccles

Date
1898 - 1899
Street
Church Street
District/Town
Eccles
County/Country
GMCA, England
Client
Mr Flanagan
Work
New Build

The new Lyceum Theatre at Eccles was opened to the public last Monday night. This busy Lancashire town has been too long in want of a place of amusement, or a house where entertainment of the higher class could be given, and when Mr Flanagan's intentions were known some months ago they received the warmest approval of the inhabitants.  Without doubt the theatre is one of the prettiest in the north, and possesses a stage sufficient to accommodate the most gorgeous spectacles. It is built on the latest modern plan, and from any part of the house the spectator has an uninterrupted view of the stage. The auditorium is constructed in three tiers, supported by four columns, and will seat about 2,000 people. The stage measures 67 feet. in width, 38 feet from the proscenium to the back wall, and 26 feet across the proscenium opening. The working gridiron is undoubtedly one of the finest in the provinces, and there is room above the proscenium opening to lift a 28ft. by 36ft. cloth clear out of sight. The mezzanine extends 10 feet to 12 feet below the stage, according to the rake. The stage floor beams are set in iron shoes, so that if required they can be lifted, the whole floor taken out, and there are also a number of bridges and gaps available for the most elaborate spectacular effects. The fire curtain is embossed with the heraldic insignia of the Borough of Eccles, and the ornamentation of the proscenium comprises the representation of Shakespeare's Seven Ages, painted by Hugh Freemantle. The act-drop is a facsimile of Beverley's well-known production for the opening of the Theatre Royal, Manchester, in the year 1845 - a Grecian subject, painted by J. I. Keith.

The fittings throughout are on the most elaborate scale and in the English renaissance style, from the designs of Mr Walter Campbell. The upholstering is in blue and gold velvet, with plush curtains in shades to match the entire decorations. The theatre is lighted by electricity, which is also employed for the footlights, and for special purpose on the stage. The windows of the foyer open to a verandah running the entire length of the building, and are provided with means of escape in the case of alarm or fire. The dressing-rooms (seventeen in number) are situated on one side of the theatre on four floors. Each dressing-room is provided with the necessary requirements, including an electric calling bell, as well as a small cooking-range. There are automatic sprinklers all over the theatre, which is absolutely fireproof. The architects are Messrs Campbell and Horsley, of Eccles and Manchester. The decorations and furnishing throughout are by A. R. Dean, Limited, of London and Birmingham. [ERA, 4 March 1899].

Following a change of ownership The Lyceum was renamed the Crown Theatre in 1907 and the Crown Cinema when it was converted into a cinema in 1932. The cinema closed in 1963 when it was converted into a Bingo Hall. At this time the stage area was demolished leaving only the auditorium and front of house areas intact. The building has stood empty since the closure of the bingo hall the 1980s and has stood derelict since the roof was destroyed by a fire in June 2013. The theatre is currently subject to a proposal for total demolition (2017).

Reference          ERA, 4 March 1899