Building Name

Osborne Theatre/Royal Osborne Theatre

Date
1896
Street
Oldham Road
District/Town
Miles Platting
County/Country
GMCA, England
Client
W H Broadhead
Work
New build
Status
Demolished 2010
Contractor
cp

This new theatre, which was opened on Monday, adds another to the numerous places of entertainment in the city. It is situated in Oldham-road in North-east Manchester, a district which, though densely populated, has hitherto been singularly destitute of public amusements, and on this account the theatre supplies a want long felt by the inhabitants of the locality, and promises to compensate the proprietor, Mr W. H. Broadhead, of Manchester and Blackpool, for his enterprise.  The building is a large and spacious one designed from plans by Mr J. J. Alley, architect, of Manchester and Altrincham, who has endeavoured to combine safety with comfort and artistic effect. It stands entirely detached from any other building, and its internal design secures an uninterrupted view of the stage from every part of the house. It is seated to accommodate some 3,000 persons; the pit area alone supplying accommodation for 1,200 of that number. The pit slopes rapidly down to the orchestra, while the dress-circle above forms the base of a splendid amphitheatre which rises from the centre of the pit with the gallery as a background. The dress-circle is surrounded by side and back stalls and with the gallery as a continuation of the same slope. The interior has a bright and pleasing aspect and is lighted by means of electric light, while a perfect arrangement for heating and ventilating the building adds to the comfort of the audience. [The ERA 18 April 1896]

The Royal Osborne Theatre suffered a fire in 1958 but was reconstructed and renamed the New Osborne. In the 1970's it was in use as a roller disco and by the late 1980's it was home to an acid house club called The Thunderdome. The Osborne was demolished in April/May 2010

Reference           The ERA 18 April 1896