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Alhambra

2067

Stone gabled façade matching adjoining properties. A simple hall with little pretension. The cinema closed in February 1971 (in favour of the Regent) for conversion to bingo. The circle conversion to cinema took place in March 1984 when the Regent closed.

In original form, there was a shallow balcony of 4-5 rows with slips returned to proscenium; a false proscenium hiding the original above stalls including the lay light. The rear stalls were originally stepped up behind balcony front division, with their own entrance. A second cinema screen has been added.

The foyer is from the 1930s, but the original plasterwork exists approximately 1.8m (c.6ft) above.

Built / Converted
1906
Dates of use
Current state
Extant
Current use
Cinema (Cinema and bingo)
Address
Middlegate, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7PT, England
Further details
Other names
Lonsdale Cinemas & Opera Bingo , Lonsdale Alhambra Cinema
Events
  • 1906 Design/Construction: (architect unknown).
  • 1906 - 1971 Owner/Management: Alhambra Theatre and Picture House Ltd (Graves were majority shareholders by 1940s)
  • 1974 Owner/Management: continuing Graves (Cumberland) Ltd
  • 1984 Alteration: converted to cinema in circle/bingo stalls
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1948: 800
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    148
    Comment
    Screen 1
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    90
    Comment
    Screen 2
Listings
  • Listing
    Not listed
Stage type
Proscenium
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 5.2m Width: 14m
Proscenium width: 9.83m
Height to grid: -
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: -