New Theatre

Built on a site previously occupied by the New Theatre of 1868, which was demolished by fire, and was itself replaced by Drinkwater’s New Theatre of 1886. This was, in turn, remodelled by W G R Sprague in 1908 and, by all appearances, internally remodelled in modern style rather than rebuilt by W & T R Milburn in 1933. The theatre was in the ownership of three generations of the Dorrill family until 1972.

The present theatre has a stone façade, probably in the main that of 1908, with little in the way of architectural relief apart from a lonely-looking aedicule on the long flank. Plain attic above a squashed modillion cornice. Entrance on chamfered corner.

The auditorium is in Art-Deco style. High, arched proscenium with pelmet set within deep banded ante-proscenium. No boxes. Two balconies, the lower one divided by a barrier into dress and upper circle, decorated with ‘Roman’ stud decoration and terminating at the ante-proscenium. At stalls level, two gilded murals depict Antique scenes. In the foyer, the mirrors and staircase decoration are in similar style. Difficult get-in, the stage being more than 2m (6ft 8in) below street level. The theatre is now a major touring house.