Arcadia Theatre

The opening is usually given as 1912; this may be true for stage shows - there was a pantomime in January, 1912. However, the Skegness Herald for 29 December 1911 states'...Clements new Arcadia Concert Hall, which has just been completed at the North end of Drummond Road...', and that it was opened for showing 'animated pictures' to Christmas holiday makers. Reopened as the Arcadia Centre on 13th December 1972 after extensive repairs, the theatre was later demolished and the site in use as a car park by 2000.

Built / Converted
-
Dates of use
  • 1911 - 1987
Current state
Demolished
Current use
Demolished
Address
Drummond Road, Skegness, Lincolnshire, England
Website-
Further details
Other names
-
Events
  • 1911 - 1912 Design/Construction: Array
    Frank Tugwell
    - Architect
  • 1911 - 1987 Use:
  • 1912 - 1935 Owner/Management: M F Clements, proprietor
  • 1924 Owner/Management: Laurie Sullivan, manager
  • 1933 Alteration: balcony added
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1935 - 1948 Owner/Management: Skegness Entertainments Ltd
  • 1935 - 1950 Owner/Management: R L Kemp Entertainments Ltd, lessees; Richard Kemp, managing director
  • 1939 Owner/Management: Albert E Thompson, general manager
  • 1946 Alteration: partition erected at rear of stalls completely cutting off circle and rear part of large hall
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1946 - 1957 Owner/Management: Mrs J Wright, manager
  • 1953 Alteration: stage redesigned and enlarged; fly tower added; main entrance altered
    A J Thraves & Sons (Nottingham)
    - Architect
  • 1959 Alteration: alterations (uncertain whether these works were actually carried out)
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1972 Alteration: reopened as an Arts Centre. Balcony partitioned off to form Studio 1; twelve dressing rooms built, new foyer etc
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1973 - 1974 Alteration: Array single storey exhibition hall added
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1975 Owner/Management: East Lincolnshire Arts Centre Ltd
  • 1986 Owner/Management: Alfred Jackson, owner
  • 2000 Demolition: replaced with car park
Capacities
  • Original
    1000
  • Later
    pre 1972: 900
    1972: 570
    1975: 580
Listings
  • Not listed
Stage type
Rake
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 20ft Width SL: 21ft SR: 21ft
Proscenium width: 28ft x 18ft high
Height to grid: 32ft
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: Original for 14

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