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Library Theatre

603

E Vincent Harris was appointed architect of the central library building in 1928 as the result of an architectural competition. The site has important frontages to St Peter's Square, Peter Street and Mount Street and a circular form was adopted for the whole building. The library design is classical, faced with Portland stone to a height of 27.4m (90ft). The main entrance is marked by a Corinthian portico facing St Peter's Square. A lecture theatre seating 300 was built in the basement. Entrance was from stairs leading down from the Shakespeare Hall, behind the great portico, to the crush hall. Tiered, it had a fan-shaped auditorium, with apron stage, three dressing rooms, and projection box. The Manchester Corporation Act of 1946 empowered the Libraries Committee to fully utilise the theatre for 'lectures, concerts, displays and the performance of stage plays...'. It was managed initially under the direction of the Manchester Intimate Theatre Group. In 1952, the Libraries Committee took control. Later changes included replacement of the cloakroom with the Library theatre cafeteria and a small ante-foyer, curved around the two entrances. The auditorium was painted black, with seats furnished in scarlet, and minor modifications took place to the technical areas. The theatre closed in 2010 as a result of the Central Library upgrade. The Library Theatre Company and Cornerhouse subsequently merged to create the Greater Manchester Arts Centre Ltd (GMAC) in 2012. The new company will be based at HOME, a purpose built venue in the centre of Manchester, opening in 2015.

Built / Converted
1946
Dates of use
  • 1946 - 2010: Theatre
Current state
Extant
Current use
Converted to other use
Address
Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 5PD, England
Further details
Other names
-
Events
  • Owner/Management: Manchester City Council
  • 1933 Design/Construction: as lecture theatre
    E Vincent Harris
    - Architect
    Bannister Walton & Co Ltd (Trafford Park)
    - Contractor
    William Moss & Sons Ltd (Liverpool)
    - Contractor
    John Dickenson & Co Ltd (Bristol)
    - Contractor
    Robert Anning Bell
    - Artist
  • 1946 - 2010 Use: Theatre
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    300
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    308
Listings
  • Listing
    II*
    Comment
    as Central Library
Stage type
Proscenium. Rake 1:24
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 5m Width SL: 6.65m SR: 6.65m
Proscenium width: 8.9m
Height to grid: 4.25m
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: None