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Grand Theatre

748

On 15th November 1898, under the direction of Messrs Morell and Mouillot, the Grand Theatre was opened by Mrs Kendal. The spot was linked to Above Bar by the narrow Aslatt's Cut, which disappeared with the construction of the Civic Centre Road in the 1930s. Described as a playhouse, it was acoustically excellent. It was built of red brick with terra-cotta dressings in a style reminiscent of the French Renaisance.

The body of the theatre was circular in form but surrounded with a continuous three storey range, rectangular except for the curved entrance front. The entrance front was embellished with a crowning balustrade and a central tower, surmounted by a high domed lantern, marking the main entrance above which was a balustraded balcony within an arch all below a split pediment.

The auditorium was horse-shoe shaped with stalls, pit, dress circle and gallery. To either side of the proscenium arch (tall, rectangular but with rounded corners) an unusually wide box at both upper levels, the same width as the rectangularly coffered sounding board.

After the war and a few successful years of repertory, Arts Council funding was diverted from the Salisbury Playhouse to the Grand, but its fortunes declined with the theatre owner presenting shows of a tawdry nature, with the odd "mobile" nude. Commander Cooper of the Theatre Royal Portsmouth leased it for a short time but failed to save it from closure. The site was redeveloped.

Built / Converted
1898
Dates of use
  • 1898 - 1959
Current state
Demolished
Current use
Demolished (closed for part of WWII)
Address
West Marlands, Southampton, Hampshire, England
Website-
Further details
Other names
New Hippodrome , New Grand Theatre
Events
  • Owner/Management: later: executor, Messrs David Allen & Sons?
  • Owner/Management: F J B Theatres Ltd (F J Butterworth), owner
  • 1898 Design/Construction:
    M Jenkins (Southampton)
    - Architect
  • 1898 Owner/Management: Messrs Morell & Mouillot
  • 1898 - 1959 Use:
  • 1910 Alteration: kinematograph equipment installed
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1930 - 1939 Alteration: new ‘rolling stage’ installed to facilitate scene changes
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1939 Alteration: redecorated, reseated, re-lighted to open as New Hippodrome
    A J Seal (Bournemouth)
    - Architect
  • 1959 Owner/Management: Commander Cooper (Theatre Royal Portsmouth), lessee for duration of a production before closure
Capacities
-
Listings
  • Listing
    Not listed
Stage type
Proscenium rake
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 30ft
Proscenium width: -
Height to grid: 50ft
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: Original