Bijou Theatre and Ballroom, Gorddingog Estate, Abergwyngregyn
A bijou theatre and ball-room has just been added to Gorddinog House, the residence of the present mayor of Bangor city, and it was used for the first time on Wednesday week. The room is 50ft. by 30ft., and 23ft. in height. The ceiling is domical, and all the light is admitted from the centre. The floor is of polished oak, and the walls are hung with grey cloth and lace, divided by festoons of crimson velvet. At one end is a minstrels' gallery for twelve performers, and at the other a stage extending backward 19ft., and when this is not used for performances or dances the stage can be lifted up, displaying a swimming bath, with decorated tile sides and bottom. At the rear are dressing-rooms. Underneath the theatre is an American skittle alley. The architect is Mr. Bell, of Manchester. [Building News 18 July 1884 page 108]
THE MAYOR OF BANGOR’S MANSION. Gorddinog, the charmingly situated mansion of Major Platt, in rapidly becoming, if it is not already, one of the most complete seats it Carnarvonshire. The present week has witnessed the completion of another attractive addition - a bijou theatre and ball room, whose dimensions are fifty feet by thirty feet, and twenty-three feet high. The building is approached from the house by a corridor*. The floor of the room is of polished oak, supported on springs so as to secure elasticity for dancing. On the left of the theatre is a minstrels' gallery sufficiently large to accommodate a band of twelve performers. When the room is not used for dancing or banqueting, the walls are prepared to act as a racquet court, and the shape of the building to a certain extent has been planned so as to carry out such arrangements. The only light admitted is from the top, the ceiling being circular. The walls are draped with grey cloth and lace laid over it, divided by crimson velvet, festooned. At the end of the room is a stage raised rather mare than four feet from the main floor, and about nineteen feet back from the room, with footlights and everything necessary for working the scenery for theatrical performances. The floor rises towards the back. When the stage is not used the floor is removed, and under it is arranged a beautiful swimming bath with white and decorated tiles. At the rear there are a series of dressing rooms with the necessary lavatories and other conveniences. Below the ballroom is a space in which chairs, etc., can be stored. This is entered by means of a trap door, and underneath is an American skittle alley. The architect, under whose personal supervision the whole work has been carried out, is Mr Bell, of Manchester, who designed the Masonic Hall in Bangor for which is the property of the Mayor of Bangor.
The first use for theatrical purposes made of the building was on Wednesday, when, through the kind invitation of Major and Mrs Platt many of the inhabitants of Llanfairfechan and the surrounding neighbourhood, including many from Bangor, witnessed a dress rehearsal of a comedy in three acts adapted to the English stage by Mr Sydney Platt of Bryn y neuadd, entitled: “A Trip to the West Indies." [North Wales Chronicle 12 July 1884 page 5]
*. In 1910 the corridor between the House and ballroom were replaced by a glass domed loggia where tropical plants were displayed and from which was gained a delightful view of a lily pond, with fountain, and a steeply terraced rockery which led the eye to the rhododendron festooned hillside. Architect H L North
Major, later Colonel Henry Platt was the son of John Platt of Oldham. He took a great interest in the affairs of Bangor and became the first mayor of the city in 1883.