New Empire Theatre and Hippodrome, Deansgate West, Bolton
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN BOLTON - On Tuesday much public curiosity was evidenced in the delivery int o the new Empire Theatre now rising in Deansgate of a gigantic girder intended to support the front gallery in that building. The girder, which was made at the Hutton Ironworks of Messrs J Booth and Sons is 9.5 tons in weight, 67 feet long and 4 feet 3 inches deep, and consequently it was something of a feat to transfer it from the works to Deansgate and thence into the building itself. [Farnworth Chronicle - Saturday 1 February 1908 page 6]
BOLTON'S NEW EMPIRE THEATRE - Important building improvements are being carried out in the westerly portion of Deansgate, and one of these just finished is a new hall of entertainment erected by Mr. Thomas Hargreaves of Rochdale. It is designated the Empire and Hippodrome, and the building. which has a frontage of 66 feet 6 inches to Deansgate. has a handsome exterior. The materials used are stone and brick. and the facade is built of Yorkshire parpoint« with ashlar dressings. Messrs. Butterworth and Duncan. FRIBA., Rochdale. have prepared the plans for the theatre which will give accommodation for a large number of patrons Workmen are now busily engaged in giving the finishing touches to the interior and at the opening, which is fixed to take on Monday next. the patrons will step into cosy-looking house. Every available inch of space has been made use of and a feature in the construction of the building is the entire absence of pillars, the audience in the pit and balcony having an uninterrupted view of the stage. The rake of the pit will enable everyone in that part of the house to view the performance under the most favourable conditions. There only one gallery at the front of which is the circle which rises to a great height.
A bright and effective colour scheme has been adopted. and the decorations give warmth to the interior. The dominating tones are cream, gold, red. green and blue. Tho proscenium has received elaborate treatment, which makes a striking effect. In dimension it is 25 feet in height and 30 feet in width. Columns of Breccia marble support the arch. which is surmounted by a decorative device. which
introduced the lyre and graceful sculptured figures. On the wall above is a festoon of flowers and this adds greatly to the genera effect. The proscenium is flanked on each side by a box. which has a dome-shaped roof on the top of which is a figure supporting an electric light. The ceiling has received free decorative treatment and as it has a wide span. a pretty effect is produced. It is divided into 38 panels
in which are painted graceful figures, typifying the seasons, and scroll work with the names of the great composers. The walls are hung with art red paper and dado to match. In the orchestral stalls and circle tip-up chairs are provided and the upholstery is in harmony with the general scheme of decoration. The theatre is lighted with electricity, and every attention has been paid to the ventilation which is carried out on the latest principle. The principal entrance is in Deansgate. The vestibule is decorated with Breccia and Genoa marble and the floor laid with black and white marble tiles. Some pretty stained-glass windows are placed in the front of the building
The following contractors have been engaged on the undertaking - Iron and steel work Messrs. John Booth and Son, Bolton, Mr. J F. Endersley. Rochdale; decoration and seating. Messrs Goodalls, Manchester; fibrous plaster and marble work. Mr. J. Alberti. Manchester: electric lighting. Mr. Norris. Oldham; plumbing and glazing. R. Cuerden and Son, Bolton; ventilation, Mr. Hargreaves, Bury; and slating, Messrs Warr and Company, Bolton.
It is the intention of the proprietor to give an excellent entertainment to his patrons. Mr. Hargreaves has had an experience extending over 40 years of theatrical matters. and in his early career he appeared before Bolton audiences at the Museum, Churchgate, when it was conducted by Mr. J. Pitney Weston. He is a pioneer of the system of two performances nightly. A big bill is announced for the opening performance. The company engaged include the Jeni Troope of Risley performers, the Royal Welsh Entertainers. and other well-known artists. [Bolton Evening News - Monday 17 August 1908 page 3]
The Bolton public will very shortly—the date of the opening being Monday, 24 August - be in possession of an elegant, cosy, new place of entertainment, which is rapidly approaching completion in Deansgate West. We refer to the Empire and Hippodrome. the erection of which, by proprietor (Mr. Thos. Hargreaves of Rochdale) has been watched with much interest by passers-by in this busy thoroughfare during the past few months. The new building which has a frontage of 66 feet 6in. to Deansgate presents a handsome exterior. It is built of Yorkshire parpoints with ashlar dressings, the remainder of the elevation of brick and stone. The architectural design is by Messrs Butterworth and Duncan F.R.I.B.A„ Rochdale.
Internally, the new theatre presents a most agreeable combination of spaciousness and bright decorative effect. the predominant tones being green. red. cream and gold. The ceiling is arched and panelled, the latter arrangement being utilised for a series of hand-painted classical figures and the names of musical celebrities wrought in gold, blue and salmon tints. The proscenium has been the object of elaborate decorative treatment. Its dimensions are 28 feet high and 30 feet wide, its effect is very striking. The upper part is clouded, relieved with hand-painted festoons, and surmounting the arch is a fine decorative device, introducing the classic lyre with graceful sculptured figures on either side, whilst support is given by marble pillars below. To the extreme right and left are private boxes, also with surmounting figures and decorated in cream, blue, and gold. The circle front is also etched in cream, blue, and gold. whilst the walls of the building generally are hung with art red paper, and dado to match. The upholstering and other furnishing will be in harmony with the general scheme of decoration and in both the orchestral stalls and circle tip-up chairs are provided. A complete electric lighting installation, and also gas for use if required, is being laid; the ventilation has received careful consideration and numerous exits are provided. The principal access from Deansgate is gained by a large and handsome vestibule, with stained windows lending a pretty effect. A feature of the interior is the view afforded of the stage, the balcony being carried by cantilevers and the roof constructed with circular steel trusses, thus obviating intervening columns. The fittings and furnishings are by the well-known firm of Goodalls (Manchester) and the steel work by John Booth and Sons (Bolton). There will be a popular tariff of charges. The sole proprietor and manager is Mr. Thomas Hargreaves, and the general manager Mr. T. Hargreaves, jun. [Farnworth Chronicle Saturday 15 August 1908 page 8]
Reference Farnworth Chronicle - Saturday 1 February 1908 page 6 – steelwork
Reference Bolton Evening News - Monday 17 August 1908 page 3
Reference Farnworth Chronicle Saturday 15 August 1908 page 8 with illustration
Reference Music Hall and Theatre Review - Friday 28 August 1908 page 12
Reference The Era - Saturday 29 August 1908 page 23
