Queen's Theatre Peel Street Farnworth

PROPOSED THEATRE, FARNWORTH - A special session of the county magistrates was held recently at the County Police-Court, Haulgh, to consider an application for the granting of a theatrical licence for a theatre to be erected in Farnworth. The architects are Messrs. Bradshaw & Gass. [Builder 11 June 1898 page 572]

The new Queen’s Theatre, in Peel street, erected in 1899, from designs by Messrs. Bradshaw and Gass F.R.I.B.A, of Bolton, is arranged on the method known as “Sir Henry Irving's safety plan,” and will hold 2,000 persons. [Kelly's Directory of Lancashire (1905)]

The Queens Theatre contained a 28 feet wide proscenium, a 50 feet deep stage and eight dressing rooms. Re-named the New Queens Theatre in 1912 it provided a mixed programme of dramatic plays, music hall and varieties. Bioscope shows were part of the programming from the outset but in September 1922 live theatre ceased and the building was converted to a full-time cinema. Re-named the Ritz in 1929, by October 1937 it became part of the ABC (Associated British Cinemas) chain. The cinema finally closed on 30 October 1971 and was subsequently demolished.

Previous Names: Queens Theatre, New Queens Theatre, Ritz Cinema, ABC, Studio 1

Reference    Builder 11 June 1898 Page 572
Reference    Kelly's Directory of Lancashire (1905)
Reference    Cinema Treasures website