Building Name

Victoria Theatre Lower Broughton Salford

Date
1899 - 1900
Street
Great Clowes Street
District/Town
Lower Broughton, Salford
County/Country
GMCA, England
Architect
Client
Broughton Theatres Syndicate Limited
Work
New Build
Status
Closed
Listed
Grade II
Contractor
Browns of Salford

Designed by Bertie Crewe, one of the foremost theatre architects of his day, and with the foundation stone laid by Sir Henry Irving in October 1899, the Victoria was the third of Salford's Victorian theatres. The introduction of structural steel in the late Victorian period allowed architects much greater freedom in the design of theatre interiors and in the Victoria, the balconies span full width without intermediate support. Balcony fronts are decorated with rows of winged sprites while muscular Atlases support the upper boxes.

The theatre was opened on 10 December 1900. It showed its first film in November 1901, when Thomas Edison's Animated Picture Company held a show, repeated in December of the same year. In 1907 the Filmographic Animated Picture Company showed colour films. Despite a programme of live theatre that changed weekly, the theatre was used more and more for the showing of films. In 1910 it was purchased by J.P. Moore and Montague Beaudyn who were granted a cinema licence in 1913. Films were changed nightly in the early years but in April 1917 it returned to use as a theatre. On 6 January 1919 it reopened exclusively as a cinema. The Salford City Reporter noted that the architect, Mr Watson, had practically reconstructed the interior, the ceilings being decorated with drawings of the early Victorian period. A cafe also appears to have been opened at this time. Talkies were introduced on 30 September 1930. The Victoria remained a cinema until its closure on 19 July 1958. although occasional theatre productions were still staged at the theatre in the early 1960s. After a period as a clothing warehouse, the building was reopened as a bingo hall called the Victoria Social Club in 1973.

PROPOSED THEATRE. BROUGHTON LANCASHIRE - It is proposed to erect a new theatre, to be called the Victoria, in Lower Broughton. A site at the corner of Great Clowes-street and Elton-street has been secured and the plans for the new house have been prepared by Mr Bertie Crewe of London. The Victoria Theatre will have a main frontage of 74 feet on Great Clowes-street side and a depth of 180 feet along Elton-street and Picton-place. [The Builder 18 March 1899 vol I Page 281]

Sir Henry Irving has consented to lay the memorial stone of the new Victoria Theatre, Lower Broughton, on Wednesday next. The new theatre is being erected to the order of the Broughton Theatres Syndicate Limited, and will work in conjunction with the Salford Regent. [Manchester Guardian 30 September 1899 Page 5 Column 2]

Yesterday Sir Henry Irving laid the memorial stone of a theatre which is to be built in Broughton, Salford at the junction of Great Clowes Street and Sussex Street. The new theatre is to be called the Victoria. While the main frontage is to Great Clowes Street, the theatre will be open to three streets, an important consideration in cases of emergency. The building promises to be a handsome one. The front is to be of terra cotta divided by Ionic pilasters into five bold bays, the centre one surmounted by a carved pediment and a handsome dome. The decorations of the interior are to be in Louis Quatorze style. The architect is Bernie Crewe and Sir Henry Irving complimented him very cordially on the design in the course of the remarks he made in connection with the laying of the stone. The undertaking is, we understand, in the hands of the syndicate which controls the Regent Theatre. .... Sir Henry Irving was accompanied by Mr Bram Stoker. ... Mr B Crewe, the architect of the building, presented the distinguished actor with a mallet and silver trowel. [Manchester Guardian 5 October 1899 Page5]

Sir Henry Irving laid the memorial stone of a theatre which is to be built in Broughton, Salford at the junction of Great Clowes Street and Sussex Street on the 4th inst. The new theatre is to be called the Victoria. While the main frontage is to Great Clowes Street, the theatre will be open to three streets, an important consideration in cases of emergency. The building frontage is to be terra cotta divided by Ionic pilasters into five bays, the centre one surmounted by a carved pediment and dome. The decorations of the interior are to be in Louis Quatorze style. The architect is Bernie Crewe and Sir Henry Irving complimented him very cordially on the design in the course of the remarks he made in connection with the laying of the stone. The undertaking is, we understand, in the hands of the syndicate which controls the Regent Theatre. [British Architect 13 October 1899 Page 268]

OPENING OF THE VICTORIA THEATRE, BROUGHTON – The new Victoria Theatre at Broughton, the foundation stone of which was laid a little more than a year ago by Sir Henry Irving, was opened for the first time yesterday. The theatre is a worthy addition to the public buildings of Salford. It occupies a striking position in Great Clowes Street, and with its ornamental front of red terra-cotta, divided by Ionic pilasters into five bold bays, presents a decidedly pleasing appearance. Within, the distinctive feature of the theatre is its spaciousness. From the main entrance a handsome vestibule leads direct into the grand foyer, a hall 34 feet long and 18 feet wide, with marble mosaic floor, walls panelled in fibrous plaster, and hand painted ceiling. From the foyer are corridors branching off to the stalls, dress circle and grand saloon. The auditorium is planned upon the composite two-tier principal, one advantage of which is that there are no intervening pillars to obstruct the view. There are stalls, pit stalls and pit on the ground tier, dress circle and balcony on the first tier and large gallery on the second tier. The theatre will hold about 2,000 spectators. The stage is an exceptionally large one. Its width is 74 feet, the distance from the curtain line to the back wall is 40 feet, the distance from stage to grid is 50 feet, and the proscenium opening is 30 feet in width. The decorations of the house are in the style of the fFirst Empire, and the prevailing tones are ivory and gold. The upholstery and hangings are rose, and the carpeting pale green in colour. The building has been designed by the architect Mr Bertie Crewe of London, to whom also is due the effective scheme of decoration adopted. {Manchester Guardian 11 December 1900 page 4]

VICTORIA THEATRE - This theatre, which has been erected near the junction of Great Clowes Street and Lower Broughton Road, has just been opened. The front of the building is of terra cotta. On the ground floor are three shops, the main entrance and the pit entrance. The front is divided by pilasters into bays, the centre one being surmounted by a carved pediment, above which is an attic storey with a copper dome and iron cresting. From the main entrance the vestibule is centred; this is 24' long by 16' wide with mosaic flooring and marble dado. To the left is the pay box to all parts of the house, and to the right a stair to the balcony. Facing the entrance from the street the vestibule opens direct into the grand foyer 34 feet by 18 feet with mosaic flooring, walls panelled in fibrous plaster and painted ceiling. From the foyer runs a corridor leading direct to the stalls, dress circle and grand saloon. The auditorium is planned upon the composite two tier principle having orchestra stalls, pit stalls and pit on the ground floor dress circle and balcony above. Higher up the gallery and on each side of the stage front are two boxes. Seats are provided for 2000 persons but the holding capacity of the theatre is estimated at 2500. The grand saloon for the dress circle and balcony is 42 feet long and 25 feet wide and the orchestra stalls have their own saloon on the same floor. The lighting of the theatre is at present by gas but electric light fittings have been installed in view of future requirements. The stage is 40 feet from the curtain line to the back wall; 74 feet in width and nearly 60 feet from the stage to the grid. The proscenium opening is 32 feet in width. Abutting the stage are 18 dressing rooms as well as property rooms. Mr Bertie Crewe of London was the architect. Messrs William Brown & Sons of Salford having been the principal contractors. The cost has been nearly ,25,000. [Builder 5 January 1901 Page 23]

It showed its first film in November 1901, when Thomas Edison's Animated Picture Company held a show, repeated in December of the same year. In 1907 the Filmographic Animated Picture Company showed colour films. Despite a programme of live theatre that changed weekly, the theatre was used more and more for the showing of films. In 1910 it was purchased by J.P. Moore and Montague Beaudyn who were granted a cinema licence in 1913. Films were changed nightly in the early years but in April 1917 it returned to use as a theatre. On 6 January 1919 it reopened exclusively as a cinema. The Salford City Reporter noted that the architect, Mr Watson, had practically reconstructed the interior, the ceilings being decorated with drawings of the early Victorian period. A cafe also appears to have been opened at this time. Talkies were introduced on 30 September 1930. The Victoria remained a cinema until its closure on 19 July 1958, although occasional theatre productions were still staged at the theatre in the early 1960s. After a period as a clothing warehouse, the building was reopened as a bingo hall called the Victoria Social Club in 1973. 2018 - closed and vacant.

Reference    The Builder 18 March 1899 vol I Page 281
Reference    Manchester Guardian 30 September 1899 Page 5 Column 2
Reference    Manchester Guardian Thursday 5 October 1899 Page 5
Reference    British Architect 13 October 1899 Page 268
Reference    Manchester Guardian 11 December 1900 page 4 - opening
Reference    Builder 5 January 1901 Page 23