Grand Theatre and Hippodrome, Market Street, Leigh

NEW GRAND THEATRE AND HIPPODROME, LEIGH, LANCASHIRE - This new theatre is situated in Market Street, close to the town-hall, the rear abutting on the Avenue, and wide passages exist on each side of the building. The principal entrance is in Market Street, and consists of a spacious vestibule with pay-office in the centre. The floor is finished in mosaic, the walls having a tiled dado, with plaster above. A wide flight of steps leads from the vestibule to the various parts of the house. The entrances to pit and galleries are placed in the side passages. A basement is provided in the front portion of the building and comprises large refreshment room, smoke-room, ladies and gentlemen's lavatories etc, the heating chamber being under the dressing-rooms at the stage end of the building. The front portion of the building on the main floor is utilised for four lock-up shops. The pit accommodates 720. In front of the pit are four rows of orchestra stalls, giving accommodation for about 110. The stage is large, and is fitted up with all the latest improvements. The retiring rooms adjoin the stage. The circle seats 360. Two boxes are provided on this floor, one on each side of the proscenium opening. The usual lavatory accommodation for both ladies and gentlemen is provided on this floor, the manager's office also being on this level. A mezzanine floor is formed between the circle and gallery; over the front portion of the building, on which has been provided a large refreshment room, ladies' room, and store. This floor is approached from the back of the circle. A gallery is provided, giving seating for 700. Ample emergency exits have been provided to each floor. The staircases are of fireproof construction, and are enclosed in brick walls. The walls are of brick, the front facing Market Street being finished in red bricks. The constructional work is executed in steel. The roofs, carried by steel principals, are boarded, felted, and slated. All inside walls are plastered, the more important parts, such as the ceiling over the auditorium, proscenium front, box fronts, and fronts to galleries and circle being finished in ornamental fibrous plaster. The outside dressings to the front are in buff terracotta. The lighting is by electric light. The ventilation is by means of extractors placed on the roofs, with fresh air inlets in water. Mr Isaac Webster has acted as clerk of works. Messrs Prescott and Bold, King Street, Wigan, are the architects. [Building News 12 November 1909 page717]

LEIGH’S NEW PLACE OF AMUSEMENT - The Grand Theatre and Hippodrome at Leigh, (Managing Director Mr W Benson) is to be opened next Monday. The entrance to the better class portions of the house is situated in Leigh Road, in the centre of the main front, and consists of a spacious vestibule with a pay office in the centre. The floor of this vestibule being finished in mosaic, and the walls having a tiled dado, with plaster above. A handsome wide flight of steps leads from the vestibule to the various parts of the house. The entrances to pit and gallery are placed in the side passages. A basement is provided in the front portion of the building, and comprises a large refreshment room, smoke room, ladies and gentlemen’s lavatories, etc. The heating apparatus has been placed under the dressing rooms, located in a separate building attached to the external wall of the stage house. The heating is by hot water on a low pressure system, by means of pipes and ornamental radiators. Special attention has been given to the ventilation, powerful extractors being placed on the roofs with fresh air inlets in the walls. The lighting is by electric light, by means of ornamental electroliers and brackets.
The building has been thoroughly protected in all parts by up-to-date fire appliances, comprising fire hydrants with hose, fire buckets, and chemical extinguishers. The front portion of the building on the ground floor is utilised by the provision of two lock up shops.

The Auditorium - The pit is large and commodious having seating accommodation for 720, each person having an uninterrupted view of the stage, the floor being made to fall towards the stage with this object in view. In front of the pit are four rows of orchestral stalls, formed of handsome tip up seats giving accommodation for about 110. The stage is large, and is fitted up with all the latest improvements. The circle is reached by a handsome staircase leading out of the vestibule. The floor is stepped down towards the front to give all a good view of the stage. The seats are comprised of tip up chairs and provide accommodation for 360. Handsome boxes are provided on this floor, one on each side of the proscenium opening. There is ample promenading space at the back of the circle. The usual conveniences are provided on this floor, the manager’s office also being on this level. A mezzanine floor is formed between the circle and gallery, over the front portion of the building on which has been provided a large refreshment room, ladies room and store. This floor is approached from the back of the circle. A large and spacious gallery has been provided giving seating accommodation for 700 people. The floor is well stepped up from front to back, to give a good view of the stage, in all the seating capacity being 1,892. Ample emergency exits have been provided to each floor, so that in case of need the whole building could be emptied in a few minutes. All doors open outwards, and the emergency exits are provided with patent panic bolts. The whole of the staircases are of fireproof construction and are enclosed in brick walls.

The Fabric - The building is Free Renaissance in style and built entirely of brick. The front, facing Leigh Road, is faced with the best facing bricks. The main constructional work is executed in steel and the roofs carried by steel principals, are boarded, fitted and slated. All inside walls are plastered, the more important parts such as the ceiling over the auditorium, the proscenium front, box fronts and fronts to circle and gallery being finished in ornamental fibrous plaster. The outside dressings to the front are carried out in buff terra-cotta. The cupolas shown on the original artist’s rendering of the building have been replaced by semi-circular pediments and a simpler roofline.

Mr Isaac Webster has acted as clerk of works, and the whole work has been carried out from the designs and under the supervision of Messrs’ Prescott and Bold, architects, 8, King Street, Wigan” – 
[ The Journal 11th December 1908. Leigh’s New Place of Amusement.]

OPENING OF THE HIPPODROME - There was a crowded attendance on Monday afternoon at the opening of the Leigh Grand Theatre and Hippodrome. The audience included the Mayor (Councillor W Harrison JP) and many Aldermen and Councillors. The managing director, Mr W Benson, having formally opened the proceedings, Miss Forster, daughter of the chairman of directors of the Company led the singing of the National Anthem. A first rate programme had been arranged for the opening week, and if the performances are kept to this high level, as we are assured they will be, there can be no doubt as to the success of Leigh’s new place of amusement. The star turn is that of the Elliott Savonas, a musical combination of eight artists who have appeared with great success at many of the leading halls in this country.

It is a magnificent electrically-illuminated setting of a large variety of musical instruments, including three fine organs, sets of bells, xylophones,etc., which are used to admirable effect in a “storm scene,“ which alone is well worth going to hear. A number of saxophone selections are beautifully rendered, operatic numbers especially proving great favourites with the audience. Another excellent turn is that of the Four Sisters Netherland, singers and barefoot dancers, who come direct from the London Coliseum with their latest sensation, “The Tale of the Stockings.” The Lauri Brothers, who had the honour of providing the first turn at the Hippodrome, are refined and smart acrobats, and another very clever act is that of Kyoto, Japanese contortionist, comedy juggler,etc,. Jolly Johnny Walker proves himself a spirited comedian, his sketch, “Before and after the Match,” especially appealing to footballers. Miss May Geraldine, comedienne and dancer; and the Empire “cinematograph” complete an excellent programme which is given twice nightly at 6-50 and 9pm.,with a day performance every Monday at 2-30pm. A “grand picture matinee” has been arranged for Saturday at 2-30pm.” – [The Journal 18th December 1908.]

Projection Equipment was installed at the Theatre as early as 1923 but live shows continued to be staged.


Reference    Building News 12 November 1909 Page 717 and illustration
Reference    The Leigh Journal 11th December 1908. - Leigh’s New Place of Amusement.
Reference    The Leigh Journal 18th December 1908  - Opening of the Hippodrome
Reference    Arthur Lloyd.co.uk website