Opera House, Lord Street, Southport

Built at a cost £20,000 as an opera theatre with seating for 1,492, the Opera House opened on 7 September 1891. Proscenium opening 27 feet, stage width 52 feet (1910). Decorations by the Plastic Decoration Co.

The opera house is situated between the Lord Street Railway station and the Winter gardens entrance, and has a frontage to Lord Street, The work was commenced in October last from the designs of Mr Frank Matcham, architect, London, The elevation to Lord Street is of mixed Flemish design with Moorish octagonal turrets surmounted by domes and finials made by Messrs Fambrini & Daniels, of Lincoln in their 'Imperishable Red Concrete Masonry'. The facade is of red brick relieved with modelled art panels emblematic of Music, Poetry, Art and the Drama. These, together with the moulded cornices, string  courses, animal grotesque corbels, scroll work to gables, &c., being of the red concrete before mentioned. The turrets act as ventilators to various parts of the building. The theatre is lighted by the Swan electric light. Over the main entrance is a balcony, at the back of which is an elaborately modelled screen in red concrete, consisting of five pilasters supporting semi circular panels, enriched with appropriate ornament. Between these are three medallion portraits in full relief of Shakespeare, Garrick, and Beethoven. The whole of the screen and portraits were modelled and produced in their red concrete masonry by Messrs Fairbain & Daniels, Lincoln. The general contractors for the erection of the building were Messrs R. Neill & Sons, of Manchester, and the total cost, exclusive of site, has been about £20,000. [The Builder, 12 September 1891]

Reference    The Builder, 12 September 1891 page 215
Reference    Manchester Guardian 8 September 1891 page 5
Reference    Manchester Guardian 21 December 1929 page 16 – destroyed by fire