Theatre Royal Ainsworth Street Blackburn

in 1886 Frank Matcham was asked to alter the Theatre Royal in Blackburn for James F. Elliston. This was only a small scheme but on both a personal and professional level the project proved to be of the greatest importance. Elliston and Matcham had many interests in common. A long friendship followed, during which time; they found each other's company congenial and the Elliston family connections would bring numerous commissions to Matcham. The theatre stood on the site of former theatres which went back to at least the beginning of the nineteenth century. Matcham's work in 1886 involved alteration and reconstruction. It was again reconstructed in 1909 and 1913. Built as a drama theatre, by 1908 it was licensed for drama and variety In 1931 the theatre became a cinema and in 1967 it was demolished to make way for central redevelopment.

Capacity 2,500. Proscenium opening 22 feet, stage depth 45 feet, stage width 38 feet (1912).