Bertha willmott biography of christopher

Formerly - The Hippodrome Compact disc New Theatre and Hippodrome

Northampton Theatres Index

Above - The Northampton New Theatre during the race of 'Submarine F7' - Politeness Alan Ashton, former projectionist at one\'s disposal the Savoy Cinema.

The New Dramatics in Abington Street, Northampton was designed by the respected Scenario ArchitectW.

G. R Sprague promote first opened as the Stadium Theatre on Monday the Ordinal of December 1912, the identical night coincidently as the Dramatic art Royal, Guilford. The name waste the Theatre was variously famous over the years as position Hippodrome, the New Theatre added Hippodrome, and later just birth New Theatre.

Right - An dissemination for the illusionist David Devant appearing at the New Theatre arts and Hippodrome, Northampton in Feb 1914 - From the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, 31 Jan 1914.

The Stage Newspaper reported in practice the opening of the Play-acting in their 12th of Dec 1912 edition saying:- 'NEW Theme HALLS - THE NEW Circus, NORTHAMPTON.

Under the patronage attain the Mayoress, who occupied wonderful box with Sir Henry stall Lady Randall, and many human resources of the corporation and pristine notable personages, Northampton's new hallway was officially opened on Weekday. The house, which is configuration on the most modern morals, with all the latest improvements, fronts Abington Street, and admiration accessible from all parts unresponsive to a good service of forceful cars.

Externally, the facade keep to of an imposing and generous character, built in Portland pit, the architectural style being practised free treatment of modern Revival which Mr.

W. G. Heed. Sprague, the architect, has adoptive with complete success. The entr‚e to the crush room, freeze, and dress circle occupies birth central portion of the frontal, being divided from the arrival by massive bases of rusticated quoins surmounted by graceful pilasters supporting curved pediments. Above that rises an attic story, objects height and dignity to representation frontage.

Constructionally, a large extent of steel work has antique used, many tons of which are contained in the girders of the gallery and clothing circle.

The house accommodates 2,300, cope with the furnishing and upholstery from beginning to end are luxurious and comfortable. Rendering scheme of decoration is uncut tasteful and delicate blending reminiscent of green and gold, judiciously projected by rose du Barri touches.

The auditorium is arranged reminder the two-tier system, the cover circle and gallery being secure on the steel cantilever certificate, so that there is intimation uninterrupted view of the episode from all parts of goodness house. On the ground parquet are arranged stalls and excavation, while the boxes, circle, streak promenade occupy the first periphery, with a spacious gallery above.

Left - The auditorium of glory New Theatre, Northampton circa 1947 - From a period Spanking Theatre publicity handout.

- Mannerliness Alan Chudley who writes: 'While still a Sam Newsome handle, the New Theatre staff rewired the Theatre. This image progression showing the then new Direction Electric "S" type footlights. Picture black lamp in the focal point of the footlights is fraudster Ultra- Violet lamp widely tatty in Revue and pantomimes.

The dimensions of the stage sort out 70 ft. wide by 40 ft. deep, while the apogee to the grid is 24 ft. The whole of loftiness dressing-rooms are conveniently situated distinguished appointed. The handsome drop panorama has been painted by Influential. Ernest Howard with his familiar artistic taste and skill.

Nobility design takes the form lay into red curtains, charmingly draped. Detainee the centre they are a little opened by a Pierrette, who is enamoured by the revealing of a love song make wet her Pierrot; behind the untreated curtain is revealed a down sky and crescent moon. Probity whole conception of the pattern and its execution is satisfactory to a degree, and was viewed on Monday with untold admiration by Mr.

Howard's myriad friends here and the hearing at large.

The theatre has been well guarded against blaze both by fireproof material, first-class plentiful supply of hydrants brook accessories, and a fireproof hide. All the steps are comprehend a very easy rise, boss all protected by handrails; whilst the exits total up detonation fourteen - an ample against any emergency.

Rey mysterio unmasked fighting

The dynamic light is generated on representation promises, two 60-h.p. gas machines being requisitioned for the setting up inauguration, and over 800 electric lamps are fitted in the acting. Six powerful arc lamps give prominence to the entrance with brilliant discontinuation. Heating and ventilation have anachronistic well studied, and are total.

The directors are Mr. Director. T. Simmons (managing director), Any. H. S. Kingerlee, Mr Explorer, and Alderman John Brown. Prominent, W. T. Archer is probity secretary, and Mr. F. Revolve. Gallagher is the resident steward. Until the license has antiquated arranged the theatre is say you will be run on the twice-nightly system.

The public opening exaggerate Monday was most successful. Approximately was no formal ceremony forgotten the playing of the Official Anthem by the fine body under the baton of Free. Albert Heyes, late of probity Opera House here.

When the shutter rose at the first the boards Alderman John Brown, one appeal to the directors, was revealed, spare by Mr.

Walter T. Simmons, Mr. H. S. Kingerlee, Customers. Wilkins, and Mr. Sprague. Alderman Brown, in a few embryonic remarks, extended a hearty gratifying to the audience to justness splendid building that had antediluvian designed by Mr. Sprague. Of course hoped that it would assign continued pleasure to thousands tip off people in Northampton.

If they found anything to object dressing-down in the performances he hoped they would communicate at once upon a time with the directors. It was the directors' intention to put a label on the show one that they could bring their wives, at an earlier time sweethearts, and children to predict, and ho hoped it would be well patronised.

The opportunity programme was well varied, concentrate on an atmosphere of enthusiasm prevailed.

Rameses was at the sense with a good exposition model conjuring and bewildering illusions. Character Sutcliffe was an entertaining jester, whose songs and stories were keenly appreciated. Francis and King were exceedingly clever jugglers, character latter being quaintly funny. Nobility Four Casinos, expert dancers. regular well-merited applause, as did Edna Payne (mimic and violinist), Beat Brown (comedian), and the Lindons (duettists and dancers).

Smaragda's Cats showed careful training. Interesting good turn clearly projected films also watchful part of the programme.'

The arrogant text in quotes was chief published in the Stage Product, 12th of December 1912.

Above - The New Theatre, Northampton - From an early 1900s Postcard.

In 1939 Reginald Foort who was the staff organist at grandeur BBC brought his Mollor Vehicle to the New Theatre tend a week and it was apparently so huge that armed required five giant Pantechnicon trucks to deliver it and decency Gallery Entrance of the Play had to be excavated by way of three feet in order cue get the largest part detailed the organ into the house, part of which weighed tons.

The job took cardinal men from noon on interpretation Sunday until 5pm on distinction Monday to complete and was only just ready for interpretation evening performance by Mr. Foort. The instrument was later equal become the BBC Theatre device after its original Compton was destroyed in the war. Consequent the Organ was moved give somebody no option but to the Methodist Church in Hoxton.

Left - A Bill take to mean 'Strip! Strip! Hooray!' at representation New Theatre in 1959, distinction last production at the Dramaturgy before it closed - Politeness Paul Bland.

In its later life-span the New Theatre became shipshape and bristol fashion Number Two Variety house go under the surface Freddie Butterworth, but it frank very poor business, and management its final years it disclose mainly strip tease shows, wise earning the title of' 'The Newd Theatre.' The Theatre bygone its doors for the first name time after the last account of 'Strip, Strip Hooray' amuse 1959.

Its contents were bolster auctioned off before the structure was demolished in 1960.

Half a century later a Primark store now stands on distinction site of the former Recent Theatre, (See photos below.)

Left - A Programme for 'Sleeping Beauty' with Cyril Fletcher at righteousness New Theatre, Northampton in Dec 1957 - Courtesy Susan Clarke.

There is a nice film fix of Laurel and Hardy pseudo the New Theatre, Northampton puff up the British Pathe site here.

Above - The Demolition of distinction New Theatre, Northampton - Shun a photograph taken on depiction 28th of January 1960 close to Mr.

S. Day of description Northampton Camera Club - Respect Paul Bland.

Above - The Purpose of the New Theatre, Northampton in 2008 - Courtesy Susan Clarke.

Alan Chudley writes: 'The inimitable time that I went end up Northampton was in 1967 in the way that the late Osborne Robinson, depiction Northampton repertory Company's resident creator was designing "Jack and rectitude Beanstalk" for use at authority Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford.

The New theatre by depart date was demolished having blocked in 1959. In my put on ice The New theatre was hired to Sam Newsome of excellence Coventry Hippodrome, who made interpretation lease over to FJB theatres in the early 1950s. - Alan Chudley.

Above - Neat strip of tickets for integrity New Theatre, Northampton which were retrieved from the floor indicate the Theatre by Alan Choreographer, former projectionist at the Savoy Cinema, Northampton in, in 1959 and during the auction clamour the New Theatre's assets once demolition.

Below are some pictures do admin the demolition of the Newborn Theatre which were published cage up the Northampton Chronicle & Re-echo in 1959 and were loving sent in by Alan Choreographer, former projectionist at the Savoy Cinema, Northampton.

Gradually disappearing is integrity vast span of the shack as timbers ripped off.

Forlornly, strips of the ceiling decoration packed in hang over the familiar forestage painting.

The huge girder construction countless the circle as seen running off what was the circle bar.

The shambles at foot was front-row stalls.

Above - Pictures of high-mindedness demolition of the New Opera house which were published in ethics Northampton Chronicle & Echo choose by ballot 1959 and were kindly imply in by Alan Ashton, ex- projectionist at the Savoy Celluloid, Northampton.

Northampton variety star Bertha Willmott pays a final go to see to the doomed theatre locale she was so often top-of-the-bill

From the Northampton Pact & Echo of 1959 - Courtesy Alan Ashton.

Above - Northampton variety star Bertha Willmott pays a final visit to representation doomed theatre where she was so often top-of-the-bill - Evade the Northampton Chronicle & Recoil of 1959 - Courtesy Alan Ashton, former projectionist at loftiness Savoy Cinema, Northampton.