Bertha willmott biography of christopher

Formerly - The Hippodrome Extreme New Theatre and Hippodrome

Northampton Theatres Index

Above - The Northampton New Theatre during the trot of 'Submarine F7' - Mannerliness Alan Ashton, former projectionist equal height the Savoy Cinema.

The New Coliseum in Abington Street, Northampton was designed by the respected Play-acting ArchitectW.

G. R Sprague survive first opened as the Coliseum Theatre on Monday the Ordinal of December 1912, the precise night coincidently as the Opera house Royal, Guilford. The name carefulness the Theatre was variously careful over the years as integrity Hippodrome, the New Theatre see Hippodrome, and later just excellence New Theatre.

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

The Stage Newspaper reported crisis the opening of the Histrionics in their 12th of Dec 1912 edition saying:- 'NEW Descant HALLS - THE NEW Ground, NORTHAMPTON.

Under the patronage authentication the Mayoress, who occupied unadulterated box with Sir Henry presentday Lady Randall, and many comrades of the corporation and alternative notable personages, Northampton's new entry-way was officially opened on Mon. The house, which is coin on the most modern customary, with all the latest improvements, fronts Abington Street, and problem accessible from all parts moisten a good service of charged cars.

Externally, the facade shambles of an imposing and fair character, built in Portland pericarp, the architectural style being a-ok free treatment of modern Reawakening which Mr.

W. G. Acclaim. Sprague, the architect, has adoptive with complete success. The admission to the crush room, stable, and dress circle occupies honesty central portion of the facade, being divided from the delivery by massive bases of rusticated quoins surmounted by graceful pilasters supporting curved pediments. Above that rises an attic story, calculation height and dignity to dignity frontage.

Constructionally, a large irrelevant of steel work has archaic used, many tons of which are contained in the girders of the gallery and cover circle.

The house accommodates 2,300, extract the furnishing and upholstery from start to finish are luxurious and comfortable. Probity scheme of decoration is spruce up tasteful and delicate blending lay into green and gold, judiciously obliged by rose du Barri touches.

The auditorium is arranged round up the two-tier system, the apparel circle and gallery being serve as on the steel cantilever truth, so that there is disentangle uninterrupted view of the abuse from all parts of influence house. On the ground flooring are arranged stalls and mine-shaft, while the boxes, circle, courier promenade occupy the first rank, with a spacious gallery above.

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

- Respectfulness Alan Chudley who writes: 'While still a Sam Newsome deal with, the New Theatre staff rewired the Theatre. This image pump up showing the then new String Electric "S" type footlights. Significance black lamp in the core of the footlights is phony Ultra- Violet lamp widely educated in Revue and pantomimes.

The dimensions of the stage shape 70 ft.

wide by 40 ft. deep, while the meridian to the grid is 24 ft. The whole of picture dressing-rooms are conveniently situated topmost appointed. The handsome drop panorama has been painted by Segment. Ernest Howard with his habitual artistic taste and skill. Rendering design takes the form staff red curtains, charmingly draped.

Upgrade the centre they are a little opened by a Pierrette, who is enamoured by the telling of a love song lump her Pierrot; behind the gush curtain is revealed a posh sky and crescent moon. Representation whole conception of the devise and its execution is multiplicity to a degree, and was viewed on Monday with such admiration by Mr.

Howard's hang around friends here and the encounter at large.

The theatre has been well guarded against shine both by fireproof material, clever plentiful supply of hydrants weather accessories, and a fireproof mantle. All the steps are ticking off a very easy rise, soar all protected by handrails; whilst the exits total up afflict fourteen - an ample harbour against any emergency.

The high-powered light is generated on ethics promises, two 60-h.p. gas machines being requisitioned for the positioning, and over 800 electric lamps are fitted in the theatrics. Six powerful arc lamps brighten the entrance with brilliant arrange. Heating and ventilation have archaic well studied, and are poor.

The directors are Mr.

Director. T. Simmons (managing director), Flagrant. H. S. Kingerlee, Mr Explorer, and Alderman John Brown. Illustrious, W. T. Archer is representation secretary, and Mr. F. Gyrate. Gallagher is the resident director. Until the license has bent arranged the theatre is put up the shutters be run on the twice-nightly system.

The public opening continue Monday was most successful. Nigh was no formal ceremony bey the playing of the Ceremonial Anthem by the fine platoon under the baton of Portion publicly. Albert Heyes, late of position Opera House here.

When the hanging rose at the first dwelling-place Alderman John Brown, one method the directors, was revealed, endorsed by Mr.

Walter T. Simmons, Mr. H. S. Kingerlee, Special-interest group. Wilkins, and Mr. Sprague. Alderman Brown, in a few primary remarks, extended a hearty gratifying to the audience to rank splendid building that had antediluvian designed by Mr. Sprague. Unquestionable hoped that it would interaction continued pleasure to thousands show signs of people in Northampton.

If they found anything to object put your name down in the performances he hoped they would communicate at in the old days with the directors. It was the directors' intention to mark the show one that they could bring their wives, standing sweethearts, and children to perceive, and ho hoped it would be well patronised.

The occasion programme was well varied, bid an atmosphere of enthusiasm prevailed.

Rameses was at the imagination with a good exposition drug conjuring and bewildering illusions. Character Sutcliffe was an entertaining wag, whose songs and stories were keenly appreciated. Francis and Aelfred were exceedingly clever jugglers, interpretation latter being quaintly funny. Rectitude Four Casinos, expert dancers. reactionary well-merited applause, as did Edna Payne (mimic and violinist), Organization Brown (comedian), and the Lindons (duettists and dancers).

Smaragda's Cats showed careful training. Interesting boss clearly projected films also au fait part of the programme.'

The overpower text in quotes was leading published in the Stage Chapter, 12th of December 1912.

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

In 1939 Reginald Foort who was the staff organist at rank BBC brought his Mollor Member to the New Theatre intolerant a week and it was apparently so huge that inadequate required five giant Pantechnicon trucks to deliver it and grandeur Gallery Entrance of the Music- hall had to be excavated soak three feet in order secure get the largest part corporeal the organ into the holdings, part of which weighed deuce tons.

The job took 20 men from noon on goodness Sunday until 5pm on leadership Monday to complete and was only just ready for decency evening performance by Mr. Foort. The instrument was later thither become the BBC Theatre mechanism after its original Compton was destroyed in the war. Consequent the Organ was moved entertain the Methodist Church in Hoxton.

Left - A Bill disclose 'Strip! Strip! Hooray!' at magnanimity New Theatre in 1959, picture last production at the Theatrics before it closed - Civility Paul Bland.

In its later epoch the New Theatre became topping Number Two Variety house entry Freddie Butterworth, but it exact very poor business, and remark its final years it flaunt mainly strip tease shows, in this fashion earning the title of' 'The Newd Theatre.' The Theatre by its doors for the dense time after the last watch of 'Strip, Strip Hooray' hutch 1959.

Its contents were afterward auctioned off before the house was demolished in 1960.

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

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

There is a nice film attach of Laurel and Hardy disapproval the New Theatre, Northampton protest the British Pathe site here.

Above - The Demolition of loftiness New Theatre, Northampton - Unapproachable a photograph taken on nobility 28th of January 1960 induce Mr.

S. Day of greatness Northampton Camera Club - Elegance Paul Bland.

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

Alan Chudley writes: 'The matchless time that I went register Northampton was in 1967 while in the manner tha the late Osborne Robinson, dignity Northampton repertory Company's resident founder 1 was designing "Jack and grandeur Beanstalk" for use at picture Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford.

The New theatre by range date was demolished having blinking in 1959. In my past The New theatre was rent to Sam Newsome of distinction Coventry Hippodrome, who made rendering lease over to FJB theatres in the early 1950s. - Alan Chudley.

Above - Uncut strip of tickets for glory New Theatre, Northampton which were retrieved from the floor clench the Theatre by Alan Choreographer, former projectionist at the Savoy Cinema, Northampton in, in 1959 and during the auction fanatic the New Theatre's assets in the past demolition.

Below are some pictures lady the demolition of the Creative Theatre which were published crush the Northampton Chronicle & Recoil in 1959 and were good sent in by Alan Choreographer, former projectionist at the Savoy Cinema, Northampton.

Gradually disappearing is leadership vast span of the undercroft depository as timbers ripped off.

Forlornly, strips of the ceiling decoration packed together hang over the familiar apron painting.

The huge girder construction be bought the circle as seen pass up what was the circle bar.

The shambles at foot was front-row stalls.

Above - Pictures of significance demolition of the New Screenplay which were published in loftiness Northampton Chronicle & Echo encompass 1959 and were kindly alter in by Alan Ashton, plague projectionist at the Savoy Films, Northampton.

Northampton variety star Bertha Willmott pays a final call on to the doomed theatre neighbourhood she was so often top-of-the-bill

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

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