Is anyone interested in historic old theatres in the UK ?

I am gathering together nostalgic information on old variety theatres as they used to be right up until the 1950s and 1960s when television changed the public's entertainment interests. Preparation is under way to produce a book on the subject, which I feel will be of great interest. I would be interest to hear from anyone with reminiscences, particularly of the Midland theatres and music halls which will be included.


Expressions of interest are also welcomed from sympathetic publishers and printers. I believe there is a massive out there who would love to hark back to the "good old days", and a massive audience of young people, who like myself, were attracted to live theatres through the magic of pantomime.

Is anyone interested in historic old theatres in the UK ?
There is a lovely old victorian theatre in red velvet and rococco at westcliff on sea in Essex. Its quite small but ive seen many productions there and even been backstage on an open day and spoke with lighting and set design.


Its called the Palace theatre and I have very fond memories of the place, it only holds about two hundred people but its like a step back in time.


It has the country's record for having the most slanted gradient on its stage sloping towards the audience and some thespians say its a difficult one to manage.


Ive been to many theatres in Londons West end and have even had a scotch whiskey with Sir Alec Guinness in his dressing room at the Gielgud.
Reply:A few years ago I read a book on old theatres that had been discovered, intact but abandoned. There was a music hall one found behind a pub in the east end of London.


Another was one in St James Street, Nottingham. It is a modern theme bar now but was complete and original until the late 80s.


I t is a fascinating subject and theatre is a great way to be entertained.
Reply:I'm not interested in the theatre as such but only the hauntings of them!!!! Drury Lane is supposed to be the most haunted theatre in the world!!
Reply:Recommend that you watch Laurence Olivier in 'The Entertainer' for an on the spot look at old theatres.... Wish I had some 'first hand' input all my current knowledge about British Music Halls has been gleamed from books about such people as, and suggest you read some bio s of, Peter O'Toole, Rex Harrison, Margaret Rutherford, among others, even a bio of Orson Wales yields tales of his days with the Old Dublin Theatre and cool pictures...





God luck with your project - - - if you could get me on board it would be swift sailing - - - there is no selling me on the viability of such a book..





A last note, a tale attested to by Peter O'Toole -- - - many theatres might look Splendid and have big deep stages but the amenities for actors were Spartan or worse. Imagine a six by six brick 'cell' with one window high on a wall or no window. One cracked enamel sink and a make up table and mirror and a single chair. Where do you pee? In the sink, of course, of course with tool in hand what do you do when Bette Davis sweeps in unannounced? Washing hands hunched over sink stuffing in the appendage try not to snag it on your zipper...





Peace............. ///---------O .!. O ----------- \\\...................o.........o
Reply:no i theatre is dead long live film