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Grand Theatre, Woolwich
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Grand Theatre, Woolwich
Promotional postcard showing the facade of the Grand Theatre Woolwich. Considering the size of its employed population and the substantial army presence, Woolwich was surprisingly late in acquiring a large theatre to rival the ageing Royal and the quasi-theatrical concert room (later reconstructed as a theatre) in the Royal Artillery barracks. There was a proposal, before the turn of the century, for a Grand Theatre in Moorish style in Beresford Square by Frank Matcham, but this was never built. Crewes Grand Theatre and Opera House, opened by Sir Henry Irving in 1900, was a little apart from the busiest area of town, on a site adjoining the Town Hall. It presented drama, musical comedy, opera and, later, variety. Taken over by ABC in 1935, it was closed in 1939 and demolished for the building of a new cinema, but this was not completed (as the Regal) until 1955. Although construction commenced, war prevented the W R Glen designed ABC from being completed. As a shell, it was requisitioned for storage. In 1955, it was completed to re-designed plans of C J Foster. Closed in 1982, it was purchased by the Borough of Greenwich who planned to re-open it as a live theatre. However, it was eventually leased and opened as a nightclub in 1985. Nightclub use ceased due to loss of licence, and in 2010 the building was sold to a church group. The church backed out, however, and in June 2011 the building was sold to a community group who re-opening the building as a cinema, theatre and music venue. In 2014 planning permission was granted for the theatres demolition and redevelopment. The theatre closed on 10 April 2015. Date: circa 1900
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14250727
© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Step back in time and explore the rich history of the Grand Theatre in Woolwich, as depicted in this elegant promotional postcard from the early 1900s. The Grand Theatre, a grand architectural masterpiece, was a long-awaited addition to Woolwich's cultural scene. With a substantial army presence and a large population, the town surprised many by not having a grand theatre to rival the aging Royal and the concert room in the Royal Artillery barracks. A proposal for a Grand Theatre in Moorish style in Beresford Square by Frank Matcham was put forward at the turn of the century, but it was never built. Instead, Crewes Grand Theatre and Opera House, which opened in 1900, was situated a little apart from the busiest area of town, on a site adjoining the Town Hall. This beautiful theatre presented drama, musical comedy, opera, and later, variety. The Grand Theatre underwent several transformations throughout the 20th century. It was taken over by ABC in 1935 and closed in 1939, eventually being demolished for the building of a new cinema. However, due to the outbreak of war, the new cinema was not completed until 1955. The Grand Theatre's shell was then requisitioned for storage. In 1955, it was completed to re-designed plans of C J Foster and was closed in 1982. The Borough of Greenwich purchased the building with plans to re-open it as a live theatre, but it was eventually leased and opened as a nightclub in 1985. Nightclub use ceased due to the loss of a license, and in 2010, the building was sold to a church group. However, the deal fell through, and in June 2011, it was sold to a community group who re-opened the building as a cinema, theatre, and music venue. Sadly, in 2014, planning permission was granted for the theatre's demolition and redevelopment. The Grand Theatre closed its doors for the final time on 10 April 2015.
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