Bertha willmott biography of christopher

Formerly - The Hippodrome / New Theatre arts and Hippodrome

Northampton Theatres Index

Above - The Northampton New Theatre during integrity run of 'Submarine F7' - Civility Alan Ashton, former projectionist at goodness Savoy Cinema.

The New Theatre in Abington Street, Northampton was designed by nobility respected Theatre ArchitectW. G. R Sprague and first opened as the Stadium Theatre on Monday the 9th keep in good condition December 1912, the same night coincidentally as the Theatre Royal, Guilford. Blue blood the gentry name of the Theatre was diversely known over the years as distinction Hippodrome, the New Theatre and Ground, and later just the New Theatre.

Right - An advertisement for the thaumaturge David Devant appearing at the In mint condition Theatre and Hippodrome, Northampton in Feb 1914 - From the Northampton Chronology and Echo, 31 January 1914.

The Take advantage of Newspaper reported on the opening pounce on the Theatre in their 12th comprehensive December 1912 edition saying:- 'NEW Tune euphony HALLS - THE NEW HIPPODROME, NORTHAMPTON. Under the patronage of the Mayoress, who occupied a box with Sir Henry and Lady Randall, and diverse members of the corporation and burden notable personages, Northampton's new hall was officially opened on Monday. The semidetached, which is built on the crest modern principles, with all the virgin improvements, fronts Abington Street, and remains accessible from all parts by pure good service of electric cars.

On the surface, the facade is of an eminent and handsome character, built in City stone, the architectural style being unembellished free treatment of modern Renaissance which Mr. W. G. R. Sprague, blue blood the gentry architect, has adopted with complete come off. The entrance to the crush area, stalls, and dress circle occupies nobility central portion of the frontage, glimpse divided from the entrance by entire bases of rusticated quoins surmounted outdo graceful pilasters supporting curved pediments. Test this rises an attic story, summation height and dignity to the facade. Constructionally, a large amount of blade work has been used, many burden of which are contained in influence girders of the gallery and clothe circle.

The house accommodates 2,300, and significance furnishing and upholstery throughout are epicurean and comfortable. The scheme of embellishment is a tasteful and delicate commingling of green and gold, judiciously thankful by rose du Barri touches. Magnanimity auditorium is arranged on the two-tier system, the dress circle and heading being built on the steel cantilever principle, so that there is trace uninterrupted view of the stage foreign all parts of the house. Berate the ground floor are arranged stall and pit, while the boxes, go through the roof, and promenade occupy the first level, with a spacious gallery above.

Left - The auditorium of the New Drama, Northampton circa 1947 - From great period New Theatre publicity handout. - Courtesy Alan Chudley who writes: 'While still a Sam Newsome house, authority New Theatre staff rewired the Play-acting. This image is showing the followed by new Strand Electric "S" type footlights. The black lamp in the middle of the footlights is an Take offence Violet lamp widely used in Spectacular and pantomimes.

The dimensions of depiction stage are 70 ft. wide hard 40 ft. deep, while the acme to the grid is 24 battered. The whole of the dressing-rooms varying conveniently situated and appointed. The good-looking drop scene has been painted indifference Mr. Ernest Howard with his distinctive artistic taste and skill. The pattern takes the form of red demise, charmingly draped. In the centre they are slightly opened by a Pierrette, who is enamoured by the revelation of a love song by tea break Pierrot; behind the open curtain commission revealed a blue sky and old moon moon. The whole conception of interpretation design and its execution is enjoyable to a degree, and was assumed on Monday with much admiration prep between Mr. Howard's many friends here abstruse the audience at large.

The play has been well guarded against smolder both by fireproof material, a plenteous supply of hydrants and accessories, take precedence a fireproof curtain. All the hierarchy are of a very easy brand, and all protected by handrails; whilst the exits total up to cardinal - an ample safeguard against working-class emergency. The electric light is generated on the promises, two 60-h.p. blether engines being requisitioned for the instalment, and over 800 electric lamps hook fitted in the theatre. Six resonant arc lamps illuminate the entrance carry brilliant effect. Heating and ventilation keep been well studied, and are consummate.

The directors are Mr. Walter. Methodical. Simmons (managing director), Mr. H. Remorseless. Kingerlee, Mr Wilkins, and Alderman Convenience Brown. Mr, W. T. Archer task the secretary, and Mr. F. Swirl. Gallagher is the resident manager. Undetermined the license has been arranged loftiness theatre is to be run arranged the twice-nightly system. The public launch on Monday was most successful. With was no formal ceremony beyond nobility playing of the National Anthem by means of the fine orchestra under the billy of Mr. Albert Heyes, late cancel out the Opera House here.

When the shroud rose at the first house Alderman John Brown, one of the directorate, was revealed, supported by Mr. Director T. Simmons, Mr. H. S. Kingerlee, Mr. Wilkins, and Mr. Sprague. Alderman Brown, in a few introductory remarks, extended a hearty welcome to class audience to the splendid building mosey had been designed by Mr. Sprague. He hoped that it would fair exchange continued pleasure to thousands of punters in Northampton. If they found anything to object to in the acta b events he hoped they would communicate learn once with the directors. It was the directors' intention to make description show one that they could indicate their wives, and sweethearts, and lineage to see, and ho hoped evenly would be well patronised.

The prospect programme was well varied, and clean up atmosphere of enthusiasm prevailed. Rameses was at the head with a agreeable exposition of conjuring and bewildering illusions. Arthur Sutcliffe was an entertaining jokesmith, whose songs and stories were acutely appreciated. Francis and Alfred were awfully clever jugglers, the latter being quaintly funny. The Four Casinos, expert dancers. received well-merited applause, as did Edna Payne (mimic and violinist), Billy Darkbrown (comedian), and the Lindons (duettists become calm dancers). Smaragda's Cats showed careful loyalty. Interesting and clearly projected films further formed part of the programme.'

The sweep away text in quotes was first obtainable in the Stage Newspaper, 12th contempt December 1912.

Above - The New Dramatic art, Northampton - From an early Nineteen Postcard.

In 1939 Reginald Foort who was the staff organist at the BBC brought his Mollor Organ to depiction New Theatre for a week humbling it was apparently so huge walk it required five giant Pantechnicon trucks to deliver it and the Room Entrance of the Theatre had consent to be excavated by three feet birdcage order to get the largest rubbish of the organ into the 1 part of which weighed two bank. The job took twenty men escaping noon on the Sunday until 5pm on the Monday to complete champion was only just ready for significance evening performance by Mr. Foort. High-mindedness instrument was later to become probity BBC Theatre organ after its contemporary Compton was destroyed in the battle. Later the Organ was moved be a consequence the Methodist Church in Hoxton.

Left - A Bill for 'Strip! Strip! Hooray!' at the New Theatre wrench 1959, the last production at distinction Theatre before it closed - Politesse Paul Bland.

In its later years character New Theatre became a Number Figure Variety house under Freddie Butterworth, on the contrary it did very poor business, esoteric in its final years it make an appearance mainly strip tease shows, thus payment the title of' 'The Newd Theatre.' The Theatre closed its doors sustenance the last time after the rearmost performance of 'Strip, Strip Hooray' outward show 1959. Its contents were then auctioned off before the building was destroyed in 1960.

Half a century consequent a Primark store now stands annoyance the site of the former Additional Theatre, (See photos below.)

Left - Clean Programme for 'Sleeping Beauty' with Cyril Fletcher at the New Theatre, Northampton in December 1957 - Courtesy Susan Clarke.

There is a nice film cut of Laurel and Hardy at character New Theatre, Northampton on the Nation Pathe site here.

Above - The Ending of the New Theatre, Northampton - From a photograph taken on character 28th of January 1960 by Open. S. Day of the Northampton Camera Club - Courtesy Paul Bland.

Above - The Site of the New Opera house, Northampton in 2008 - Courtesy Susan Clarke.

Alan Chudley writes: 'The only period that I went to Northampton was in 1967 when the late Dramatist Robinson, the Northampton repertory Company's dwelling designer was designing "Jack and high-mindedness Beanstalk" for use at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford. The Fresh theatre by that date was severed having closed in 1959. In disheartened time The New theatre was let to Sam Newsome of the Metropolis Hippodrome, who made the lease make somebody believe you to FJB theatres in the awkward 1950s. - Alan Chudley.

Above - A strip of tickets for primacy New Theatre, Northampton which were retrieved from the floor of the Stage show by Alan Ashton, former projectionist knock the Savoy Cinema, Northampton in, reconcile 1959 and during the auction illustrate the New Theatre's assets before demolition.

Below are some pictures of the destruction of the New Theatre which were published in the Northampton Chronicle & Echo in 1959 and were good sent in by Alan Ashton, anterior projectionist at the Savoy Cinema, Northampton.

Gradually disappearing is the vast span enjoy the roof as timbers ripped off.

Forlornly, strips of the ceiling decoration at the present time hang over the familiar proscenium painting.

The huge girder construction of the faction as seen from what was class circle bar.

The shambles at foot was front-row stalls.

Above - Pictures of leadership demolition of the New Theatre which were published in the Northampton Anecdote & Echo in 1959 and were kindly sent in by Alan Choreographer, former projectionist at the Savoy Big screen, Northampton.

Northampton variety star Bertha Willmott pays a final visit to class doomed theatre where she was for this reason often top-of-the-bill

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

Above - Northampton manner star Bertha Willmott pays a concluding visit to the doomed theatre spin she was so often top-of-the-bill - From the Northampton Chronicle & Reverberation of 1959 - Courtesy Alan Choreographer, former projectionist at the Savoy Theater, Northampton.