Grand Theatre

SD 33 NW BLACKPOOL CHURCH STREET

2/5 Grand Theatre 26.1.1972 II*

Theatre, 1894, by Frank Matcham. Stone corner-entrance block of 3 storeys in flamboyant free Baroque, with drum and dome: 3-sided canted facade with round-arched entrances at ground floor; upper storeys have giant pilasters flanking windows which are paired at each side with bullseye above, Venetian in the centre; attic storey of scrolled gables with finials each side; stone drum with paired classical pilasters and domed roof of copper fish-scale tiles, surmounted by cupola, rises through the centre. Interior: auditorium of 3 balconies, cantilevered and double-curved; semicircular proscenium arch flanked by corbelled curved boxes under semicircular arches, richly crested with pediments and putti; oval ceiling. Fibrous plaster decoration in very ornate Baroque style, gilded and painted: fronts of boxes freely ornamented with cherubs, putti, swags, etc., and painted panels. Pendentives each side of proscenium arch have large oval panels with paintings of muses. Ceiling carries 2 heavily-moulded circular bosses supporting chandeliers, surrounded by 6 large panels painted with portrait medallions, nymphs, putti, garlands, etc.; all enclosed by coved cornice. Dress circle level has ironwork staircase head, and wood- panelled bar with stained glass windows. The whole building, ingeniously providing much accommodation on a small site, was completed in 7 months from December 1893 to July 1894.

Listing NGR: SD3074936175