Norwich Theatres and Cinemas

Theatre Royal:

Theatres and cinemas 00 [ Second Theatre Royal and interior after 1934 fire, Third Theatre Royal (1938) ]

The first Theatre Royal was built by Thomas Ivory in 1758. The second Theatre Royal, built by William Wilkins in 1826 at a cost of £6,000, was erected on a site adjoining that of the first. It was destroyed by fire which broke out at the stage end of the building at about 2pm on Friday 22nd June 1934. The balcony had been utterly destroyed but there were remains of the dress circle, terracing, box, sloping floor of the pit and stalls. The third Theatre Royal was opened on 30th September 1935.

Theatre Street

Hippodrome, and Haymarket:

Theatres and cinemas 01 [ Hippodrome, Haymarket ]

The Hippodrome, St Giles’ Street opened as the Grand Opera House in 1903, became a Music Hall in 1904, and a cinema in 1930, before returning to Variety in September 1937. In 1958 it became the Norfolk Playhouse Repertory Theatre but was demolished in 1966.

The Haymarket Picture House (latterly known as the Gaumont Cinema) opened in 1911, was enlarged in 1921 (architect J.Owen Bond) and again in 1929. Demolished 1959

Maddermarket, and Night-time views of Cinemas:

Theatres and cinemas 02 [ Maddermarket theatre St John’s Alley (home of the Norwich Players - founded by Nugent Monck in 1911 - transferred here from the Music House in 1921 - the building was originally a Roman Catholic Chapel), Cinemas at night: Capitol cinema Aylsham Road (opened 1932), Regent theatre Prince of Wales Road (opened 1923), Carlton cinema All Saints Green (opened 1932 - architect J.Owen Bond), Theatre de Luxe St Andrew’s Street (opened 1910) ]

Norvic, Regal, and Odeon cinemas:

Theatres and cinemas 03 [ Norvic cinema Prince of Wales Road (opened as the “Electric” on Boxing Day 1912 - it was given its new name when modernised in 1949 - closed 1959), Regal cinema 5-7 Dereham Road (opened 16th April 1938 - photographed on 17th), Odeon cinema Anglia Square (opened 8th July 1971 - built by Alan Cooke and Partners) ]

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