The Workington Opera House, or The Opera as it was known, is a purpose built theatre located in Workington, Cumbria, England. Originally built as the Queen’s Jubilee Hall & Opera House it was gutted by fire in 1927 and rebuilt with a fine wide auditorium, and Ornamental ceiling with seating for 1200. The theatre has good sightlines and a large stage and currently sits empty after its former use as a bingo hall ended in 2004.
History
The theatre was designed by T. L. Banks & Townsend and had a small auditorium with two balconies accommodating 1,130 people. The theatre was also equipped with a small stage with a proscenium width of 11 metres, a depth of 9.14 metres and a grid height of 14 metres. An orchestra pit for 16 musicians was also included.
Other names: Queen's Jubilee Hall Dates: Opened 1888. Date of first use not known. 1888 - Design/Construction: T.L. Banks & Townsend - Architect 1897-1900 - Alteration: reconstructed after explosion (architect unknown) 1927-1930 - Alteration: reconstructed after fire (architect unknown) 1963-1970 - Alteration: façade rebuilt (architect unknown)
Current owners
Graves (Cumberland) Ltd currently own the building and have planning permission for 5 years to replace the theatre with retail and residential units. Graves own many different assets across Cumbria including cinemas, bingo halls and in the past they owned and ran a number of theatres.
The future of the theatre
The Workington Opera House is now under threat of demolition to be replaced with retail units and flats. The Save Workington Opera House group are fighting to have this building made available to the town of Workington as a working civic theatre that the community can be proud of.
Specifications Capacities: Original: 1,330 After 1950: 1,219 Listings: Grade not listed Stage type: Proscenium Dimensions Stage dimensions: Depth: 9.14m Proscenium width: 11m Height to grid: 14m Orchestra pit: Original, for 16 musicians
References
External links
workingtonoperahouse.co.uk OperaAction.co.uk Opera House (Workington)-Theatres Trust The Opera House, Pow Street, Workington, Cumbria