The Alexandra was built for William Morton, a significant manager of theatres and cinemas in Hull. His eldest son, George Morton was appointed manager. Initially Morton’s theatres would be co-ordinated. The Royal, already dubbed, ‘The Home of Grand Opera and Latest Musical Productions’, would have the higher class of programme while the Alexandra would be devoted almost exclusively to drama.
“After that”, reminisced George Morton in 1934, “came other touring companies, and grand opera for seasons of four and five weeks”. He recalled the 80-strong Moody-Manners Opera Company. “Every grand opera star of those days appeared with it, including the famous Blanche Marchesi and Zela de Tessa.” Another Kelley production was ‘Theodora’ with a jungle scene and real lions roaming about the stage.
Theatre-going had declined during the early 1930’s and, after several attempts to revive attendances with London-based touring companies,it closed in January 1935. It was reopened in December 1935 as a variety theatre, the New Alexandra, and managed by Terence Byron Ltd.
[Revised] There is the potential for confusion here. The Holderness Hall was built for William Morton who acquired, built and managed theatres and picturedromes in Hull from 1895 to 1935. (see ‘closed cinemas in Kingston upon Hull’ on Wikipedia, references sourced from contemporary Hull Daily Mail). The work was designed and carried out by local architects, ‘Freeman, Sons, and Gaskell’. Morton generally used local businesses for all aspects of his work.
However, in 1910, Morton did enter into partnership with the New Century (Leeds) Circuit and registered a new private company (called Prince’s Hall (Hull), Ltd. (3 directors from Morton’s, 2 from New Century) This was the first purpose built cinema in Hull.
Holderness Hall (Hull) Ltd was another company of which Morton was chairman. it is probable that this was also a partnership with New Century Pictures. (Morton was also a member of their board.)
The upgrading of the building in 1935 took place following its sale by William Morton who had converted it into a cinema in 1930. Mortons had to sell up because of their companies' financial difficulties.
In 1935, after the collapse of William Morton’s theatres and cinemas Tom Bogue, Morton’s son-in-law, artistic designer and manager of the Majestic, became licensee of the West Park Cinema. Bogue retired in 1943, aged 83, after losing his wife and his home in an air-raid.
The Alexandra was built for William Morton, a significant manager of theatres and cinemas in Hull. His eldest son, George Morton was appointed manager. Initially Morton’s theatres would be co-ordinated. The Royal, already dubbed, ‘The Home of Grand Opera and Latest Musical Productions’, would have the higher class of programme while the Alexandra would be devoted almost exclusively to drama. “After that”, reminisced George Morton in 1934, “came other touring companies, and grand opera for seasons of four and five weeks”. He recalled the 80-strong Moody-Manners Opera Company. “Every grand opera star of those days appeared with it, including the famous Blanche Marchesi and Zela de Tessa.” Another Kelley production was ‘Theodora’ with a jungle scene and real lions roaming about the stage. Theatre-going had declined during the early 1930’s and, after several attempts to revive attendances with London-based touring companies,it closed in January 1935. It was reopened in December 1935 as a variety theatre, the New Alexandra, and managed by Terence Byron Ltd.
[Revised] There is the potential for confusion here. The Holderness Hall was built for William Morton who acquired, built and managed theatres and picturedromes in Hull from 1895 to 1935. (see ‘closed cinemas in Kingston upon Hull’ on Wikipedia, references sourced from contemporary Hull Daily Mail). The work was designed and carried out by local architects, ‘Freeman, Sons, and Gaskell’. Morton generally used local businesses for all aspects of his work. However, in 1910, Morton did enter into partnership with the New Century (Leeds) Circuit and registered a new private company (called Prince’s Hall (Hull), Ltd. (3 directors from Morton’s, 2 from New Century) This was the first purpose built cinema in Hull. Holderness Hall (Hull) Ltd was another company of which Morton was chairman. it is probable that this was also a partnership with New Century Pictures. (Morton was also a member of their board.)
The upgrading of the building in 1935 took place following its sale by William Morton who had converted it into a cinema in 1930. Mortons had to sell up because of their companies' financial difficulties.
In 1935, after the collapse of William Morton’s theatres and cinemas Tom Bogue, Morton’s son-in-law, artistic designer and manager of the Majestic, became licensee of the West Park Cinema. Bogue retired in 1943, aged 83, after losing his wife and his home in an air-raid.