Cinema Royal
Ainsworth Street,
Blackburn,
BB1 6AD
Ainsworth Street,
Blackburn,
BB1 6AD
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Essoldo Circuit (Contol) Ltd.
Architects: Christopher Rowland Cooper, Bertie Crewe, Frank Matcham
Firms: Frank Matcham & Company
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Super Cinema
Nearby Theaters
Located on the bend on Ainsworth Street. The Theatre Royal & Opera House was originally opened in 1818. It was rebuilt in 1851, and operated as a music hall, known as the Theatre Royal.
In 1886, it was rebuilt to the plans of noted theatre architect Frank Matcham, and was refurbished in 1909, to the plans of another noted theatre architect Bertie Crewe. Films began to be screened as part of the variety programme at around this time, and a young Charlie Chaplin appeared on stage.
On 24th August 1931, it was converted into the Theatre Royal Super Cinema with 1,550 seats. This was closed on 3rd May 1937. The interior was totally gutted and a new modern cinema was built within the shell and given a new modern facade, all to the plans of architect C.R. Cooper.
It re-opened as the Cinema Royal on 23rd May 1938 with Jeannette McDonald in "The Firefly". The seating capacity had been increased to 1,600, and the proscenium was 26 feet wide. There was a cafe provided for the convenience of patrons.
The Cinema Royal was taken over by the Newcastle upon Tyne based Essoldo Cinemas circuit in October 1957. It retained the name Cinema Royal until it was closed on 18th March 1967, due to a compulsorily purchase order, to be demolished for a new town centre redevelopment.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
A picture of the Cinema Royal from sometime in the 1960’s: http://tinyurl.com/4la3brs
Does anyone know who owned this cinema in 1942
Amitton: By 1937-1944, the Theatre Royal was operated as a cinema by Northern Theatres Co. Ltd. of 5 Rawson Street, Halifax. By 1947 they were still the operators, but had changed the named to Cinema Royal.