Great Britain Crown Theatre, Eccles. April 2018

[Ferox]

Had a look in here earlier in the year after an fail near by. A grand example of dereliction on the outside and a crumbing mess on the inside. Nice little wander as it turned out. There is enough features and bits still knocking about to make it interesting and I enjoyed having a look around and getting some snaps. Visited with non member Paul.
History
The Crown opened in 1899 as the Lyceum Theatre. The intention was to provide a luxury theatre for Shakespeare productions and drama as well as revue. It is a landmark building in the town of Eccles in a vaguely Elizabethan Style with pilasters and mullioned windows. The facade is constructed of moulded red brick of five storeys with terracotta dressings to three high arched windows at first floor. It is richly decorated, and has an asymmetrically placed short corner tower. This once had a pyramidal roof and the parapet was topped with square pinnacles. The cast iron copy still survives, now encased. The auditorium was designed with three balconies, supported by four columns. The ornamentation of the proscenium comprised an allegorical representation of Shakespeare's 'Seven Ages of Man'. The act drop was a facsimile of Beverley's noted work for the opening of the Theatre Royal (Manchester) in 1845 - a Grecian subject painted by Mr Keith. Becoming a cinema in 1932, it was later adapted for Cinemascope, ending stage use. Converted for bingo in 1963, by the late 1980s it was reported to be falling into disrepair internally. The exterior is largely intact, apart from the stage house which has been partly demolished. Planning permission was given in 2005 - and again in 2008 - for partial demolition (retaining the facade) and development of apartments behind. Since then the building has become more dilapidated and a new planning application for a residential and retail development submitted in 2016 proposes complete demolition of the theatre.

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Thanks For Looking

More pics on my Flickr page - https://www.flickr.com/photos/135648593@N02/albums/72157693704356862/with/42124774351/

 

[AndyK!]

The "Save the Crown Theatre" campaign seems a bit far fetched! Great set of pics though, some nice details there.

 

[Lenston]

A ton of work to save that building for sure, some nice bits left though.

 

[hamtagger]

A shame a building like this has gotten so bad! Looks like a place you could easily die ? 

 

[obscureserenity]

Thought this place was looking pretty worse for wear but I didn't realise how bad it was! Sad too see all that rubbish dumped there. Great set of photos none the less, thank you for sharing  

 

[Ferox]

The "Save the Crown Theatre" campaign seems a bit far fetched!

Lol, Thought the same myself bud ?

A right state now, still a few bits to have a look at though.

 

[The_Raw]

Jesus that looks like a right death trap Some cool pics to be had though!

 

[Ferox]

Yep, was fucked mate. There is a handy crutch hanging in the last pic in case of any mishaps ?

 

[Andy]

The place has definitely seen better days. But still impressive with the amount of decay.

 

[coolboyslim]

I remember being here ages back surprised it still stands. Nice ferox matey and all the best