Great Britain Empire theatre Burnley March 2015

[Lavino]

Visited this one with telf. Gronk and woopashoopaa was a nice little explore but be warned the floors here are like walking on memory foam matress. Managed to cover the whole theatre and up onto the roof. The a box of section at the back of the theatre that had benches that looked really old. The theatre was really dark so struggled for light. So here's a few I did get they not the best and a little history..

Bingo moved out of the theatre in 1995, and it was statutory listed Grade II in February 1996. By 1997 the disused upper level already showed signs of fairly extensive water penetration. The more immediate risk seemed, however, to be that it would be sold for some highly profitable non-theatre activity, removing a splendid building from any prospect of a return to its designed use. There was much local pressure to reopen the theatre and the local authority and The Theatres Trust contributed to the cost of a feasibility study. However, the theatre remained empty and unused. There are now serious fears of possible demolition as a result of neglect. The theatre's frontage is somewhat obscured by an adjacent development and it is only the rear of the auditorium which has a public face. This is narrow and rendered, with evidence of original mouldings and panels. Its main entrance is on St James’s Street, a shopping street. A long and narrow entrance and foyer lead to the auditorium. The frontage is clad in sheet panelling. The auditorium is elaborately detailed with robust and richly formed plasterwork in the Classical style. As reconstructed by Crewe in 1911, it has two slightly curved wide and deep balconies, terminating in superimposed stage boxes framed between massive Corinthian columns supporting a deep cornice. Segmental-arched proscenium, with richly decorated spandrels and heraldic cartouche. Side walls feature plaster panels, pilasters and drops. Flat, panelled ceiling with circular centre panel and central sun burner. Restrained heraldic and Greek plasterwork on balcony and box fronts. Three boxes and the upper balcony have been partitioned off. If the theatre was to be restored to use, the narrow stage would need to be extended and front of house would need improvement. In May 2013, the council considered the building to be dangerous, requiring demolition and works to ensure safety.

Few roof shots

 

[skeleton key]

Its always a battle to get decent shots with such low light levels, a vast expanse and dust bowl of orbs.

Done well there fella and would recommend playing with your light painting.

Im no expert and just wave a torch about and hope for the best lol.

Thanks for the share mate

 

[hamtagger]

You've done well there given the darkness in there. I do the same as SK, just wave a torch around and after 72 shots i'll maybe get a good one if i'm lucky lol

 

[Lavino]

Thanks for advice still learning with photograph as hamtagger know last time I seen him was using iPhone. It's just progress from my liking to explore...

 

[Urbexbandoned]

Looks like a nice explore, like HT said you did well. Practice makes perfect and we all do that

Thanks for sharing