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Grand Theatre
The Doncaster Grand was constructed in 1899 and originally stood on a prominent site in a shopping street facing the main railway station. However, town centre improvements robbed it of any sensible context and it is no longer in a street, but attached rather indirectly to the Frenchgate shopping centre. It still faces the station, however is separated from it by a busy inner ring road which comes so close that it has actually snipped off a lower corner of the stage house. The theatre was used until 1958 until the typical bingo conversion. It was threatened with demolition until an energetic local campaign and Friends group secured statutory designation in 1994. The building closed down in the next year.
Finally managed this one on a Doncaster day trip in February. We were glad to see it open after checking it so many times in the past. The architecture in the building is stunning for it's size and it's great to see the old seats with engraved logos in their armrests. All in all, one of my favourite theatres I've seen and glad to finally tick it off.
Despite 25 years of abandonment, the theatre has remained in brilliant condition, possibly due to roof maintenance stopping too much water entering.
On the circle, the seats were very intact but much more modern than the ones above.
Various bars for intervals heading up to the top gallery.
View from the gallery, my favourite part as you were very close to the intricate details surrounding the proscenium.
A closer look at the beautiful designs.
A classic shot to finish with.
Here's the link to our documentary styled video that covers the theatre's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
Thanks for reading
The Doncaster Grand was constructed in 1899 and originally stood on a prominent site in a shopping street facing the main railway station. However, town centre improvements robbed it of any sensible context and it is no longer in a street, but attached rather indirectly to the Frenchgate shopping centre. It still faces the station, however is separated from it by a busy inner ring road which comes so close that it has actually snipped off a lower corner of the stage house. The theatre was used until 1958 until the typical bingo conversion. It was threatened with demolition until an energetic local campaign and Friends group secured statutory designation in 1994. The building closed down in the next year.
Finally managed this one on a Doncaster day trip in February. We were glad to see it open after checking it so many times in the past. The architecture in the building is stunning for it's size and it's great to see the old seats with engraved logos in their armrests. All in all, one of my favourite theatres I've seen and glad to finally tick it off.
Despite 25 years of abandonment, the theatre has remained in brilliant condition, possibly due to roof maintenance stopping too much water entering.
On the circle, the seats were very intact but much more modern than the ones above.
Various bars for intervals heading up to the top gallery.
View from the gallery, my favourite part as you were very close to the intricate details surrounding the proscenium.
A closer look at the beautiful designs.
A classic shot to finish with.
Here's the link to our documentary styled video that covers the theatre's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
Thanks for reading
