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The grand theatre..brum...
- Thread starter Astoness
- Start date
sylviasayers
master brummie
Lyn, where was this Grand Theatre? I can remember the Theatre Royal, New Street, being demolished around 1962 - they built a Woolworth on the site - absolute sacrilege. I may be wrong but I think my dad told me of another theatre in the city centre being destroyed in the blitz, I'm not sure of the name could have been The Grand or The Prince of Wales or a similar name. Does anyone have more information.
hi sylvia...i have pics of the prince of wales being demolished so its not that one...the caption does say the grand theatre so hopefully someone can confirm this and give us the exact location....yes i agree with you..it was sacrilege all right...same thing with the old central library and many many other fine strong buildings that could well have seen off all the all the rubbish that was built in its place...oh dear here i go again...on me soap box....lol...
lyn
lyn
Frothblower
Lubrication In Moderation
This might be of help https://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Birmingham/GrandTheatreOfVarietiesBirmingham.htm
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Phil
Gone, but not forgotten.
Lyn
I think what was built in the place of the Grand was Priory Queensway and a posh furniture shop, Maple & Webb I think.
Sylvia
There were quite a few theatres in Birmingham that we have lost for one reason or another. The Prince of Wales as you say that stood where the Nation Convention Centre stands now. The Theatre Royal New St, The Empire on the corner of Hurst St and Smallbrook St. Incidentally Lyn the photo you posted of the interior of the Grand is in reality the inside of the Empire. The Metropole Snow Hill, The Carlton, Saltley. These are just a few of the ones we have lost.
Heres a photo that shows the location of the Grand when it became the Mecca Dance Hall.
Phil
I think what was built in the place of the Grand was Priory Queensway and a posh furniture shop, Maple & Webb I think.
Sylvia
There were quite a few theatres in Birmingham that we have lost for one reason or another. The Prince of Wales as you say that stood where the Nation Convention Centre stands now. The Theatre Royal New St, The Empire on the corner of Hurst St and Smallbrook St. Incidentally Lyn the photo you posted of the interior of the Grand is in reality the inside of the Empire. The Metropole Snow Hill, The Carlton, Saltley. These are just a few of the ones we have lost.
Heres a photo that shows the location of the Grand when it became the Mecca Dance Hall.
Phil
Peter Walker
gone but not forgotten
Yes, the Grand Theatre was in Corporation Street, facing the Old Square. It was designed by the prominent Briningham architect W H Ward, and built at the time that Corporation Street was laid out, and opened on 14 November 1883, when it was known as the 'New Theatre'. Apart from the stalls it had two circles, a gallery and eight boxes, with a total of 2200 seats.
In 1907 it was bought by Moss Empires and remodelled (probably this was when it was renamed the Grand). It closed as a theatre in 1930 and continued life briefly as a cinema until May 1933, when it became the Grand Casino Ballroom, which apparently survived until 1960, but I don't remember seeing anyone actually going in or coming out.
Peter
In 1907 it was bought by Moss Empires and remodelled (probably this was when it was renamed the Grand). It closed as a theatre in 1930 and continued life briefly as a cinema until May 1933, when it became the Grand Casino Ballroom, which apparently survived until 1960, but I don't remember seeing anyone actually going in or coming out.
Peter
sylviasayers
master brummie
Lyn, that advert was for The Grand Theatre, CORPORATION STREET.
sylviasayers
master brummie
It appears a number of us posted at the same time, glad it has been established that The Grand was in fact in Corporation Street. PeterW I may be one of the few people who actually went into the Casino, albeit as a young child of about 5 years old. My best friend at the time cut her head badly on a "table shelter" in the war, and had to go for treatment on a regular basis to The General Hospital, after these visits her mother used to take Mavis and me for a treat, and on one occasion we went to the Casino for the afternoon tea dance, we sat upstairs on a balcony to watch the dancers, mainly servicemen on leave and their wives or girlfriends, it was very impressive to my young eyes with small tables with tablelamps with pink shades on.
I think in the 1950s the American servicemen who were based in Oxford or thereabouts used to frequent the Casino and I know they used The Castle? pub near Lancaster Street as some of my friends went there and had dates with them.
I think in the 1950s the American servicemen who were based in Oxford or thereabouts used to frequent the Casino and I know they used The Castle? pub near Lancaster Street as some of my friends went there and had dates with them.
i wonder if someone could post a map please pinpointing the exact spot where the grand used to be...trouble with me is such a lot of buildings were demolished when i was a young child and so i cant remember ever seeing them and i do like to get me bearings
many thanks
lyn
many thankslyn
Frothblower
Lubrication In Moderation
Did you see the link Lyn?
The Grand Casino was a lively place in the war, used by all nationalities, service men especially, also girls earning a living if you no what I mean. I was
a young man then and my mother forbid me to go near the place. After the war and my demob I used to go once a week to the dances, it was different to the ordinary dance halls, I would also go to the West End dance hall. Does anyone remember the "Masque" Ballroom in Walford road Sparkbrook? Geff
a young man then and my mother forbid me to go near the place. After the war and my demob I used to go once a week to the dances, it was different to the ordinary dance halls, I would also go to the West End dance hall. Does anyone remember the "Masque" Ballroom in Walford road Sparkbrook? Geff
Charlie
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
I think there's another thread somewhere Lyn, about the Grand when it became the Casino (if Phil's picture's right). In the Old Square, almost next to the Kings Hall Market (good for yer net curtains). I used to go to the Casino in the late fifties/early sixties.
Now all part of Priory Circus of course :crying:.
Now all part of Priory Circus of course :crying:.
pollypops
master brummie
Astoness, Is the picture on post #1 the inside of the Empire?
In about 1936 Hubby's Nan lived in Nottingham and was courting her husband-to-be who lived in Selly Oak. On Saturdays she would sometimes get the Train from Nottingham to B'Ham. It cost 2 shillings return and the journey took about an hour. They would meet in B'ham city centre and would go to see a play at the Empire Theatre in Smallbrook Street (sometimes they went to the Hippodrome). Afterwards Nan would catch the train, arriving back in Nottingham at about 11.30pm. She then had to walk down country lanes for about a mile before finally getting home about midnight.
If it is the Empire thank you for posting it - it is much bigger and grander than I expected - she didn't mention what it was like inside - I will have to ask her about it - she has an amazing memory and I love listening to all her stories.
Polly
In about 1936 Hubby's Nan lived in Nottingham and was courting her husband-to-be who lived in Selly Oak. On Saturdays she would sometimes get the Train from Nottingham to B'Ham. It cost 2 shillings return and the journey took about an hour. They would meet in B'ham city centre and would go to see a play at the Empire Theatre in Smallbrook Street (sometimes they went to the Hippodrome). Afterwards Nan would catch the train, arriving back in Nottingham at about 11.30pm. She then had to walk down country lanes for about a mile before finally getting home about midnight.
If it is the Empire thank you for posting it - it is much bigger and grander than I expected - she didn't mention what it was like inside - I will have to ask her about it - she has an amazing memory and I love listening to all her stories.
Polly
W
Wendy
Guest
Great thread Lyn so interesting although very sad all these lovely buildings lost. What fantastic memories especially Sylvia's just imagine being in such a place so young....wonderful!
pollypops
master brummie
Hi, I found this picture of The Prince of Wales Theatre, broad Street. It says it received a direct hit on April 9th 1941.
Polly
lencops
gone but not forgotten
Remember The Casino dance hall very well WW2 & post war, it was a honey pot to American servicemen and girls, young & old from around Birmingham, the military police, nicknamed "Snowdrops" because of their white helmets were always stationed outside and dealt with any trouble in a tough way, i witnessed many beatings carried out with their sticks, no black soldiers were allowed in and Brummies did`nt go in either, The Casino had a very bad reputation. Len.
Betty Hopper
master brummie
Hello Geff,
Yes I remember The Masque Ballroom. It was in Walford rd.Sparkbrook. We danced our first Ballroom dance competition there.
As we did not have any transport we packed our gear in suitcases and went on the bus .We did not win of course but just to dance
in such a beautiful ballroom complete with live orchestrer was quite an experience. I was about 16yr. at the time but I have never
forgotten it, We also danced at Casino but I did not know it used to be The Grand Theatre. Never to old to learn.
Betty
Yes I remember The Masque Ballroom. It was in Walford rd.Sparkbrook. We danced our first Ballroom dance competition there.
As we did not have any transport we packed our gear in suitcases and went on the bus .We did not win of course but just to dance
in such a beautiful ballroom complete with live orchestrer was quite an experience. I was about 16yr. at the time but I have never
forgotten it, We also danced at Casino but I did not know it used to be The Grand Theatre. Never to old to learn.
Betty
