Arte e Cultura
Theatre Buildings at Risk Register 2013 Announced
48 theatres feature on Register 2013, published by national advisory public body, The Theatres Trust. Compared to last year there are ten new theatres at risk, seven theatres have been saved, but four have been lost forever.
Penelope Keith CBE DL, Theatres Trust Trustee, said, "More has to be done to protect theatres under threat. The Trust is particularly concerned about the future of Brighton Hippodrome. Plans for the cinema conversion come close to heritage destruction of a Grade II* listed building - and there will be little chance of this wonderful theatre ever being used again for live performance."
For the first time the Trust is publishing the Risk Value associated with each theatre. These provide an assessment of the current risks faced by each building as well as the theatre's quality and significance. The highest score that can be given is six. In Register 2013 sixes include the Brighton Hippodrome (Grade II*), Derby Hippodrome (Grade II), Dudley Hippodrome, Theatre Royal Hyde (Grade II), Alexandra Palace Theatre (Grade II), Hulme Hippodrome (Grade II), Plymouth Palace (Grade II*), the Futurist in Scarborough , and Swansea Palace (Grade II). These theatres are either in a critical physical condition or will be irrevocably altered or demolished.
Theatres rated at five include, Tameside Hippodrome (Grade II), RAF Brampton Little Theatre, Hulme Playhouse (Grade II), Burnley Empire, Darlington Arts Centre, Hulme Playhouse (Grade II), Morecambe Winter Gardens (Grade II*) and Victoria Theatre in Salford .
New additions this year include, the Coronet, Elephant and Castle, London , the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe, and the former Theatre Royal in Manchester (Grade II), all on sites earmarked for redevelopment. A further seven have also come onto the Register, the Curzon/Redstack Playhouse in Bexhill-on-Sea, the Forest Theatre in Berry Hill near Coleford, the Odeon/ Victoria in Bradford , Theatrebarn in Bretforton, Westovian Theatre Pier Pavilion in South Shields , The Brewhouse in Taunton and Conwy Civic Hall.
Lost forever are the St Peters Theatre Southsea, the Cochrane Theatre, and the Mermaid Theatre in London as their local authorities have determined that they are no longer to be classed as theatres in the Planning system and the land they occupy will be redeveloped. The site of the Precinct Theatre in Islington, London has also gone for redevelopment, despite the valiant efforts of campaigners.
Mhora Samuel, Director of The Theatres Trust, said, "We are at risk of losing really important and historic theatre buildings as a result of neglect, development and demolition. It's so sad to see theatres treated in this way. Some have been left to rot and are being destroyed by water damage and rampant Buddleia; others are at the mercy of developers. Our top theatres at risk include those with special heritage status, but this is not protecting them. Brighton Hippodrome, Plymouth Palace, Hulme Hippodrome and Swansea Palace are beautiful theatres that could be reborn in ways that would enable us to continue to appreciate their full splendour. They deserve to be treated better."
The Theatres Trust is pleased however, to report that seven theatre buildings have been removed from the Register as their future is secure. Three are in Scotland , and four in England . They include the Category A Britannia Panopticon in Glasgow , which received funding for repairs and Margate's Grade II* Theatre Royal which has plans for a capital redevelopment. Others that have been removed are the New Victoria/Odeon and Leith Theatre, both in Edinburgh , Stanford Hall Theatre in Stanford -on-Soar, the New Bradford Playhouse, and the Floral Hall in Hornsea, The Floral Hall is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to campaign to save their local theatre. The campaigners formed The Floral Hall Community Centre and now own the freehold of the building.
Each of the top at risk entries has an information sheet and press images, contact Kate Carmichael press@theatrestrust.org.uk to find out more.
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