Some Wiki history cause I'm lazy:
The theatre was opened in 1902 with some classic shakespeare plays, In 1914 a movable screen was added onto the stage to enable the theatre to operate as a part-time cinema. In the early 1970s, the popularity of live performances were on the decline and the decision was made to stop them altogether at the theatre. The main auditorium became a full-time cinema and a second cinema opened in 1972 taking up the majority of the original stage area.
In later years, the main auditorium was referred to as 'Royal 1' and the second cinema was referred to as 'Royal 2'. The theatre was also referred to as the 'Royal Cinema' although the 'Theatre Royal' signs remained on the building.
In the early 1990s, the London-based owners discovered problems with fraud at the theatre and decided to close it down in August 1993 as they considered it a liability. The theatre was full for the last few days of business, with people still offering support to Hyde's last local cinema. The final film to be shown was Walt Disney's classic, The Jungle Book.
Visited with @PROJ3CTM4YH3M and @AndyK
Photos:
One of the best features was this well preserved projector room:
Cheers
The theatre was opened in 1902 with some classic shakespeare plays, In 1914 a movable screen was added onto the stage to enable the theatre to operate as a part-time cinema. In the early 1970s, the popularity of live performances were on the decline and the decision was made to stop them altogether at the theatre. The main auditorium became a full-time cinema and a second cinema opened in 1972 taking up the majority of the original stage area.
In later years, the main auditorium was referred to as 'Royal 1' and the second cinema was referred to as 'Royal 2'. The theatre was also referred to as the 'Royal Cinema' although the 'Theatre Royal' signs remained on the building.
In the early 1990s, the London-based owners discovered problems with fraud at the theatre and decided to close it down in August 1993 as they considered it a liability. The theatre was full for the last few days of business, with people still offering support to Hyde's last local cinema. The final film to be shown was Walt Disney's classic, The Jungle Book.
Visited with @PROJ3CTM4YH3M and @AndyK
Photos:
One of the best features was this well preserved projector room:
Cheers
