AROUND TOWN
The rise and fall of theatres in Barnsley
The Theatre
Throughout the year, theatre continues to hold prevalence in the hearts of many people who enjoy watching a show, musical or play. Yet at Christmastime, it holds special memories with family pantomimes bringing the magic of theatre to life across generations.
In Barnsley, the theatre scene has fluctuated over the years, with new theatres arising, others warranting different usages, and those which we have lost along the way. Thanks to the chairman of Friends of Barnsley Archives and former actor and producer, Roger Walton, we present to you a brief history of the tales of Barnsley’s forgotten theatres.
The Theatre – Barnsley’s first purpose built theatre
It wasn’t until
1815 that Barnsley received its first theatre, with the Georgian playhouse – aptly called The Theatre – opening on Wellington Street at a cost of £1,400. While The Theatre held a few productions, it was mainly used for meetings by the Rotherham Theological students, with Rev. Ellis of Sheffield Road Calvinistic Chapel referring to it as ‘The Synagogue of Satan’.
In 1878, it became the Salvation Army barracks, before being refurbished to an 800-seater theatre and renamed the Theatre Royal in 1883. However, its rebirth was short lived, with an 1897 bar fire closing the theatre.
Barnsley’s first theatre
Surrey Music Hall
For the working class, the 300-seater Surrey Music Hall was built on Westgate in 1862, opposite where the magistrates’ court is. With popular songs, comedy and variety acts, music halls differed to traditional theatres by allowing smoking and drinking in the auditorium; Surrey made a lot of its money from its two bars, selling a pint of beer for halfpence. Attracting the likes of George Formby Snr and Little Tich, their motto – Cleanliness, Respectability, Refinement and Brilliance – meant it soon rose to popularity.
Barnsley’s first theatre license
The first paid-for performances in Barnsley came in 1798 when touring company, William Collier and William Huggins, secured the initial performance license for financial reward in this area, covering Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
Running for 21 nights, the company brought 12 players with them for outdoor performances, with the Barnsley leg held outside in the Old White Bear Yard on Shambles Street.
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It took 11 months to build, sporting a handsome entrance with American walnut and brass fittings. Cast iron columns supported two horseshoe galleries, with below-ground stalls, a separate gallery entrance and a bar on all three levels. With gas lighting, hot water and heating, stars were treated to above-standard hospitality, with eight dressing rooms in total.
Schools used the theatre for speeches. Amateur theatres were granted production use from 1919. And a whole host of comedians and variety acts took to the stage, including a young
However, after rebranding as the Empire
Palace in 1874, the music hall closed in 1908. Like many others, it became less popular during and after the war, with drinking banned and jazz and swing music taking prevalence. After stints as a club and paper warehouse, the building was demolished in 1955.
Theatre Royal – act two
After the closure of the first Theatre Royal, a second, larger theatre opened on Wellington Street in 1898. With 1,200 seats, the building cost a whopping £16,000 and is one of the country’s most important remaining Victorian theatres.
Harvey Inst
Theatre Royal
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