LIKE many aspects of Stonyhurst, the idea of a Centenaries Theatre has evolved, changing shape and form, over a number of years. The finished pro duct is a facility that has both physical beauty and an extraordinary sense of purpose. It is a theatre in the
Beauty and a sense of purpose
semi-round, with a stage situated below a half moon of t i e r ed cushi oned benches — the perfect size for the smallest of St Mary's Hall boys to the tallest of adults. Huilt with the public in
mind, it is designed for the handicapped and hearing impaired, as well as boast ing tile latest in compu terised sound and lighting equipment.
Mr Kory O'Krien, the
headmaster of St Mary’s Hall, recalled the story behind the remarkable
theatre, which has the dual purpose of providing both the Stonvhurst and Kibble Valley communities with a state-of-the-art
facility. "When it started off, it
was going to be a school theatre. Hut after a while it began to seem ridiculous to build a theatre such as this without making it available to the Kibble Valley,” he said.
"It's just opened up hun
dreds of exciting possibili ties for everyone in the Kibble Valley. A theatre which started off as some thing that was necessary, because the old one was too smal l , has become something much greater.”
It was his predecessor, Kory O’Krien
minuted the idea of a Cen tenaries Theatre while he was headmaster of St Mary's Hall. Mr Amvyl, in turn, became the director of the Centenaries Appeal, which helped finance the £500,001) building. Once the wheels were in
motion, Mr Mike Davies, of Liverpool architects Edmund Kirby, and Tar mac building site manager Mr Fred Bryant were the
brains behind the physical t lev eI o))ment o f the project. Even the six months of
construction, much of which was subcontracted to local f i rms, went smoothly, winning Mr Bryant the North West section of the Bui lding Manager of the Year Awards. Along the way, the Kib
Mr Peter Amvyl, who ger- 71991 [NIMIS-lX.Vr WINE MJKOIANT OP THE YEAH. WHICH WIN!
ble Valley Council was consulted to produce a
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Stonyhurst College and
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school theatre that could also double as a public facility. This emphasis included turning the old theatre into a large multi purpose area, where St Mary's catering manager Mr John Hitchen will be able to handle private or public functions. “The theatre is so flexi
ble. As a school, we have religious services in there, lectures, debates, visiting speakers and assemblies, as well as drama work shops and productions," Mr O'Brien explained. "The theatre can also
serve Stonyhurst College and the local community in a variety of capacities. It's a remarkable faci l ity. Kight from the word go, there was a feel about tbe place. It’s a great example of a building that is abso- lut e l v r i ght purpose.”
for i ts All advertising
co-ordinated b y
MANY St Mary’s Hall boys will use the Centen aries Theatre oil an almost daily basis.
The theatre lias created
a magnificent setting for both the workshops of artistic director Mrs Mary .Jones and the classes and examinations of speech and drama tutor Mrs Eileen Clews.
Together, the pair have built a formidable reputa
An incredible duo
tion for theatrical work at St Mary’s Hall and now have an ideal arena for continuing the acting tra dition so long associated with Stonyhurst. ''The t wo of t hem
together are incredible. I don’t think there is any school in England with their combined expertise,” commented headmaster Mr Kory O’Brien. Mrs Jones presently works with about SO of the
SINCLAIR
QUALITY CARPETS are pleased to have supplied and fitted all the floor covering in the neiv
CENTENARIES THEATRE]
45/51 Shakespeare St, Southport, Tel: (0704) 549996
PORTER, PARKINSON LTD - Joinery Contractors -
are pleased to have carried out all the main joinery work and internal fittings on the new
“CENTENARIES THEATRE” DUTTON WORKS, Nr LONGRIDGE, PRESTON
Tel: (0254) 878426
105 day boys and 05 board ers at St Mary’s Hall on everything from sound and lighting to improvisation and full-scale dramatic productions.
Mrs Clews, mi the other
band, trains pupils for the London Academy of Music and Art examinations, as well as the Blackburn Fes tival of Speech, Music and Dance.
Bulb are full of praise
for the facility and the opportunities afforded for fledgling actors to spread their dramatic wings.
E i I e e n C I e w s a n d (above) pupi ls Inking p a rt in a d r a m a workshop
WHALLEY CORN MILLS
Brook House Farm. Mltton Road, Whalley Tel (0254) 824643
Large selection of animal & pet foods at very competitive rates.
We are pleased to supply feed for the rare breeds of animals and pets at St. Mary's Hall.
“Many congratulations on your new Theatre Centenaries”
!Q J. Hemp stock & Co. Ltd.
Plumbers and Mechanical Engineering Contractors - Load Sheet Specialists
are pleased to be associated with the
j ffQrl j ^
CENTENARIES THEATRE 116-118 South St, Openshaw,
Manchester Tel: 061 223 0638
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