Playhouse Theatre, Manchester
Encyclopedia
The Playhouse Theatre, originally known as the Hulme Hippodrome, was built in Hulme
, Manchester
, between 1901 and 1902 and opened on 6 October 1902. It and the nearby Grand Junction Theatre
, built at the same time, were part of the theatrical empire of W. H. Broadhead. The two theatres were connected by an arcade, at the centre of which was Broadhead's company headquarters.
The Hippodrome presented mainly variety acts, while the Grand Junction concentrated on staging dramatic productions. In 1905 the names of the theatres were interchanged: the Hippodrome became the Grand Junction, and the variety performances were transferred to the new Hippodrome. Some time around 1929 the building was converted into a cinema, and was renamed the Junction Picture Theatre. It was sold in 1950 and converted back into a theatre, renamed The Playhouse. The first performance in the newly converted theatre took place on 22 January 1951, The Happiest Days of Your Life
, a farce that had recently been made into a film. In 1956 the BBC
bought The Playhouse as a production venue for radio and television shows, the first of which, a televised revue entitled Call It A Day, was broadcast in 1956. The last BBC production in the theatre took place on 25 August 1986. With funding provided by Manchester City Council
and other groups, the building was subsequently bought and converted into an arts centre, now called the Nia Centre, which contains a 900-seat theatre.
Hulme
Hulme is an inner city area and electoral ward of Manchester, England. Located immediately south of Manchester city centre, it is an area with significant industrial heritage....
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, between 1901 and 1902 and opened on 6 October 1902. It and the nearby Grand Junction Theatre
Hulme Hippodrome
The Hulme Hippodrome, originally known as the Grand Junction Theatre and Floral Hall, opened in Hulme, Manchester, on 7 October 1901. It and the nearby Playhouse Theatre, built at the same time, were part of the theatrical empire of...
, built at the same time, were part of the theatrical empire of W. H. Broadhead. The two theatres were connected by an arcade, at the centre of which was Broadhead's company headquarters.
The Hippodrome presented mainly variety acts, while the Grand Junction concentrated on staging dramatic productions. In 1905 the names of the theatres were interchanged: the Hippodrome became the Grand Junction, and the variety performances were transferred to the new Hippodrome. Some time around 1929 the building was converted into a cinema, and was renamed the Junction Picture Theatre. It was sold in 1950 and converted back into a theatre, renamed The Playhouse. The first performance in the newly converted theatre took place on 22 January 1951, The Happiest Days of Your Life
The Happiest Days of Your Life
The Happiest Days of Your Life is a 1950 British comedy film directed by Frank Launder, based on the play by John Dighton. The two men also wrote the screenplay. It's one of a stable of classic British film comedies produced by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat for British Lion Film Corporation. The...
, a farce that had recently been made into a film. In 1956 the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
bought The Playhouse as a production venue for radio and television shows, the first of which, a televised revue entitled Call It A Day, was broadcast in 1956. The last BBC production in the theatre took place on 25 August 1986. With funding provided by Manchester City Council
Manchester City Council
Manchester City Council is the local government authority for Manchester, a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. It is composed of 96 councillors, three for each of the 32 electoral wards of Manchester. Currently the council is controlled by the Labour Party and is led by...
and other groups, the building was subsequently bought and converted into an arts centre, now called the Nia Centre, which contains a 900-seat theatre.