In this video, we look at the history of several Norwich theatres from past and present. Images courtesy of Norfolk County Council are available at www.picture.norfolk.gov.uk
Superb as usual John! I can remember my Nan taking me to the tented Theatre Royal on Earlham Park during the 90's when the Theatre itself was reroofed. If I remember correctly, it was left without a roof for sometime and we wondered if it would ever reopen again.
I remember visiting Premises in the late 1980s. Was not where it is now. The entrance was between the shop on the right, down an alley, and another shop. With the doorway on the left. The 1980s entrance is still there as a fire escape exit.
Further to Richard Kings comment, In about 1969 I had a French exchange pal who wanted to buy a Norton motorbike, (trendy before the Japanese bikes came in) from Geoff Priest. In the course of discussions, he took us down to the cellar which was pretty much just the river bank under cover. I think when the river was high it used to flood; nonetheless it was full of old motorbikes. There was always his white E type Jaguar in the showroom window, for me, an object of great desire.
This was such an enjoyable and informative video! I would have loved to see the old Hippodrome (Theatre Royal). I should imagine it looked quite magnificent in its heyday. I didn't know there was a skating rink back in the day. We're very lucky in Norwich to have such a thriving theatre scene 🎭❤ Long may it continue!
Thank you! Just to be clear, the Theatre Royal as we now know it was the Hippodrome for about a year before the Grand Opera House (now St Giles Car Park) became the Hippodrome.....
Oh yes, I realised that. I was just making it clear (or maybe not so clear!) that I was referring to the building on the site of the Theatre Royal! 😁@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich
Thank you. So interesting and informative. Well done! Surprising that there isn't a plaque to Richard Condon on the Theatre Royal. Dick was an amazing manager and made the theatre one of the most popular in Europe. The EDP said that he was " one of the best known and assuredly the best loved figure in Norfolk"
As a wee lad, I went to the Hippodrome to see the pantomime Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I'm convinced that they had at least one real bear on the stage - ! 😅
Wonderfully informative, as usual. Thank you. Loads of “Well I never knew that” moments. No mention of “The Garage” near Chapelfield. Perhaps a part II?
The Garage was used for a time as the Theatre Royal's stores and workshops. The auditorium today was the paint shop where scenic cloths were hung and painted by hand.
The building in the background at 1:34 I believe to be the same building in the background off to the right at 1:48. Plunketts archive says it is a picture of a surviving wall of the 1758 building and I am inclined to agree.
If memory serves me correctly the Noverre cinema has been in various states of repair over the years. Pretty sure I went to see a movie there in the 80's after a period of restoration. Also, Maddermarket have shown movies in the past (again if memory serves correctly). Pretty sure I saw one of the early 3D movies there called Treasure of The Four Crowns.
The Noverre was refurbished as a room to hire for events, after the Cinema closed due to falling attendance. Mainly due to multiplex cinemas and video hire for films. The last film shown was Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Then the fire happened. Then it was refurbished again, with bright yellow walls, now they are green.
