PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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The Devonport Public Hall was situated at the eastern end of Fore Street, Devonport. It was decided that there was a need in Devonport for a new hall suitable for public gatherings and concerts when the only building in the Borough capable of housing such functions, the Mechanics' Institute, was about to be turned into a Free Library. Miss St Aubyn laid the corner stone of this prominent building on July 28th 1880. The architect was a Mr Samuel Knight, FRIBA, of London, while the contractor was Mr James Matcham of Plymouth. The cost of £12,000 was raised by issuing shares of £5 each. The Hall was designed to be used as a theatre as well and it was later much used as such. The Hall could seat 2,500 people and there was a supper room, a card room, cloak room and committee rooms. On the ground floor were six units adapted as stores and offices let to local merchants and adjoining were the residences of the manager and his staff. Devonport Public Hall was opened on Wednesday November 9th 1881 with a grand musical concert. It is believed that an organ was installed as this was later used when the Hall became a cinema. Following the enactment of the Cinematograph Act 1909 Devonport Corporation was quick to issue its first cinematograph licence on January 20thth 1910 to Mr William H Gillman, manager of the Devonport Public Hall. During the week of March 28th 1910 there was an 'Enormous Easter Programme of Star Pictures' being shown, as the adverts stated, 'at the Electric Theatre at the Public Hall'. This was during a concert by Charles Clifford, the world famous harpist. Films shown were: "Miss Kellerman, champion swimmer"; The Cowboy Millionaire"; and the "Field Gun Drill by British Bluejackets". In December 1910 it was announced that the Hall was now to be known as the Electric Cinema.
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