PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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EMPIRE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The Empire Theatre was situated at 12/13 Tavistock Street, Devonport. The title deeds commenced with an indenture dated February 3rd 1893 to Mr Samuel Roberts in respect of the building and elevations. Mr Roberts was a local builder and had been responsible for the construction of the Grand Theatre in Stonehouse. Designed by Mr Roberts' son, it was approached through an arcade of shops. It sat about 1,000 and had electric lighting throughout. The manager was Mr John Ryland. The Empire opened on Easter Monday, March 26th 1894. There was an orchestra of 10 players under the directioon of Mr Sydney J Weeks, previously of the Plymouth Promenade Pier. It was still known as the Empire Theatre in June 1896, when the cast put on a special show in aid of the "Drummond Castle" disaster fund but it became the New Metropole Theatre on August 24th 1896.
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