History of the building
|
|
|
The Civic Theatre occupied the building which was originally built as the Mechanics Institute, or to give it its proper name the Institute of Arts and Science.
In 1860, an architectural competition was announced for the building of a Mechanics Institute on a site in Cookridge Street, and the first prize was awarded to Cuthbert Brodrick, the Leeds architect who had designed the Town Hall and the Corn Exchange. The foundation stone was laid in 1865, it cost nearly £30,000 to build, and opened on June 18th 1868.
In 1860, an architectural competition was announced for the building of a Mechanics Institute on a site in Cookridge Street, and the first prize was awarded to Cuthbert Brodrick, the Leeds architect who had designed the Town Hall and the Corn Exchange. The foundation stone was laid in 1865, it cost nearly £30,000 to build, and opened on June 18th 1868.
In 1925 the Civic Playhouse, affiliated to the British Drama League opened in the Albert Hall with a performance of 'Overture', a comedy by Sutton Vane. It was hoped that this free theatre would be 'a place of entertainment and amusement and a common playground for all those who love the art of theatre.' Admission to the Civic Playhouse was free, but a collection was taken at each performance, and patrons could support the theatre by becoming subscribers (initially six shillings for five performances.)
|
Leeds Civic Playhouse A FREE THEATRE "The Theatre is the most potent cultural influence of modern life. Its appeal is immediate and direct and no community can allow it to be debased or disregarded without permanent injury to its development." (opening programme, 1925) |
|
The main auditorium, named the Albert Hall, was converted to the Leeds Civic Theatre after the Second World War. The main feature of the building was a circular lecture hall, with a gallery supported by cast iron columns. The circular lecture hall, the 'Albert Hall', measuring 73 feet in diameter, and 52 ft high could accommodate 1500 spectators. Eventually the School of Art moved out in 1903, and the educational functions of the Institute were transferred to other buildings, although the Institute Library and The City of Leeds College of Music remained in the building.
"Civic Theatre" & Civic Hall in 1930s
After works carried out in August/September 1949, the building was officially opened as the Civic Theatre on 7th October 1949 .
After works carried out in August/September 1949, the building was officially opened as the Civic Theatre on 7th October 1949 .
|
|
|
The Civic Theatre provided a base for local amateur dramatic companies belonging to the Leeds Civic Arts Guild. Over the years plays were put on by companies such as Leeds Children's Theatre, Leeds Art Theatre, Proscenium Players, Leeds Art Centre Drama Group, Cosmopolitan Players, Montague Burton Players, Silver Liners and Leeds Youth Opera Group. Also there was a diverse programme of drama, concerts and recitals, light entertainment, opera and operettas, dance, pantomime, and children's shows. The Civic was an ideal venue for small companies like the Cambridge Footlights, Hull Truck Theatre Company. The theatre was one of the first venues to stage performances by the Leeds based Phoenix Dance Company in the early 1980s.
|
Exterior, 1960
|
No further changes were made to the theatre until 1983, when Clare Ferraby, who was responsible for the refurbishment of the Grand Theatre, was commissioned to re-design the Civic. The proscenium was re-modelled, using the original pillars and columns from backstage as inspiration for the design. The auditorium was renovated, and the ceiling re-decorated with stencilling and gold leaf. The chandelier was restored and the balcony fronts fitted with specially made brass light fittings.
|
|
view from the wings, 1990s
Box Office, Peter Pan, May 2005
The Civic Theatre closed in 2005 and through Heritage Lottery funding the building reopened as the City Museum in 2008. The Carriageworks Theatre was designed as 'the next stage in Leeds' and opened in November 2005.
