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View Full Version : Archived: Doncaster Gaumont / Odeon. Report May 2009



converse1
12-05-2009, 02:38 PM
Doncaster Gaumont / Odeon.


Potted history, Thanks to Cinema Treasures (http://cinematreasures.org/theater/18617/)

The Gaumont Palace Theatre in Hallgate, Doncaster opened on 3 September 1934, having been designed by W. E. Trent and W. Sydney Trent. It had 2,020 seats and a full stage 67 feet wide, a fly-tower and 11 dressing rooms. It was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/10Rank organ, with an illuminated console on a lift. There was also a large cafe/restaurant.

The Art Deco auditorium was extremely elegant with panelled walls, a curvaceous ceiling with lighting troughs, and a noted painted safety curtain by artist Frank Barnes, depicting the railway industry prevalent in the town. During the late 1960's and throughout the 1960's the Gaumont staged many 'pop' concerts, including, Buddy Holly, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Although it was modernised in 1964, there is much of the original still remaining.

It became the Odeon, one of the last Gaumonts to lose its name, in 1987. This was long after the theatre had been tripled in 1973, with two mini-cinemas under the balcony (seating 144 each) and the main screen with a still impressive 1,003 seats in the former circle and front stalls. This was to retain the use of the large stage.

In 2007 seating had been reduced to 975 in screen 1, although screens 2 (159 seats) and screen 3 (161 seats) have had a few extra squeezed in.

The Odeon was closed on 10th April 2008 with the final film screened being Sean Faris in "Never Back Down". It has been sold to a local company Lazarus Properties, who specialize in town centre re-developments. They had no plans for use of the building at the time of closure, but in February 2009, plans were proposed to demolish and build a casino.

Following on from a couple of excellent reports by Dweeb and Dempsey I made the trip to have a look at this place, it's had a bit of a battering but is still in remarkably good condition. :thumb

Pictures:

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/2501244677_e1ebc7d4a31930sexteriorC.jpg
As it was shortly after opening.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07467.jpg
And today. Why would you cover up that lovely frontage; wonder if it's still there? More on that later!

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07465.jpg
Onto the stage.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07412.jpg
Fly rail and strand flood light.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07458.jpg
Looking up to the grid.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07459.jpg
The Grand Master, not quite an Avolites Diamond, but cutting edge during it's day.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07462.jpg
Detail

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07413.jpg
What not to do.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07407.jpg
Then up to the fly floor.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07411.jpg
Cleat

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07409.jpg
Cradles

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07428-1.jpg
From the circle.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07416.jpg
From the stage, ceiling view.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07456.jpg
The theatre had a 'drop wall' conversion and this was one of the mini's under the circle.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07420.jpg
And this is the other one.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07422.jpg
One of the small projection rooms.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07426.jpg
The main lobby,

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07427.jpg
Up to the circle.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07433.jpg
The main projection room.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07430.jpg
Strand follow spot.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07432.jpg
The Cinemation control console, This beauty would have controlled everything in the building from putting the heating on to starting the projectors!

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07435.jpg
Behind the top frontage of the cinema.

It was at his point I wondered if the frieze work was behind the blue cladding, so I went for a closer look. it was a tight squeeze and I had to be creative how I held the camera, but I got this shot:

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07438.jpg

And then this one!

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07442.jpg

And finally this one.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07450.jpg
So YES the original frontage does survive.

It was then time to go via the circle bar area.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07454.jpg
More original features survive.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Doncaster%20Odeon/DSC07455.jpg
Some goon had tried to burn the place down. :mad:

Thanks for looking. :)