Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent facts for kids
The main entrance
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| Address | Picadilly Stoke-on-Trent England |
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| Owner | Ambassador Theatre Group |
| Type | Theatre |
| Capacity | 1,600 |
| Opened | 1929 (as Super Cinema), 1999 (as the Regent Theatre) |
| Website | |
| Official Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/ | |
The Regent Theatre is a famous theatre located in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It first opened its doors in 1929, but back then, it was a cinema! Today, it's one of the main theatres in the city centre. The Ambassador Theatre Group runs it for the Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
In 1999, the building was completely changed into a full-time theatre. Since then, it has hosted many exciting shows and musicals. It's also an important base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera in the northern part of England.
Contents
The Regent Theatre's Story
From Cinema to Stage: Early Years
The building started its life as a cinema. It was built by a company called Provincial Cinematograph Theatres. They built several "Regent" cinemas across the country. The one in Stoke-on-Trent was designed by William E. Trent. It opened in 1929, with the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, William Leason, doing the honors.
This building wasn't just for movies. It was also designed for "cine-variety." This meant that in its early days, the stage was used for live performances between films. Imagine watching a movie and then seeing a live show right after! A special Wurlitzer organ was also installed, which could play music for the audience.
Big Changes and Famous Visitors
In 1950, the cinema, then owned by Gaumont British, got a new name: The Gaumont. Around this time, another local theatre closed. This meant The Gaumont started hosting local amateur dramatic performances. These are plays put on by people who act for fun, not as a job.
The Gaumont also became a popular spot for live concerts. Many famous artists performed there. Can you believe that stars like Shirley Bassey, Cliff Richard, Stevie Wonder, and even The Beatles played on its stage?
In 1974, the building changed again. It was split into three smaller cinemas and renamed The Gaumont Film Centre. Then, in 1976, another cinema company called Odeon took over. The cinema was very popular in the 1980s. But in 1989, a brand new, bigger Odeon cinema opened nearby. This led to the old building closing its doors.
A New Beginning: The Theatre Reopens
By the late 1990s, the old cinema building was in poor condition. The inside dome had a lot of water damage. A group called the 'Regent Theatre Trust' was formed to help fix it up. Later, the city council took over the project. They wanted to create a "Cultural Quarter" in the city.
A big part of the old building was taken down. A brand new stage, backstage areas, and an orchestra pit were built. The main seating area was beautifully restored. They also added new facilities for visitors and made sure everyone, including those with disabilities, could easily access the theatre.
After three years and a huge £23 million renovation, the Regent Theatre was ready! It had a special pre-opening concert by a local amateur group called The Porthill Players. Then, on September 22, 1999, it officially reopened with a national tour of the musical Annie. Later that year, in October 1999, Queen Elizabeth II herself officially opened The Regent Theatre.
Since its grand reopening in 1999, the theatre has hosted many exciting national tours. These include popular shows like Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cats, Starlight Express, 42nd Street, and The Woman in Black. Every year, the theatre also puts on a fun pantomime, often starring local celebrity Jonathan Wilkes.
Theatre Design and Style
The Regent Theatre is built in the Art Deco style. This was a very popular design style in the 1920s and 1930s. The front of the theatre is covered in shiny white glazed terracotta. You can see cool mask designs on the corners. These masks represent comedy and tragedy, which are symbols often used in theatre.
