Such a shame to see such a beautiful, historical building half knocked down and left to the elements. I have never done a theatre before and really enjoyed it, although it was very dangerous in parts, and access was very hard work with my arms now black and blue with bruising.
The stairs are absolutely beautiful, and really photogenic.
Lots of drug pharraphanallia about, and signs of people sleeping here at some point, but fortunately nobody about today.
Some history-
The Sandonia ‘Kinema’ and Theatre opened in 1920 as ‘cine-variety’ theatre, with both live performances and films being shown. It was designed by local architect Henry T. Sandy of Sandy & Norris, with an attractive white faience facade, reminiscent of this early phase of cinema building before the streamlined art deco style became the dominant form of cinema design in the 1930s onwards.
A huge central recessed arch forms the main entrance, which is flanked by one small shop either side (now boarded up), with the name ‘Sandonia’ in the stonework over the entrance. A semi-circular glazed central window is embellished with decorative oculi, garlands, and busts. Inside, a small foyer with two pairs of double doors lead to the stalls and stairs to upper foyer. The oval shaped upper foyer featured a glazed lantern.
The theatre is located some way to the north of Stafford town centre and initially it was not a great success. It was closed, sold and reopened several times until a sound system was installed in 1930 to allow it to screen 'talkies'.
Cinema use lasted until the 1960s at which point it was converted into a bingo hall, which ceased in 1990. In 1991 the stalls in the auditorium were converted to use as a snooker hall. The stalls rake was split into two terraces and the stage given a false floor over the original rake to provide level floors for the tables. A low false ceiling was installed over the stalls at balcony level and above the stage in the fly tower, but the safety curtain reportedly remained in situ. The projectors were removed and sold to a private collector.
Several applications to convert the building to an entertainment centre with bar in the late 1990s were refused on grounds on inadequate parking in the area, and the snooker hall subsequently closed in the early 2000s and the building has remained empty and disused since.
The stairs are absolutely beautiful, and really photogenic.
Lots of drug pharraphanallia about, and signs of people sleeping here at some point, but fortunately nobody about today.
Some history-
The Sandonia ‘Kinema’ and Theatre opened in 1920 as ‘cine-variety’ theatre, with both live performances and films being shown. It was designed by local architect Henry T. Sandy of Sandy & Norris, with an attractive white faience facade, reminiscent of this early phase of cinema building before the streamlined art deco style became the dominant form of cinema design in the 1930s onwards.
A huge central recessed arch forms the main entrance, which is flanked by one small shop either side (now boarded up), with the name ‘Sandonia’ in the stonework over the entrance. A semi-circular glazed central window is embellished with decorative oculi, garlands, and busts. Inside, a small foyer with two pairs of double doors lead to the stalls and stairs to upper foyer. The oval shaped upper foyer featured a glazed lantern.
The theatre is located some way to the north of Stafford town centre and initially it was not a great success. It was closed, sold and reopened several times until a sound system was installed in 1930 to allow it to screen 'talkies'.
Cinema use lasted until the 1960s at which point it was converted into a bingo hall, which ceased in 1990. In 1991 the stalls in the auditorium were converted to use as a snooker hall. The stalls rake was split into two terraces and the stage given a false floor over the original rake to provide level floors for the tables. A low false ceiling was installed over the stalls at balcony level and above the stage in the fly tower, but the safety curtain reportedly remained in situ. The projectors were removed and sold to a private collector.
Several applications to convert the building to an entertainment centre with bar in the late 1990s were refused on grounds on inadequate parking in the area, and the snooker hall subsequently closed in the early 2000s and the building has remained empty and disused since.
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. I wonder what will happen. It can't stay like that forever, surely!?
would have put me off anymore exploring that day.
