Stockton Globe

153 High Street,
Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1PL

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Stockton Globe (Official)

Additional Info

Operated by: Ambassador Theatre Group

Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd.

Architects: Percy Lindsay Browne

Firms: Percy Lindsay Browne & Son

Functions: Concerts, Live Music Venue, Live Performances, Live Theatre

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Globe Theatre, ABC Stockton-on-Tees,

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 440843.904.0071

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Stockton Globe

The Globe Theatre opened on 16th December 1935, and is the third Globe cinema building on the site.

The first was a pre-war cinema of approx. 500 seats which was demolished in 1925 and replaced by the second Globe Picture House with 1,200 seats which in turn closed on 20th April 1935, and was completely demolished to make way for the existing Globe Theatre building which opened with 2,649-seats an amazing 8 months later.

This was a variety theatre and had no film programming until 1937 when it was bought by Associated British Cinema(ABC) - however a projection suite was part of the original design. ABC continued to present live shows on regular occasions amidst the film fare.

Opera, Ballet and an annual pantomime featured strongly together with touring variety, musicals, and latterly pop concerts.

The Globe Theatre was re-named ABC in 1967. It was closed on 15th June 1974.

A very short-lived attempt was then made to restore it as a theatre before Mecca Bingo Club took over from 1978 to c.1996.

It has remained unused since then.

The Globe Theatre was designed by Percy L. Browne & Son of Newcastle Upon Tyne for brothers Charles and Alfred Lewis and was constructed by local firm Arthur McLeod Ltd. of Thornton on Tees. Fibrous plasterwork was by Messrs Webster Davidson & Co. Ltd. of Sunderland. The building cost a reported 75,000 pounds.

The imposing façade has four sets of double doors in the wide frontage with 10 large metal framed windows (by Messrs F Braby & Co. of Glasgow) on 1st and 2nd floor levels - five on each floor, grouped 1-3-1.

In-between the groupings are two squat towers with ornamental iron grills running up both levels. There is a further window at the top of each tower and between the towers is a 3rd floor housing the projection suite which windowless expanse once contained the simple lettering GLOBE.

The frontage is almost symmetrical - the left side has an extra small bay containing two small windows. There are three circular plaques between the 3 central windows the central one of which depicted comedy and tragedy. The whole is enlivened with fluted plaster typical of the period. A square canopy ran over the street from tower to tower.

Two shop units are incorporated, one on either side - at some point shortly before 1996 these were bricked in and the lower frontage tiled, the façade was also repainted at this point.

Apart from the removal of the lettering, the replacement of the canopy, the tiling and the addition of some railings on the roof the façade is unaltered and appears to be in good condition.

The doors give access to a small vestibule and four further pairs of doors - some with etched glass - lead into the main foyer and box office. This is actually, as at the Manchester Opera House, located in the circle void but is surprising large.

It is totally as built not having been spoiled by false ceilings. Good plasterwork of square ceiling recesses edged with fluted plaster but replacement of original lights by unattractive ‘Mecca’ fittings.

At one side is an office. Pleasing amount of natural light gives the area a rather more spacious feel than is actually warranted. Concrete stairs down in each outer corner lead to a small stalls foyer, doors give direct access to the lower circle and stairs up (above the stalls stair) lead to the rear circle foyer which is lit by the three central 2nd floor windows and is now converted into a bar.

The shop space is not incorporated into the theatre.

The auditorium is on two levels and seated, depending on the source 2,574, 2,429, 2,400 or 2,372. A huge stalls floor retains its original saucer rake and now has bingo tables instead of rows of seats. The circle is also vast with 19 rows of tip up chairs.

However the sightlines from both areas are outstandingly good as the circle is somewhat higher than average meaning that the entire proscenium is visible from the stalls back row.

The circle front is almost plain with a geometric cube design along the lower portion and is curved but not returned to the proscenium wall.

The expanse of wall is instead filled by an rectangular recess containing a fountain of light. Above this are two large bas relief panels depicting sight and sound - the right hand side one has been badly damaged by what looks like the insertion of a loudspeaker.

The proscenium is rectangular and has plaster strapwork together with concealed lighting still containing coloured bulbs at the upper levels, these were like the light fountains and the two deep rectangular ceiling recesses connected to a holophane lighting board which gently varied the colours when the house was lit.

The whole of the anti-proscenium is richly decorated with angular plasterwork and has the general feeling of say the Stockport Plaza (Grade II Listed). The ceiling over the front stalls is divided into sections and contains a large rectangular recess with concealed lighting.

A similar recess exists above the circle also with hidden lighting and containing the projection ports for film presentations. The plasterwork is again of an outstanding quality and is again, panel excepted, intact.

Indeed given that the building has been unused since 1996, it is in a very good state. Damp and with obvious signs of water penetration but no falls of or bulging plaster. <br><br>The original colour scheme (painted by Messrs Fred A Foster (Nottingham) Ltd of Mapperley) had a deep jade carpet with lighter seating and shades of green, fawn and gold on the walls and ceiling.

It sported a subdued ‘Mecca Bingo’ colour scheme - not as garish as some of their halls but similar style of colours and lights.

The stage is large, raked though not steeply and has adequate, but not generous, wing space. The get-in doors have been bricked up but were awkwardly 3 metres above stage level as the stalls are so extensively sunk below ground level.

The only false ceiling in the place is above the stage making examination of the grid impossible. It is likely that the safety curtain and machinery are intact above this as it would make no sense to strip them when so little else has been altered.

An orchestra pit has been covered over and replaced by bingo paraphernalia but otherwise the stage is unaltered with no access to the bingo players as has happened at so many other halls.

Dimensions from the British Theatre Directory state the proscenium width to be 49'2" with a height of 37' to 40', depth of stage 39'2", height of grid 60' with 26 counterweight and 13 hemp lines.

Descriptions of the building have often mentioned the pierrot and pierrette theme which looking at contemporary reports seem to have consisted of four large decorative mirrors edged in a deep green glass depicting pierrot, pierrette, columbine and harlequin. These were designed by Stanley M. Scott and manufactured and fitted by Reed Millican & Co. of Newcastle upon Tyne. There is now no trace of these - if they were situated in the auditorium, as is likely, they must have proved very distracting for films and could well therefore have been removed at an early stage.

This is an excellent example of its type which has been so very little altered as to be considered intact. The condition is good, a return to live use would not be prohibitive and with a good catchment population with no other large theatre nearer than a hour away (Sunderland Empire) should meet with success. It is unusual to see such a good example of a saucer raked floor.

– From Ian Grundy’s report which was instrumental in getting a Grade II Listed building status for the Globe in 2001.

In March 2010, it was announced that the Globe Theatre would be renovated for live theatre use, work began in early-2011, for a planned 2012 re-opening. Delays to the renovation set in, eventually Lottery funding was given to complete the restoration, which was still continuing in 2018 when further structural problems were found and completion was set for Spring 2020, but due to the Covis-19 Pandemic, this was delayed. Renovations were completed in May 2021.

The seating capacity has been reduced to 1,650 with 816-seats in the stalls and 834-seats in the circle. The total capacity including standing is 3,034 with 2,200 standing places in the stalls when seating is removed. There is also a 250-seat venue created in an adjoining building. The first performance booked to appear is on 30th September 2021 when comedian Adam Kaye appears in “This is Going to Hurt”.

Contributed by Ian Grundy

Recent comments (view all 41 comments)

terry
terry on August 11, 2020 at 9:31 am

Cost has risen to £27.9 million now :–

https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2020-07-10/renovation-costs-of-troubled-stockton-globe-rise-again

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/gallery/new-pictures-show-stockton-globe-17661229

terry
terry on August 11, 2020 at 9:35 am

It wouldn’t be so bad if the extra £1.2 million were to be spent on some decent decor instead of that ice cold, bland, devoid of atmosphere and warmth interior as seen in the video on the ATG site…..

terry
terry on September 26, 2020 at 9:37 am

Paloma Faith to reopen the Globe:–

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18746097.paloma-faith-announced-first-act-stocktons-restored-globe-theatre/

terry
terry on September 28, 2020 at 4:42 pm

The Northern Echo is running a series of articles about the theatre. Part 1 below:–

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18750001.raising-curtain-history-globe-stockton/?action=success

I felt I had to add some corrections after the online article whilst putting other errors to one side in a bid to confine my comments to the Globe itself.

I am, however, still of the same opinion I have held for a long time i.e. that , at least as far as cinemas are concerned, journalism tends to be very lazy.

In this article, for example, it is said that the owners of the original Globe built the current structure as a huge provincial Variety Theatre following the rebuilding of the town’s Hippodrome as a cinema in 1932 after a disastrous fire. Yes,the Hippodrome was rebuilt in the Art Deco style but it retained full stage facilities and was often still used as a theatre. It was not unknown for both the ABC and the Hippodrome to present live shows concurrently, most notably during the Festive Season when big name pantomimes were presented at both venues.

Another point I chose not to pick up upon is the statement “1937, April 5. The Globe reopened as an ABC – an Associated British Cinema, a fully fledged cinema. But the cinema craze was also nearing the end of its run.”

This remark is beyond me, given that admissions in the UK would not peak until 9 years later in 1946 with 1,635 million. Even in the year 1937, 946 million is over 5 times the 176 million recorded in 2019. I shudder to think what the final number will be in 2020 and I do feel extremely sorry for those independent exhibitors who continue to fly the flag here in the UK notwithstanding the pressure from the ‘Mighty Multiplexes’.

terry
terry on November 4, 2020 at 5:14 pm

New ‘fly through’ of how the theatre may appear when it reopens:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_1SjZQzPZQ

This, I have to say, looks slightly better than the previous one although if ATG DO intend to fit replicas of the house tabs famously associated with the palatial Globe Theatre when ABC owned and ran it (identical to the London Palladium bullion carrying ‘swags’) they are certainly not shown………

There appears also to be a ‘mix up’ with the foyers as the one shown as the ‘main foyer’ is actually the ‘stalls foyer’ (subterranean) whilst the actual ‘main foyer’ (at street level and which doubles as the ‘front circle foyer’) is not shown. What we are led to believe is the ‘circle foyer’/bar is the ‘rear circle foyer’ which also served as the main bar area in ABC’s time.

The Paloma Faith performance which will reopen the venue sold out within three hours whilst I am unaware of how the advance is going for the second ATG booking, ‘Diversity’ (pardon my ignorance for not having heard of them). I believe that Jools Holland (presumably with his associates including Ruby Turner) will be another early attraction and that should be worth a visit.

The above presupposes that we shall have returned to some kind of normality by late next year. Here’s hoping!

terry
terry on February 3, 2021 at 9:59 am

Photo uploaded showing the restoration of the long dormant Stockton theatre at an advanced stage.

I am guessing that, after all, they are adopting the original décor scheme. There are what appear to be rural or garden murals above the alcoves which house the ornamental fountains. These originally had an illuminated water effect so I wonder if they’ll get round to wiring them up ?

One thing that puzzled me: “What the hell is that in the middle of the fancy pelmet?” . By enlarging the photo I see that it is “1935” – the year the theatre opened .

terry
terry on March 2, 2021 at 2:54 pm

Photo uploaded of the ABC Globe as it appeared in ABC’s time in the 1950’s. I have repeatedly said that I hope the maroon bullion carrying house tabs will be replicated when the the theatre reopens but I have the gravest of doubts……..

Harry Rigby
Harry Rigby on August 23, 2021 at 3:39 am

Further to Terry’s comments below about articles in the Northern Echo, here is a posting in that newspaper last September from ‘Charter123’ It would be good if we could locate the gentleman who posted this comment on the Northern Echo’s website in October last year, though perhaps he is already one of us! Charter1232 8th September 2020 01:30 pm User ID: 1799630 1I worked on the Management side of ABC for over 20 years and George Skelton, Manager of the 2,429 capacity ABC Globe, was a very good friend during the 1970’s and 1980’s. George often spoke about his years at the Globe where he transferred in 1962 from the ABC Ritz Huddersfield. He NEVER referred to any plans of ABC to dispose of the theatre in the mid 1960’s when it was their top live venue (after the ABC Blackpool) and whilst films continued to perform well.

When the 1970’s arrived, various schemes were considered for the Globe including a subdivision which would have retained the stage. There were various others mooted at the time. When, however, the adjacent Department Store, Debenhams wanted to expand their premises they offered ABC an eye watering sum which they accepted and with this capital they purchased the Essoldo Newcastle to give them a long term foothold in that city where their own theatre, the ABC Haymarket, had been compulsorily purchased by Newcastle University and leased back to ABC on very short term tenure. For some reason Debenhams never proceeded with their expansion plans and after briefly leasing the Globe to the Lipthorpe Brothers (Fiesta Club etc) they sold it to Mecca who did indeed maintain it to a high standard until they moved to new purpose built premises in 1997. Most ironically, Debenhams recently closed whilst the Globe prepares to reopen following a £27.9 million refurbishment. Incidentally, the photo of the Globe as the ABC Stockton (ABC dropped individual names at most of their theatres in the 1960’s) showing ‘The Ten Commandments’ was taken in 1973 when the film was on re-release. When in 1958 (in the UK ) Paramount originally launched the film it played on the Rank Organisation Circuit (Odeons and Gaumonts) and in certain independent cinemas (in Stockton it played at the Essoldo on the High Street) but that film corporation later switched their product to ‘Associated British Cinemas’.

terry
terry on August 26, 2021 at 7:10 am

FAO: Harry Rigby

‘Charter 123’ (‘The Northern Echo’) and ‘Terry’ (‘Cinema Treasures’) are, I am sure you will not be too surprised to learn, one and the same!

Occasionally, I see cinema/theatre related articles in the local press (invariably awash with inaccuracies) and I, in turn, occasionally respond, resigned to the fact that few , if any, will care in the least. You, I am happy to say, are one of the rare exceptions, Harry.

I run the risk of being lambasted for saying this but , having seen footage (on local News Programmes such as ‘Look North’) and photographs of the results of the £29 million refurbishment of the Globe, I am not at all impressed: The ‘original?’ décor was described by a friend as looking like “a sickly wedding cake” and I have to agree with him. The houselights are like something out of a 1970’s ‘triple’ conversion (note the originals in the photo in the relevant section here) and where - oh where - are the famous bullion carrying maroon velvet house tabs??? (Front Curtains for the uninitiated).

As I say, I shall no doubt be criticised for having the temerity to make these observations, the usual tone being along the following lines: “Don’t be such an old misery! Be thankful that the place has been saved!” I, of course, am indeed thankful that the building has been saved but, having said that, one would at least hope that attention to the finer details would be duly paid when these schemes are carried out.

I am sorry to say that the place looks nowhere nearly as impressive as it did in that photo taken by ‘Cosmos’ (Glasgow) following a redec/refurbishment in 1954 upon ABC’s installation of CinemaScope.

Good to hear from you, Harry!

terry
terry on August 27, 2021 at 5:36 am

I see that the latest figure is £30,000,000…………………

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