Strand
20 3rd Street,
Dover,
NH
03820
20 3rd Street,
Dover,
NH
03820
4 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Strand Ballroom (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: M & P Theaters, Paramount Pictures Inc., Publix Theaters Corporation
Functions: Ballroom, Live Performances, Performing Arts
Previous Names: Strand Theater, Strand Ballroom
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
603.343.1899
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Aug 18, 2010 — One former Spinelli circuit theater reopens; another still seeks buyer
- Dec 4, 2009 — Few community theaters left operating in Maine, New Hampshire
- Nov 6, 2009 — Strand in Dover to be auctioned off
- Oct 5, 2009 — Spinelli cinemas in New Hampshire closed
The Strand Theater originally opened on September 22, 1919 with a seating capacity of 900 in orchestra and balcony levels. The balcony has now been divided into two screens with the main orchestra floor remaining intact.
“Now this is a cool old place. It is very old, and very cool. Worth a visit.”
Sadly, the Strand Theatre was closed by Spinelli Theatres in September 2009 and it became a church. In August 2015 it reopened as a performing art/entertainment venue and dance hall known as the Strand Ballroom. By 2019 it was known as The Strand.
Contributed by
John Elwood
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 21 comments)
The Strand was acquired by Rose Realty in September 2009. Though the marquee still reads “Will reopen in Oct” as of today, the theater is still dark, and apparently taking on water. Rumors of private investors are stirring, tough, and a community group has risen out of Facebook to support reopening the venue as an independent picturehouse.
Check ‘em out at http://bit.ly/cs8wRG
Here’s an article about a potential buyer: View link
Very good.
I used to work at the Ioka Theater in Exeter, NH and I am very sad to hear about this theater as well. New Hampshire, and more specifically the piscataqua region or seacoast region of New Hampshire really has nothing left besides that huge/disgusting/ugly/money-making Regal at The Fox Run Mall.
I now currently work at another single screen theater down in Boston, MA…The Stuart Street Playhouse, which used to be known as The Sack 57. I worked briefly at the Somerville Theater, which to me is the best example of a profitable and busy old movie house. I left the Somervile to help The Stuart Street Playhouse take flight. I have been working as a projectionist, but I am extremely interested in attracting people to come to places like this.
It is sad to come home to New Hampshire and not have any place close by to go see a motion picture.
Here is the facebook group started to attract ideas for The Strand’s future… View link
View link
This theater closed earlier this year when Spinelli Cinemas went bankrupt. This article mentions current efforts to sell and reopen the theater: View link
Just an update, folks: The Strand is currently being rented by the Restoration Church of Barrington, NH. The city recently granted them a variance to hold church services there on Sundays. The building’s owner has suggested a second-run theater might be a possibility on days when the church isn’t holding services, but there are no official plans yet. This may be the end of The Strand. Further updates can be found on the Facebook page to which Kyle linked above.
Hey hey people, what was the policy trailer song they always played before the movie. I cant remember, please and thank you
January 2nd, 1932 photo and copy added courtesy of Walter Bell. (Strand blade sign in the background)
January 3, 1932 Fire destroyed both Morrill blocks in Franklin Square. Twenty six businesses were destroyed. The blaze required fireman from as far away as Haverhill, Massachusetts, and burned so hotly that the sprinkler system in the Strand Theater was set off The Morrill Block was rebuilt on a smaller scale. The new building had only two floors and ran from Third Street to Second Street. No cause was discovered for the fire.
I came across this page looking up the history of the Strand Theatre in Dover, NH. I wanted to let people know that it is reopened! Dania Dance, a local dance instructor, purchased the theatre a few months back. November 29, 2015 is the first scheduled venue. The Strafford Wind Symphony is performing at 7 PM. For more information, go to Dania Dance on Facebook.
The Strand Ballroom now has regular shows of all sorts. The Boston BeauTease Burlesque troupe will be performing there on November 4 and for New Year’s Eve! The website is http://thestrandballroom.com/