Vaudeville Electric Theatre

The Vaudeville Electric Theatre, owned and managed by Mr H.L. Lucoque of Abbey View, Bath, opened on Thursday 14th December 1911. It was a shop conversion, situated opposite the original Bath Electric Theatre and next to the alleyway running down to St. Michael’s Place, home to the Little Theatre cinema.

Previously occupied by Lipton’s Stores, the building was entirely rebuilt by local builder Mr J. Foster and was designed and decorations were by Mr. E. Foster of Bath. A Gaumont projector was installed, the ‘throw’ was 67ft and the screen measured 20ft by 16ft. Admission prices were 3d and 6d, with “fauteuils” (upholstered armchairs) at 1/-.

Business boomed, with the Vaudeville Electric Theatre reportedly taking considerable trade from the Bath Electric Theatre.

A balcony was added in 1915. In November 1917 film of the visit to Bath by King George V was shown, with patrons urged to come along and see themselves on the screen.

However, in 1920, the Bath Electric Theatre was substantially rebuilt, re-opening on 16th December 1920 as the much more substantial Beau Nash Picture House (later ABC). This appears to have dealt a death blow to the Vaudeville Electric Theatre, which closed on Saturday 23rd June 1923.

The-then proprietor, Mr A.E. Vaughan, said that its future was not clear: it might re-open in the autumn, or it might be sold to a “major trading firm”.

In the event, it did not re-open, being listed as “Half Price Stores” in 1924 directories. It was known for many years as Arthur’s Stores. Today the building is a branch of the discount retail chain The Works.

(Source: “The Vaudeville Electric Theatre, Bath” by Ben Doman, published in the March/April 2019 ‘Bulletin’ issued by the Cinema Theatre Association.)

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