After a tip off from a friend that access was possible, a group of us went down to check that it was still the case! Places get re-sealed so quickly these days now Youtube vids giving away all the secrets have sprung up!
I'm an old school explorer who sees us as a hidden community who keep things quiet unless it involves other experienced explorers. Rather than making money from it and showing their full identities.
Rant over - the site certainly did not disappoint, it was in good condition compared to other theatres I have seen and packed with little back rooms, hidden stairways and boarded up Cheap seats.
On October 4th 1899 an established actor called Sir Henry Irving laid the foundation stone. Accompanying him was his personal assistant Bram Stoker; creator of Count Dracula which set the bench mark on the Horror / Vampire genre.
Just over a year later the Victoria opened with seating for Two thousand, this would be increased to Three Thousand in 1901.
It was put to a vote that alcohol was to be prohibited, apparently people getting up to go to the bar was too disruptive during performances. It was brutally opposed.
It was also used as a cinema on occasion which became its' full time occupation until 1958 when it was closed.
It re-opened as a theatre for local groups and pantomimes and then as a bingo hall.
Which it remained as to 2018 when it closed it's doors for the last time.
Today it is in surprisingly good condition; there are holes in the roof and pigeons but decay has not over whelmed it yet. If no one does something to it, it is destined to rot and yet another symbol of the 'Good old days' will be lost forever.
up.
I'm an old school explorer who sees us as a hidden community who keep things quiet unless it involves other experienced explorers. Rather than making money from it and showing their full identities.
Rant over - the site certainly did not disappoint, it was in good condition compared to other theatres I have seen and packed with little back rooms, hidden stairways and boarded up Cheap seats.
On October 4th 1899 an established actor called Sir Henry Irving laid the foundation stone. Accompanying him was his personal assistant Bram Stoker; creator of Count Dracula which set the bench mark on the Horror / Vampire genre.
Just over a year later the Victoria opened with seating for Two thousand, this would be increased to Three Thousand in 1901.
It was put to a vote that alcohol was to be prohibited, apparently people getting up to go to the bar was too disruptive during performances. It was brutally opposed.
It was also used as a cinema on occasion which became its' full time occupation until 1958 when it was closed.
It re-opened as a theatre for local groups and pantomimes and then as a bingo hall.
Which it remained as to 2018 when it closed it's doors for the last time.
Today it is in surprisingly good condition; there are holes in the roof and pigeons but decay has not over whelmed it yet. If no one does something to it, it is destined to rot and yet another symbol of the 'Good old days' will be lost forever.
up.
