Grand Opera House (York)

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The Grand Opera House [York]was not originally built as a theatre. It was a conversion of two buildings, one a warehouse, the other a Corn Exchange [designed by G.A.Dean 1868]. The architect Mr J.P.Briggs of London was commissioned to perform the conversion which took 3 months and cost £24,000. The theatre opened as The Grand Theatre and Opera House on 20th January 1902 with a performance of a pantomime Little Red Riding Hood, starring #REDIRECT Florrie Ford. 17th July 1902 the first public performances of films in York. Professor Herbert's animated pictures displayed in his 'Biograph Box' The showing of films at the venue became a permanent feature from 1903-1916. 1903 the theatre was renamed becoming the Opera House and Empire theatre. this was an economic move to attract a mass audience as smoking was not permitted in 'high' class theatre but was in music hall type venues; smoking was very fashionable at this time. 1909 a major redecoration of the building was undertaken. 1916 the theatre was now known as the Empire Theatre. 1958 Ernest Shepherd of The Shambles buys the theatre which is now called the S.S.Empire [Shepherd of Shambles]. The stage was removed and the rake to the Stalls floor was removed to give a level surface for roller skating, bingo and wrestling bouts. the theatre remained in this configeration until 1985 when the theatre closed for business. 1987 the property was purchased by the India Pru Company Ltd.who renovated the building and restored the decor to the 1909 Art Nouveau style. 1989 September 26th, the theatre reopens as The Grand Opera House with a performance of Macbeth. after two years with mounting debts the theatre suddenly closes without warning 26th Feb 1993 the theatre reopens maintaining the name the Grand Opera House