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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United Kingdom » Northern Ireland » Belfast, Antrim » Grand Opera House

Grand Opera House

Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland
2-4 Great Victoria Street
, Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom BT2 7HR
(map)
02890241919
Status: Open
Screens: Single Screen
Style: East Indian
Function: Live Performances, Opera House, Stage Shows
Seats: 1001
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Frank Matcham
Firm: Unknown
Grand Opera House
Gorgeous interior view of the Grand Opera House
Photo courtesy of Ian Grundy
Beautiful and of national importance, this Frank Matcham designed theater was used as a cinema for over 22 years, from 1949 to 1972, despite being almost totally unsuited to the task!

It opened December 23, 1895 and had a chequered career - sometimes very successful - sometimes in iminent danger of closure.

Then in 1949 Imperial Cinema and Cinematograph Theatres took a controlling interest on the Opera House and films became the order of the day - although amateurs and a panto sometimes took back the stage.

Taken over by Rank Organisation in 1960 and for a time it was under threat of becoming a bowling alley! However it was deemed unsuitable and films continued under Rank until they closed and boarded up the building in 1972.

A distinctly Indian theme is evident in the auditorium with elephants' heads and intricate plasterwork on the fronts of the two balconies. Delightful range of 'onion domed' boxes either side of the proscenium arch.

Aided by a grade 2 listing in 1974 (the first Belfast building to be so designated) the Opera House survived and in 1975 the long process of restoration began. Re-opening night took place on 15 September 1980.

Despite serious damage from a bomb in 1991 and May 1993, which was swiftly repaired, the Grand Opera House contines very successfully and is a symbol of a rejeuvenating city.

Related Websites

Grand Opera House Belfast
Contributed by Ian Grundy

YOUR COMMENTS

 
A recent exterior photograph of the Grand Opera House here:
http://flickr.com/photos/laurence_cooley/46076844/in/pool-86506957@N00/
posted by KenRoe on Nov 17, 2005 at 1:24am
In 1946 the total seating capacity (as a live theatre) was for 1,888.
Stalls & parterre:823
Boxes(seats):28
Grand Circle:129
Upper Circle:158
Gallery:750

It operated as a full time cinema from 3rd October 1949 until April 1972, during which time it operated with a seating capacity of 1,500.
posted by KenRoe on Jan 2, 2007 at 1:16am
This is the website for the Grand Opera House.

The address that I found is:

Grand Opera House
2-4 Great Victoria Street
Belfast BT2 7BA

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 2, 2007 at 5:17am
Further renovation and extension to the Grand Opera House, Belfast took place in 2006.

This includes a new starkly modern extension at the side, which includes the cleverly named "Baby Grand" bar and also cafe facilities. This provides the box office and the new usual entry to the complex.
posted by irishcine on Jan 28, 2007 at 6:14am
A photo of the Grand Opera House in Belfast, showing the new extension opened in 2006. This photo was taken in January 2007.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43944923@N00/372114873/
posted by irishcine on Jan 28, 2007 at 7:06am
Further photo's - exterior and interior - here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/422455117/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/422455112/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/422455103/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/422455102/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/422455100/
posted by Ian on Mar 15, 2007 at 1:09pm
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