O/T When Burnley was Britain's theatre capital

[ClaretTim]

Never knew about this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44025128" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nil_desperandum]

There have been threads about this before, but not for some time.
There was a plaque in the foyer at the Vic Theatre thanking the people of Burnley for their hospitality to the Vic- Wells company during the war. It was saved after demolition and used to be on the wall of the old music library before it closed.
For those who don't know, the Victoria was directly next to the Empire on St James St and held over 2,000 people. It was the last "professional" theatre in Burnley, but the first of the big 3 to be demolished.
Although they didn't perform there, Sir Laurence Olivier and his then wife Vivien Leigh (Scarlett O'Hara) came to the Vic in 1941 to visit colleagues during that war period. Theatrical digs at the time were apparently in the Stoneyholme area (Rectory)
It is a period of the theatre company's history that is not covered in much detail in any of the books about the company, but you can find plenty in Burnley Express archives if you have time to dig.
Unfortunately there are very few people still around today to relate their memories of this time, and fill in the details.

[LoveCurryPies]

Fascinating story.

[gawthorpe_view]

I seem to remember that the large bay fronted terraced houses over looking the River Calder, Victoria Terrace, were guest houses frequented by the actors.
Victoria Terrace was at the bottom of Holme Road looking out towards the park.

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[Wile E Coyote]

it was a good story, never knew any of that. I did once hear about julie andrews making her professional debut on the burnley stage, and there was the big hippodrome theatre that held 3000 seats, it was on st james street.

[Wile E Coyote]

Rectory road was known as a place for actors lodgings .

[gawthorpe_view]

Rectory road was known as a place for actors lodgings .

Quite so it appears.

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