Theatre

"T" is for "Theatre" and today's photo shows Guide Bridge Theatre, which is situated in Audenshaw, just a few yards outside the boundary of Ashton.

At first sight the building looks more like a warehouse than a theatre, which is not surprising, as it was built as a warehouse for Fox's Glacier Mints!

Ashton Repertory Club was formed in 1942 and converted a store-room at the Co-op shop in Hillgate into a small theatre where 12 plays a year were staged! In 1971 the club bought the warehouse at Guide Bridge and transformed it into the theatre. The club re-named itself Ashton and Audenshaw Repertory Club but is now known simply as Guide Bridge Theatre. Major alterations were carried out in 1986 and the stage was renewed in 1996. In 2009 a new entrance corridor was created. Although the Theatre became a Limited Company in 2010 it is still completely run by volunteers.

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See Google Street View of this location.

"Theatre" is a contribution to ABC Wednesday. For more "T" posts from around the world please follow this link.
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Theatre Tavern

The Theatre Tavern on Oldham Road.

This pub began life in 1840 as a combined corner shop and beer house. In 1869 it was named The Robin Hood and Little John, eventually becoming known as the Robin Hood. In recent years it changed its name to the Theatre Tavern, being adjacent to Tameside Hippodrome theatre. Perhaps the pub name will be changed again now that the theatre has closed its doors.

The tiled lettering shown in yesterday's photo is on the side wall of the pub, in Cotton Street.

Bowing out?

The Advertiser this week reports that a shadow is hanging over the future of Tameside Hippodrome. [see report]

The 1200-seat theatre, on Oldham Road, Ashton, belongs to Tameside Council but has been managed for them by Live Nation since 1993. Live Nation. which also runs the Palace, Apollo and Opera House in Manchester, is not renewing its contract.

The future of the theatre depends on whether the council is able to attract another agency to manage it.

The theatre opened in 1904 as the Empire Theatre. These days many people's idea of an entertaining afternoon out seems to be a visit to IKEA just along the road!