Liverpool Olympia
Encyclopedia
The Liverpool Olympia is situated next to The Grafton Ballroom
on West Derby Road, Liverpool
, England
.
Ltd by architect Frank Matcham
as a purpose built indoor circus and variety theatre. The theatre was a response to the enormous success of Thomas Barrasford
's Royal Hippodrome Theatre (4000 capacity, built 1902, demolished 1984) which stood a very short distance away; the Olympia never managed to meet the success of the Hippodrome, and never managed a profit.
It is one of very few (if not the only one) if its kind left in the country. The animals would appear in the auditorium on a by being lifted from the basement where they lived. Evidence of the lift mechanism and living areas for elephants and lions can still be found under the theatre. The roof space still holds pulley, and wheel mechanisms used my trapeze artists (including the famous Henderson family). The ornate interior still reflects the buildings past with elephants, lions and set into Indian Panelling.
The auditorium is one of the largest in Liverpool; in its heyday it could accommodate 3750 people in the stalls and on 3 balconies. The unusual proscenium stage was at the same level as the stalls, with an orchestra riser against the back wall. The stage had a 15 metres (49.2 ft) wide Proscenium, was 12 metres (39.4 ft) deep, and had a height of 21 metres (68.9 ft).
The theatre was purchased by ABC theatre company, and converted into a Cinema in 1930. and was used up to the Second World War in 1939. Throughout the war, the Olympia was used as a Royal Naval Depot.
After the war, the Olympia did not re-open and was sold to Mecca Leisure Group
in 1948. The Olympia was converted to a Ballroom, and was renamed the Locarno. The Locarno was the converted into a bingo hall between 1964 and 1982 before being closed and re-opening between 1987 and 1990.
s next door.
The Olympia is also a playable arena on the TNA iMPACT! Video Game
.
The Grafton Ballroom
The Grafton Ballroom was an entertainment centre in Liverpool, England that on opened on February 2, 1924. it was a purpose-built dance hall able to accommodate 1200 dancers. It was built next to the Locarno Ballroom which is now known as the Liverpool Olympia...
on West Derby Road, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
History
The Liverpool Olympia was built in 1905 For Moss EmpiresMoss Empires
Moss Empires was a British company formed in Edinburgh from the merger of the theatre companies owned by Sir Edward Moss and Sir Oswald Stoll in 1898. This created the largest British chain of music halls...
Ltd by architect Frank Matcham
Frank Matcham
Frank Matcham was a famous English theatrical architect. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery.-Early career:...
as a purpose built indoor circus and variety theatre. The theatre was a response to the enormous success of Thomas Barrasford
Thomas Barrasford
Thomas Barrasford was a 19th century British entertainment impresario and business entrepreneur, who owned and built a number of theatres across the United Kingdom under the Barrasford Halls brand.-Early career:...
's Royal Hippodrome Theatre (4000 capacity, built 1902, demolished 1984) which stood a very short distance away; the Olympia never managed to meet the success of the Hippodrome, and never managed a profit.
It is one of very few (if not the only one) if its kind left in the country. The animals would appear in the auditorium on a by being lifted from the basement where they lived. Evidence of the lift mechanism and living areas for elephants and lions can still be found under the theatre. The roof space still holds pulley, and wheel mechanisms used my trapeze artists (including the famous Henderson family). The ornate interior still reflects the buildings past with elephants, lions and set into Indian Panelling.
The auditorium is one of the largest in Liverpool; in its heyday it could accommodate 3750 people in the stalls and on 3 balconies. The unusual proscenium stage was at the same level as the stalls, with an orchestra riser against the back wall. The stage had a 15 metres (49.2 ft) wide Proscenium, was 12 metres (39.4 ft) deep, and had a height of 21 metres (68.9 ft).
The theatre was purchased by ABC theatre company, and converted into a Cinema in 1930. and was used up to the Second World War in 1939. Throughout the war, the Olympia was used as a Royal Naval Depot.
After the war, the Olympia did not re-open and was sold to Mecca Leisure Group
Mecca Leisure Group
Mecca Leisure Group was a British business that ran nightclubs, hotels, theme parks, bingo parlors, and Hard Rock Cafes. During the 1960s they were the centre of entertainment with numerous nightclubs throughout major UK towns and cities. Mecca ballrooms were used for the BBC TV show Come Dancing...
in 1948. The Olympia was converted to a Ballroom, and was renamed the Locarno. The Locarno was the converted into a bingo hall between 1964 and 1982 before being closed and re-opening between 1987 and 1990.
Today
The Olympia reopened in the 1990s, and after substantial renovations is currently used as a venue for all kinds of events including boxing, dance showcases, music concerts and more recently wrestling events (including Ring of Honor's 2006 & 2007 shows in the UK, and TNA's 2008 UK tour). The Olympia is owned by the same company as The Grafton BallroomThe Grafton Ballroom
The Grafton Ballroom was an entertainment centre in Liverpool, England that on opened on February 2, 1924. it was a purpose-built dance hall able to accommodate 1200 dancers. It was built next to the Locarno Ballroom which is now known as the Liverpool Olympia...
s next door.
The Olympia is also a playable arena on the TNA iMPACT! Video Game
TNA iMPACT! (video game)
TNA Impact! is the first video game released by the professional wrestling promotion, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . The game was developed by Midway Studios in Los Angeles and published by Midway Games...
.