History

1919 - 1949

In 1919 the Central Picture House Group obtained planning permission for a new cinema on the corner of Abbeydale Road and Marden Road. The Picture House was officially opened by the then Lord Mayor on December 20th, 1920, and it very quickly became a favourite spot for 'Sheffielders' to see silent films. At the time there were 36 cinemas across Sheffield. Most changed their programme of short films about twice a week, and there were no shows on Sundays.

The striking white building was designed by architects Dixon and Steinlet of North Shields. Built in neo-classical style, it stands on Abbeydale Road and features a domed tower, skirted by a balustrade above the main entrance. It is clad in white faience tiles, which were chosen because they were considered to be self-cleaning - a great benefit in an industrial city with a great deal of pollution. Originally there was a glass canopy along the front of the building, to shelter people as they queued for seats. This was removed in the 1970s but you can still see the supporting struts and holders.

Inside, there was a cafe and a lounge at circle level. The theatre seated 1,500 people on green velvet and mahogany seats. The rather ornate interior was classical style with Doric pillars on either side of the Proscenium Arch, and above the arch a frieze of Grecian figures. The decor was green, cream and gold - a grand and opulent place to see and be seen in!

The first event was a charity event with the film, "The Call of the Wild", supported by"The Grocery Clerk" and a Fox Newsreel. The show ran for a week, and after the gala opening, ticket prices were 2/- (two shillings), 1/3d (one & threepence),9d (ninepence) & 6d (sixpence) or 10p, 6p, 4p & 2.5p in today's money

In September 1921 the basement opened with a Billiard Hall and a Ballroom which had a sprung dance floor.

When the theatre opened there was a ten-piece orchestra under the directorship of Arnold Bagshaw. This was supplemented by a Clavorchester two-keyboard organ in October 1921, built by Brindley & Foster of Suffolk Street, Sheffield, at a cost of £3,000. It was played for the first three days by Arthur Meal (FRCO Organist and Musical Director of the Central Hall, Westminster). The programme included the music Finlandia, Marche Militaries to show off the organ, it also featured The Pathe Gazette (an animated newspaper), Picta Jokes (humour in verse, prose and pictures), The Bray Pictograph (containing "much that is interesting, instructive and amusing") plus two main features - Mildred Haven in "The Courage of the Common Race" (an Edison Super Production in 5 acts), and also Mabel Norman in "The Jinx" (a Goldwyn comedy in 5 acts).

The Abbeydale Picture House grew and grew in popularity, and in 1928 dressing rooms were added so that variety shows with a larger cast could be performed. In 1930 talking pictures arrived with "Sunny Side up". Then in 1950 the cinema was taken over by the Star Cinema Group, and in 1955 they installed Cinemascope - and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" hit the screen.

1950 - 2003

During the 1950s however, the world discovered a new phenomenon - television had arrived, and in Britain people started to stay at home to enjoy this new wonder. Sadly on July 5th 1975 the final reel ran out with Charles Bronson in "Breakout" and "The Lords of Flatbush".

In April 1976 the cinema became Drakes Office Equipment Sales. This was preferable to the proposal by Shell to demolish the picture house and replace it with a petrol station, carwash and shop. Drakes agreed to keep the Court School of Dance in the basement, and also got permission for an adjacent car park. In 1983 Drakes applied for planning permission to turn the ballroom into a snooker hall. The sprung floor was removed and replaced by concrete, and the snooker tables moved in. Ballroom dancing continued until the early '90's in what is now Bar Abbey.

On August 24th, 1989 the building was granted a Grade II listing for its architectural and historic importance. Drakes ceased trading in 1991. The business downstairs continued under the name Abbey Snooker & Bar Abbey.

Many plans for the building came to nothing - until 2003 when the Friends of the Abbeydale Picture House was formed.

2003 - present day

By 2005 Friends of the Abbeydale Picture house had secured the funding to buy the building, and since then they've achieved quite a lot:

� they bought the building
� opened Palin's Bar
� formed Abbeydale Picture House Leisure Ltd which run the Snooker Club and Bar Abbey which now hosts popular stand up comedy nights, jazz nights and Northern Soul events, as well as being available for hire for parties, book and album launches.
� established the Picture House Youth Theatre group who meet on Wednesday evening and perform on our stage two or three times each year
� provided a home to the 'Wednesday Club' - a group of Sheffield craftsmen who come together to produce props and scenery for productions across the city, as well as contributing to the renovation
� have been used as a venue for art classes for local residents
� hosted live concerts for bands and various plays for other theatre groups

If you'd like to help us, please become a Friend or have a look at how you can donate to our restoration project.