EXHIBIT
Orna Murphy-Horton
Created on March 16, 2024
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Transcript
Now home to its famous 'Morcombe and Wise' statue, the enterance to the Winter Gardens has seen over 188.5 million visitors since it opened its doors in 1878.Stop and take a look around before venturing further!
Welcome to the Winter Gardens Enterance
Due to rising visitors in the latter half of the nineteenth centuey, an interior to the building needed to be added.
A Venue
The interior should be suitbale to support entertainment acts as well as other leisurely activities such as promenading.
Like
No Other
As such, a theatre, opera house and indoor askating rink were included to help with the surge of vistors, To make the building noticble a 36.5m dome was added to the roof.
Welcome
To the Witner Gardens!
Built in 1878, The Winter Gardens is a complex of Entertainment Venues. One of the largest in the country, The Winter Gardens is still in use to this day, take a look inside to learn more about its history...
Before the railway opened, passengers used to be able ot get the train from Preston to Poulton Le Fylde, from there it was a short distance from Blackpool.Through the railways opening, this led to a big boom in tourism and as such hotels, amusments, billiards and much more began to scatter the streets of Blackpool as means of Entertainment!
Blackpool's first railway station opened in 1846!
All Aboard!
Built in 1889, the Blackpool Opera House is one of the largest Thetares in the UK! Seating 2800people it plays host to a viariety of shows throughout the year. From Musicals to Comedy, Competitions and much more!
tHE oPERA hOUSE
Shh! The Show is starting!
During the Great War, the Winter Gardens was used as a military and naval base. The ballroom was requisitioned as a place to make gas envelopes for R33-class airship. After the war ended the Ballroom was restored but it is said that if you look in the mirrors which are aligned opposite the ballroom floor, that figures dressed in uniforms can be seen on the dancefloor...
The Dancing Men
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Click the video above to learn more about the Roll of Honour!
Follwoing the takeover of Magnall and Littlewood, The Opera House as we now know it opened in 1939. The Opera House opted for a more chic Art Deco style (note the wide arches and use of pannelling!), vastloy different from Matvhams original idea.As such, a balcony level was added to the theatre as it removed its boxes and now it seats just under 2,800 patrons, making it one of the biggest Theatres in England.
How big?!
Find out more about our Restoration Projects and Restoration Fund!
To enter the ballroom, you have to desend down a rather grand staircase. However, be careful where you stand, you may encounter the lost boy.The Lost Boy can ususally be found sitting on the bottom of the steps to the ballroom, adjacent to the Ballroom floor. Usually sat with his head in his hands looking very sorry for himself, the Lost Boy is often seen looking around the ballroom for something or someone...perhaps his parents.
The Lost Boy
During an event a few years ago, a couple caught sight of the Lost Boy, wandering aimlessly near his steps. As the couple proceeded over to the boy, they called out to him asking if he was okay. The boy looked up, smiled and disappeared as if he was never there.A few years later, a group of paranomal investigators went on a hunt around the Ballroom. With them they took dousing rods, spirits boxes and audio devises. When reviewing the footage days later, the shrill scream of a young child could be heard. Had these investigators had an encounter with the Lost Boy?
- If you want to stay in highstreet, stay put!
- If you want to explore some of the entertainment that Blackpool has to offer, click the left arrow
The high street is busy and bustling with life!
We have arrived!
Known as the first working class resort, tourists from everywhere to experience Blackpool's seaside fun! Known for it's revitalising sea air, Blackpool was also seen as a 'health resort' to aid those who were sick or injured in their recovery! While acting as a critical healing aid, Blackpool is also home to a collective of 'Pleasure Palaces'; entertainment complexes which boasted grand interiors, offering the finest entertainment to all who visited!
Her Majesty's Opera House opened in 1889, with a performance Gilbert and Sullivans Yeoman of the Guard (1888).The original Opera House (desgined by architect Frank Matchem) was met with high regard for its beautiful interior designs and elegance. The theatre featured a prosenium arched stage, boxes, Dresden China was used to embelish the front of the dress circle, and the seats were upholstered in a crimson material.
The OG Opera House
However, in 1902, the archtecurial decisions of the building were given to Magnall and Littlewood and thus The Opera House was given a brand new look and all traces of Matcham's designs were gone.Many theatre historians and architecture lovers are puzzled as to why they hcose to be completely rid of Matcham's work especially since he went on to design a further 2 statemnt pieces in Blackpool. Perhaps, it was becasue of the rivalry between the Winter Gardens and the Blackpool Tower company...the two couldn't be seen with the same designs and interior!Sadly nothing remains of Matcham's work at the Winter ardens however his two other projects, The Grand Theatre and The Blackpool Tower Ballroom are still visible and in use to this day!
A Venue like no other
.The elegant refreshment room was built to eclipse the splendor of all the most gorgeously decorated Palaces of the East!Today, the building sees over 1.3 Million visitors each year! Take a moment to explore the Opera House and Ballroom in all their glory, who knows, you may even learn a thing or two!
When it was built, the Winter Gardens rivalled the most complex of entertainment venues! Inside visitors could be transported to different cultures and could visit the likes of exotic plants and could be taken back in time when exploring its magnificant halls and theatres. The original Opera house was built in 1889 and could seet up to 2,500 people, this was built to rival the newly opened Blackpool Tower with its series of attractions.Shortly after, the Empress Ballroom was opened in 1896. Built by Magnall and Littlewood, it boasted a 12,500ft dance floor, making it one of the largest in the world! Adjacent to the Ballroom was the Indian Lounge, with its exotic oreintal decor!
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Stop and take a moment to explore all the ghosties, spooks and ghouls that haunt the halls of the Empress Ballroom...
ghostly goings on
Did you know the ballroom is haunted?
Fancy a trip to the seaside? Why wouldn't you! With the newly open railway system, taking a trip to sunny shores of Blackpool has never been easier!Take a trip back in time with our interactive exhibition exploring all the things you can do to occupy your time during your visit to Blackpool!
Welcome to Victorian Blackpool
The Winter Gardens has played host to so many famous over the years. So much so that each year, the most popular act is honoured on the Roll of Honour.
Roll of honour
Can you spot any famous faces that you recognise?
In the 1860's Blackpool was considered to be a small resort, in 1861 it only had a population of 4,000! However, by the end of the 1860s, Blackpool was able to provide visitors with 2 Piers and luxurious hotels! The video above shows how busy Blackpool came to be by the end of the Nineteenth Century!
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Take a moment to explore the grandure that is the Winter Gardens! Why not stop and catch a quick show in The Opera House or get out your dancing shoes in the Empress Ballroom! The opportunities are endless!
Floral HAll
Inside the Winter Gardens
The Opera House has hosted a whole aray of people. The likes of Frank Sinatra, The rolling Stones and even The late Queen. Check out the video above about the time the Opera House played host the the Royal Viarety Performance!
Now that we have examined the past...it's time to look to the future
So...What now?
The future of venues like the Winter Gardens is uncertain. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of support from governing bodies has had a longlasting effect on the way buildings like The Winter Gardens are run.
As we mentioned before, the future is uncertain. However you could change that! Th next time you come across venues like The Winter Gardens take a moment to have a look or why not donate towards its upkeep!
Its time to take centre stage
It is up to you!